Deutsche Evangelische Friedensgemeinde: A Brief History of Friedens UCC St. Charles
“In the still seclusion of the Missouri forests, where nature still reigns supreme, there it must be better.
There many hearts shaken by storms will find peace.”—Friedrich Steines’ letter, April 1834, quoted in the
book “German Settlement in Missouri,” Burnett & Luebbering
The founders of Friedens were German immigrants who came to America from the province of
Westphalia in search of a better life. They had left behind economic hardship, political turmoil, and a
government-controlled religion. Attracted by glowing reports of this region by German writers such as
Gottfried Duden, the first families of Friedens arrived in 1833, after a long sea voyage to New Orleans,
then by riverboat to St. Louis, and finally to this area of St. Charles, where they established a farming
community.
They began worshipping together in their log cabin homes, attended to by traveling ministers on
horseback. The first of these to conduct services for the Friedens families was Herman Garlichs, who
helped establish other area churches, and was instrumental in forming the German Evangelical Church
Society of the West. Over 20 pastors have served Friedens over the succeeding years.
In 1834, Robert Spencer, owner of a Spanish Land Grant, gave permission for the Friedens
congregation to use one acre of ground on which to construct a log church and establish a cemetery. In
1835 a log school building was constructed and a teacher from Germany was hired to serve for room and
board. A one-room brick school building was built later.
In 1837, Pastor Phillip Heyer became Friedens’ first stationary minister. He helped the congregation
organize fully, adopt a constitution, and begin the first written records. The first church council members
were Steffen Heinrich Freese, John Henry Hackmann, Steffen Heinrich Diekamp, Philipp Merten, John
Henry Schmiemeier, and John Henry Westermeier. Many of these pioneers have descendents
worshipping at Friedens today.
In 1839, ten acres of property, including the log church and cemetery, were conveyed by Robert
Spencer to Pastor Heyer for his congregation, the “Deutsche Evangelische Friedensgemeinde,” (meaning
“Congregation of Peace”) for the sum of $1.00. The log church was replaced that same year by a church
built of native limestone. That church was replaced by a brick church in 1864, using the old church’s
stones for the foundation, and bricks made by congregation members themselves. The building served the
congregation until 1962, when the cornerstone for the present building was laid. A brick parsonage built in
1850 (once described as “the Palace of the West”) no longer stands, but a fellowship hall built in 1937 is
still here. It’s been renovated and is now the Celebration Center.
From Friedens came the beginning of two other congregations in the St. Charles area. In 1842 both
Lutheran and Reformed families worshipped at Friedens. Friction between the groups led to some
Lutheran members leaving to help form Immanuel Lutheran Church of St. Charles in 1847. In 1864, St.
John’s Evangelical Church, now UCC, was formed to facilitate members who lived in town.
Worship services at Friedens were conducted in German until 1926. Friedens School, which once
stood on what is now Highway 94, closed its doors in 1942, after educating several generations of Friedens
children. Saeger Middle School in Cottleville is named for the Friedens schoolmaster of 55 years, Louis
Saeger, who also served as the church organist.
From its humble rural beginnings and the 31 members who signed the original constitution, Friedens
has grown into an enduring part of the religious landscape of St. Charles County. Our members continue
to serve God in Christian education, fellowship and service organizations, worship arts, and involvement in
missions and community needs. Praise God for what we’ve accomplished, and may we continue to serve
our Creator and Redeemer for many years to come!
“In the still seclusion of the Missouri forests, where nature still reigns supreme, there it must be better.
There many hearts shaken by storms will find peace.”—Friedrich Steines’ letter, April 1834, quoted in the
book “German Settlement in Missouri,” Burnett & Luebbering
The founders of Friedens were German immigrants who came to America from the province of
Westphalia in search of a better life. They had left behind economic hardship, political turmoil, and a
government-controlled religion. Attracted by glowing reports of this region by German writers such as
Gottfried Duden, the first families of Friedens arrived in 1833, after a long sea voyage to New Orleans,
then by riverboat to St. Louis, and finally to this area of St. Charles, where they established a farming
community.
They began worshipping together in their log cabin homes, attended to by traveling ministers on
horseback. The first of these to conduct services for the Friedens families was Herman Garlichs, who
helped establish other area churches, and was instrumental in forming the German Evangelical Church
Society of the West. Over 20 pastors have served Friedens over the succeeding years.
In 1834, Robert Spencer, owner of a Spanish Land Grant, gave permission for the Friedens
congregation to use one acre of ground on which to construct a log church and establish a cemetery. In
1835 a log school building was constructed and a teacher from Germany was hired to serve for room and
board. A one-room brick school building was built later.
In 1837, Pastor Phillip Heyer became Friedens’ first stationary minister. He helped the congregation
organize fully, adopt a constitution, and begin the first written records. The first church council members
were Steffen Heinrich Freese, John Henry Hackmann, Steffen Heinrich Diekamp, Philipp Merten, John
Henry Schmiemeier, and John Henry Westermeier. Many of these pioneers have descendents
worshipping at Friedens today.
In 1839, ten acres of property, including the log church and cemetery, were conveyed by Robert
Spencer to Pastor Heyer for his congregation, the “Deutsche Evangelische Friedensgemeinde,” (meaning
“Congregation of Peace”) for the sum of $1.00. The log church was replaced that same year by a church
built of native limestone. That church was replaced by a brick church in 1864, using the old church’s
stones for the foundation, and bricks made by congregation members themselves. The building served the
congregation until 1962, when the cornerstone for the present building was laid. A brick parsonage built in
1850 (once described as “the Palace of the West”) no longer stands, but a fellowship hall built in 1937 is
still here. It’s been renovated and is now the Celebration Center.
From Friedens came the beginning of two other congregations in the St. Charles area. In 1842 both
Lutheran and Reformed families worshipped at Friedens. Friction between the groups led to some
Lutheran members leaving to help form Immanuel Lutheran Church of St. Charles in 1847. In 1864, St.
John’s Evangelical Church, now UCC, was formed to facilitate members who lived in town.
Worship services at Friedens were conducted in German until 1926. Friedens School, which once
stood on what is now Highway 94, closed its doors in 1942, after educating several generations of Friedens
children. Saeger Middle School in Cottleville is named for the Friedens schoolmaster of 55 years, Louis
Saeger, who also served as the church organist.
From its humble rural beginnings and the 31 members who signed the original constitution, Friedens
has grown into an enduring part of the religious landscape of St. Charles County. Our members continue
to serve God in Christian education, fellowship and service organizations, worship arts, and involvement in
missions and community needs. Praise God for what we’ve accomplished, and may we continue to serve
our Creator and Redeemer for many years to come!
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| Friedens UNITED CHURCH of Christ located in historic St. Charles, Missouri |
