KORNTHAL LUTHERAN CHURCH SURVIVES FOR 134 YEARS

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Even though the Kornthal Lutheran congregation disbanded in 1949, the 134-year-old church building the congregation used is still in good condition and an important part of the history and culture of Southern Illinois.

The Gothic style building, with a steeple reaching 85 feet into the air, has changed very little over the years. Situated in the countryside about three miles south of Jonesboro off Highway 127, the church and nearby parsonage offer a trip back in time.

Theodore Hase, a retired Union County school teacher who has been involved with groups formed to preserve the building since 1949, pointed out that people in the area have worked to support the building and he anticipates them continuing to do so in the years ahead.

In December 1980, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

In 1948, the Kornthal congregation voted to disband because of declining membership. At that point, representatives of Lutheran churches in the area came forward to organize the Kornthal Congregational and Historical Society.

A board of directors oversaw maintenance of the building and held special services and events over the years.

Today, there is an annual ice-cream social and gospel sing, and services on Easter and Thanksgiving. Money raised from those events are used for upkeep. In addition, several weddings are held at the church each year.

A caretaker lives next to the church to insure the grounds are well kept, and the building is open every day but Monday for visitors to look through.

Inside, the church looks much like it did when the building was finished in 1860 and dedicated in 1861. An old wooden floor has been replaced with a concrete floor covered with carpet; otherwise, the structure looks much the same.

"We had to tear that floor out some time ago and have put in carpet, but outside of that the church is just like it was in the beginning," said Hase. "It really hasn't changed a bit. You won't find many churches constructed this way anymore."

The original pews, built from white poplar, are still in the church.

"The pews that are there are the ones the settlers used, and they are not very easy to sit on," said Hase.

The exterior and interior has hand carvings, including one on the altar, which has the German words meaning "Keep Christ in your heart" inscribed with the "all-seeing eye" of the Lord carved above.

The church includes a balcony and a 12-step-high pulpit common in German churches. Hase pointed out that the 12 steps leading to the upper pulpit symbolize the 12 disciples of Jesus.

"There's a saying around here that if any of those steps break down, that's the Judas step," remarked Hase.

At one time, a parochial school was on the site, but it has been gone for years, Hase said.

The roots of Kornthal date back to Austria, from where a group of Lutheran families came to America in search of religious freedom and peace. A man named Lichtenwagner was sent ahead to find a suitable place for their settlement, and he found a valley in Southern Illinois that looked much like the homeland.

On July 4, 1852, the Austrians arrived at Willards Landing north of Cape Girardeau, and as soon as they found land on which to build their homes they began to think about a place to worship.

Construction of the church actually began in early 1853 with the laying of the 30-by-50-foot foundation of limestone blocks. Others proceeded with the raising of the framework; Charles Fettinger carved the wainscoting, which are the fans over the windows and doors.

Services were held even before the church was finished, and a dedication was held in 1861. In 1889 a bell tower was dedicated.

After the Kornthal congregation disbanded in 1948, members of the association that took it over had difficulty raising funds for the church. Finally, in 1958, the site was given to the state of Illinois for the purpose of creating a memorial park.

From 1958-65 the state repaired and painted the church and parsonage, and oil heaters were added to the church. But after the work was finished, the head of parks and playgrounds for the state of Illinois announced that the site would be closed.

So in 1965, a nine-member board was formed, including Hase, to take over the site. The state deeded it back to the Kornthal Union County Memorial. That group has maintained it ever since.

Hase said the current group has done well keeping the church up and holding special events, and the church will be there for many years.

"Financially, we are doing okay, but right now the church needs painting," said Hase. About half of the $2,700 it will take to paint the building has been raised.

Hase will be ending his long association with the Kornthal Union County Memorial group this year, having announced earlier this month that he plans to retire from the board. "We are supposed to serve three year terms, and I guess my three years have never been up because I have been there for 30 years," said Hase.

"Whoever takes it over, I hope they fight as hard as I have and others have to keep it going," Hase said. "I think there are plenty of people willing to work on keeping it going. I see no reason why it won't be there a long time."