Emmanuel Luthern Church Rosenthal

How did the Bible affect the way they lived? How were they "Doers of the word? James 1:22-27

Pastor Pempeit, a minister who organized many new
Lutheran congregations in the Prairie Provinces, was
instrumental in helping them establish their first church.
He had organized the St. Matthew Church in Spruce
Grove in June of 1891, and Rosenthal followed in October
of the same year. This same minister also served the
St. Matthew congregation in Stony Plain for two years,
until they joined the Missouri Synod. He served as Pastor
of Rosenthal from 1891 to 1898. At first, meetings were
held in the homes of members. Little written record
remains of those first years. By 1899, records reveal the
trustees to be Adam Krause, Martin Kotscherofsky,
Samual Zippel and Frank Stark.

How did their faith in God the almighty creator make a difference in their life?

Their arrival
in the Stony Plain area came only after a long and arduous
journey from their native Austria. Travelling by
train through Germany, by boat to Liverpool, by
freighter to Halifax, and then by freight cars to Winnipeg,
the last leg of their journey was to Dunmore,
Alberta. They lived in tents, dug-outs and soddies for two
years, but the drought that prevailed did not allow them
to succeed. Finally, they took the train to Red Deer, the
end of the rails at that time, and travelled the rest of the
way by oxen to Edmonton. They camped on ground that
is now occupied by the MacDonald Hotel, then travelled
to Stony Plain. Nearly 20 families comprised this first
group. They settled south of Stony Plain, in an area
called Rosenthal (Rose Valley).
Pastor Pempeit, a minister who organized many new
Lutheran congregations in the Prairie Provinces, was
instrumental in helping them establish their first church.
He had organized the St. Matthew Church in Spruce
Grove in June of 1891, and Rosenthal followed in October
of the same year. This same minister also served the
St. Matthew congregation in Stony Plain for two years,

until they joined the Missouri Synod. He served as Pastor
of Rosenthal from 1891 to 1898. At first, meetings were
held in the homes of members. Little written record
remains of those first years. By 1899, records reveal the
trustees to be Adam Krause, Martin Kotscherofsky,
Samual Zippel and Frank Stark.
By 1902 the congregation felt financially able to build a
church. One man who was of invaluable aid was Henry
Litke. He worked for the Land Titles Office, and was of
aid to many newcomers since he spoke nine languages.
He was able to obtain 40 acres from the C.P.R. Mr. Litke
later settled near what is now Hasse Lake.
In 1903 a log church was erected using volunteer
labour. The first confirmation class, in 1906, had the
following members: Albert Willie, Mrs. Magdalena
Dringenberg, Carl Hoffman and George Goebel. Mrs.
Dringenberg still lives in Stony Plain.

How did they Celebrate Christmas and Easter?
What in their life showed their relationship with Jesus Christ?

Pastor G. Poetzsh, who served the congregation from
1915 to 1935, held services in Stony Plain, taught German
writing, and held Saturday school in St. Matthew's
basement in Spruce Grove.

By 1970 Rosenthal had only 82 members. The Synod
wished Stony Plain and Rosenthal to combine, forming
one church. The congregation refused to close their
church, and kept on alone. Growth of the congregation
justified their stand, and recently they were able to expand,
adding a large new addition behind the present
church. The congregation continues to grow.

By 1925 the congregation was able to build a new
church. Peter Kulak built the tower, Jake Kulak did the
inside finishing, Henry Schneider built the altar and
pulpit, and Harry Reeves painted the bell tower. This
church is still standing, one mile south and three miles
west of the town.

How did they show the "Fruits of the Spirit" see Gal. 5:22-23?

By 1902 the congregation felt financially able to build a
church. One man who was of invaluable aid was Henry
Litke. He worked for the Land Titles Office, and was of
aid to many newcomers since he spoke nine languages.
He was able to obtain 40 acres from the C.P.R. Mr. Litke
later settled near what is now Hasse Lake.
In 1903 a log church was erected using volunteer
labour. The first confirmation class, in 1906, had the
following members: Albert Willie, Mrs. Magdalena
Dringenberg, Carl Hoffman and George Goebel. Mrs.
Dringenberg still lives in Stony Plain.
Pastor G. Poetzsh, who served the congregation from
1915 to 1935, held services in Stony Plain, taught German
writing, and held Saturday school in St. Matthew's
basement in Spruce Grove.

How did they show support for and receive strength from the church?


Pastor Pempeit, a minister who organized many new
Lutheran congregations in the Prairie Provinces, was
instrumental in helping them establish their first church.
He had organized the St. Matthew Church in Spruce
Grove in June of 1891, and Rosenthal followed in October
of the same year. This same minister also served the
St. Matthew congregation in Stony Plain for two years,
I
112
until they joined the Missouri Synod. He served as Pastor
of Rosenthal from 1891 to 1898. At first, meetings were
held in the homes of members. Little written record
remains of those first years. By 1899, records reveal the
trustees to be Adam Krause, Martin Kotscherofsky,
Samual Zippel and Frank Stark.
By 1902 the congregation felt financially able to build a
church. One man who was of invaluable aid was Henry
Litke. He worked for the Land Titles Office, and was of
aid to many newcomers since he spoke nine languages.
He was able to obtain 40 acres from the C.P.R. Mr. Litke
later settled near what is now Hasse Lake.
In 1903 a log church was erected using volunteer
labour. The first confirmation class, in 1906, had the
following members: Albert Willie, Mrs. Magdalena
Dringenberg, Carl Hoffman and George Goebel. Mrs.
Dringenberg still lives in Stony Plain.
Pastor G. Poetzsh, who served the congregation from
1915 to 1935, held services in Stony Plain, taught German
writing, and held Saturday school in St. Matthew's
basement in Spruce Grove.
By the spring of 1919 the second, and present
graveyard was in use. George Kulak and Jake Hoffman
planted the spruce on the west side, trees which are now
thirty feet tall. The first graveyard, which has since been
allowed to grow over, was north of the church.
By 1925 the congregation was able to build a new
church. Peter Kulak built the tower, Jake Kulak did the
inside finishing, Henry Schneider built the altar and
pulpit, and Harry Reeves painted the bell tower. This
church is still standing, one mile south and three miles
west of the town.
How did their belief in eternal life affect the way they lived and died.?


The pastors who served through the years were: Pastor
Pempeit, 1891-1898; G. Poensgen, 1898; Gunstan Runge,
1900-1902; J. Goes, 1903-1913; G. Daeschel, 1914; G.
Poetzsh, 1915-1935; J. Bergbusch, 1936-1948; A. Wilke,
1949-1954; Herbert O. Hartig, 1954-1957; Louis F.
Schoepp, 1958-1965; and Glen Carlson 1965 to the
present.
July 10, 1938, Baptisms.

Pastor Pempeit, a minister who organized many new
Lutheran congregations in the Prairie Provinces, was
instrumental in helping them establish their first church.
He had organized the St. Matthew Church in Spruce
Grove in June of 1891, and Rosenthal followed in October
of the same year. This same minister also served the
St. Matthew congregation in Stony Plain for two years,
I
112
until they joined the Missouri Synod. He served as Pastor
of Rosenthal from 1891 to 1898. At first, meetings were
held in the homes of members. Little written record
remains of those first years. By 1899, records reveal the
trustees to be Adam Krause, Martin Kotscherofsky,
Samual Zippel and Frank Stark.
By 1902 the congregation felt financially able to build a
church. One man who was of invaluable aid was Henry
Litke. He worked for the Land Titles Office, and was of
aid to many newcomers since he spoke nine languages.
He was able to obtain 40 acres from the C.P.R. Mr. Litke
later settled near what is now Hasse Lake.
For each of the above questions ask what motivated the actions taken?

Nearly 20 families comprised this first
group. They settled south of Stony Plain, in an area
called Rosenthal (Rose Valley).
Pastor Pempeit, a minister who organized many new
Lutheran congregations in the Prairie Provinces, was
instrumental in helping them establish their first church.
He had organized the St. Matthew Church in Spruce
Grove in June of 1891, and Rosenthal followed in October
of the same year. This same minister also served the
St. Matthew congregation in Stony Plain for two years,
until they joined the Missouri Synod. He served as Pastor
of Rosenthal from 1891 to 1898.