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Rev.
M.H. Feddersen is credited with organizing our beloved Trinity
Lutheran congregation. Rev. John Karrer of
Leland wrote that on the 11th
Sunday after Trinity, 1881, he ordained
Candidate M.H. Feddersen as preacher of the Evangelical Lutheran
congregation in Petoskey, Michigan and at the same
time as missionary for northern Michigan.
This was done in the stead of the District President and in the presence of his
congregation in Petoskey. Candidate Feddersen graduated from Concordia Seminary,
Springfield, Illinois in 1881. In Rev. Feddersen’s obituary, printed in
THE LUTHERAN WITNESS
(30 April 1940) it reads, “after his
graduation in 1881, he became circuit preacher with headquarters at Petoskey,
Michigan.
His
ordination took place September 4, 1881, Pastor John
Karrer of Leland officiating". The obituary states "His preaching circuit
included ten stations in the course of time".
The
above information was researched very carefully by Rev. Bodling of Concordia
Historical Institute, St. Louis, Missouri.
Trinity's
records show M.H. Feddersen visited
Traverse City on May 16, July 16 and October 6, 1882. These records (in German)
are signed by Pastor Feddersen himself as “secretair”.
His
last entry was on May 3, 1885 after which Rudolf Wiedoeft became the "secretair".
He made visits to Traverse City four times in 1883:
March, May, Junes and September. The entry on March 25, 1883 recorded the
organization of Trinity Lutheran Church on Easter afternoon at Grace Episcopal
Church - located at that time on State Street. An interesting
historical note is that Perry Hannah also donated that lot on State Street to
Grace Episcopal. Hannah, a pioneer of the Grand Traverse Region, donated
the Seventh and Oak Street site where Trinity built its first
church. In July, 1883, Perry Hannah gave
Trinity congregation. a
Warranty Deed and it was recorded in the Register's Office on August 25, 1883.
The
lot next door to the gift lot on Seventh and Oak Streets was purchased from
Perry
Hannah for $150 in 1883. A mortgage was
taken
by the congregation with Hannah Lay and Company for $150 at 7%
interest from August 15 to November 10, 1883 when it was paid. Later on a
parsonage was built on this lot.
Several of Trinity's members have owned
this
home.
During
Pastor Feddersen's ministry to Trinity a church was built and dedicated.
A Sunday School was mentioned for the first time in April 1884.
He
also carefully recorded the first elected officers which were trustees, elders
and collectors. and the first building committee. The first collection
of
$25.80 was recorded on dedication day of the new church. July 13, 1884.
In
1884 Pastor Feddersen made nine visits to Traverse City and then three more
visits in
1885
with his last entry being on May 3, 1885. Rev. John Harsch
succeeded Pastor Feddersen in 1885.
Pastor
Fedderson had four children: Concordia born 5/3/1883, Ernst born 10/14/1886,
Walter born 5/6/1890 and Herbert born 1/6/1903.
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