 Summer 1962 at St.
Paul proved quite busy, as three vacancies needed filling. Carleen
Kleinschrodt replaced Joanna Rafert as teacher, then Teacher Raymond
Bachmann left Louisville, Kentucky to replaced Teacher Schmiege. Finally,
Rev. Norman Kuck of Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Rochester, Michigan
replaced Pastor Schulenberg as St. Paul's 12th Pastor.
Other teachers began serving as
assistants to the principal and St. Paul in succeeding years. These
individuals were Thelma Standiford, Dennis Witenberger, and Judith
Westermann. Teacher Bachmann and Mrs. Standiford also later became
teachers at Wyneken Memorial Lutheran School.
The efforts toward school consolidation resumed in 1965, as the circuit
resolved to complete this issue within three years. In Summer, 1966, there
was a proposed consolidation involving 5 of Decatur's 6 Lutheran schools.
St. Paul's, along with Zion-Friedheim, Immanuel-Union, St. Peter-Fuelling,
and Zion-Decatur would be merged under the plan, with all meeting at
Zion-Decatur. By January, 1967, Union was not a part of that plan.
In 1967, the consolidation now included St. John-Bingen, St. Paul,
Zion-Friedheim, and St. Peter-Fuelling. Fuelling chose not to particpate,
and by November 1968 the consolidation of the three remaining churches was
accepted. The new school would be located at St. John-Bingen, with Preble
and Friedheim providing four mobile classrooms.
It was the students of St. Paul Lutheran School who named the new school.
The three schools held a contest to select the new name. The new
association was known as Wyneken Memorial Lutheran School, a tribute to
Rev. F. C. D. Wyneken, a pioneer circuit rider preacher and teacher.
Pastor Wyneken, best known for his "yellow breeches", served as
missionary pastor in northeast Indiana and was the 2nd President of The
Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod.
The new school opened in September 1969. There were around 200 students in
grades 1-8 instructed by a faculty of eight. Teacher Richard Bultemeyer of
Zion-Friedheim became Wyneken's 1st Principal.
Teacher Raymond Bachmann became the minister of music and youth director
at St. Paul following the merger. He also served Wyneken as a teacher and
choral director. He accepted a call to serve St. John, Aurora, Indiana as
principal and music director in 1972. His replacement, Teacher Kenneth
Germann, served St. Paul and Wyneken as music director and teacher until
1999.
Several centennial recognitions were held during 1973. Pastor Walter
Moeller returned to preach on May 8th, but Pastor Louis Schulenberg could
not return due to illness. In November, Pastor Busse celebrated the 60th
anniversary of his ordination. The congregation also renovated the pipe
organ, as well as installing indoor organ chimes (with funding for the
latter coming from the Paul Bieberich foundation memorial grant).
Pastors Kuck and Busse undertook a project in 1974 to verify all burial
records and tombstones at St. Paul. Fred Bieberich used this information
to develop a book and create a large map of the cemetery layout. (Click
here to see the cemetery records).
Several events of note took place in 1976. The congregation recognize the
national bicentennial with a special service of thanks. That same Summer,
St. Paul agreed to participate in the Student Parish Field Education
program. This allowed students at Concordia
Theological Seminary (newly relocated to Fort Wayne from Springfield,
Illinois) to receive hands-on training for their future ministries. Also
in 1976, further improvements took place in the church facilities, as the
front doors were replaced.
In 1978, St. Paul's annual budget surpassed $100,000 for the first time.
Also, expansion was undertaken at Wyneken, with the addition of six new
classrooms north of the existing wing.
Pastor Kuck retired from the ministry on April 22, 1979. He passed away in
March of 1988. He and his wife, Dorothy, both lay at rest in the St. Paul Cemetery.
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