On a visit to Rhineland in 2009, we found a plywood sign had been
erected at the rear of the cemetery. Our photo of the sign appears to the
right. Our transcription of the sign follows [paragraph breaks inserted by
the transcriber]:
"St. Peter's Lutheran Church
"More than one hundred and fifty years
ago, a number of familes enigrated from Germany to Middleton township
seeking civil and religious liberty.
"As early as 1848 the settlers of
Lutheran faith gathered in homes for Sunday reading services. However on
Feb. 28 1854 the first Lutheran service conducted by a pastor, was held in
Middleton Twsp. On April 3 of the same year St. Peter's Ev. Lutheran
congregation was organized and became affiliated with the Missouri Synod.
"Three acres of land, a part of Lot 36,
Con. 2. S.T.R. was donated to the congregation on which to build a church
school parsonage & cemetery. It was on this property that the first
church building was erected, a log structure 22 ft. wide, 32 ft. long. On
April 14, 1858 it was dedicated to the Glory of God.
"Eight years later a second frame
church was erected. This time a more suitable property was chosen at
Rhineland, a place one-half mile north of the first site being the present
location of St. Peter's Lutheran Church situated 3 miles west of Delhi and
one mile south.
"The first parsonage was later moved
and converted into a school. The cemetery on the original property is
still preserved and restored.
"It was not until 1913 that a larger
ediface of brick was constructed. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by
lightening in September 1937. In May 1938 the construction of the present
beautiful church was completed.
"This brief history of the first
Lutheran church in this community is a constant reminder of the boundless
blessings from God.
H.B. & C.L. 2004"
