This Week in Odessa History

Country churches were to be found every few miles throughout the countryside in the early day Odessa area. Usually they were served by itinerant ministers, who either traveled by horseback or by wagon to where their several congregations. Often it was two or three weeks, sometimes six weeks, before the pastor could make the rounds.

The Emmanuel Lutheran church, five miles south of Lauer, was one of the early churches of Odessa rural area. But just as the trend was way from the country churches as these congregations consolidated with like denominations in Odessa, Emmanuel Lutheran built a new church in the country.

The year was 1927. The pastor was the Rev. Henry Brockman, who also served the Zion Lutheran Church of Lamona.

The Emmanuel Lutheran Church’s new edifice was dedicated on November 27, 1927. The original church building, which stood beside it, was used as a social hall.

Services were held there until the merger of Emmanuel Lutheran and Zion Lutheran at the end of 1958. On January 25, 1959, the combined congregation dedicated its new church on the south hill overlooking Odessa.

Four hundred and fifty people filled teh new Emmanuel Lutheran Church south of Lauer to overflowing at its three dedicatory services which were held Sunday.

Few churches have ever been built with the rapidity this one was. It was just one month from teh time the meeting was held to raise funds until the church was dedicated.

The dimensions of the building are 28x56 feet. The building has a spire which reaches 46 feet above the ground a bell to call members to worship.

The church has a regular seating capacity for 225, with provisions for overflow meetings. This, however, did not care for the crowd Sunday, when all available standing room was taken.

Most surprising is the remarkably low cost of the new building. Pastor Brockman told The Record that the actual cash outlay for the new building was only $1,800. This was made possible by labor contributions from the membership. The church has a membership roll of 140, which represents only 20 families.

100 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

December 26, 1913

The most important money measure since the Reconstruction days is now the law of the land. With a few strokes of his pen at 6 o’clock last Tuesday evening President Wilson converted into a law the measure known as the Federal Reserve Act, commonly called the currency bill, and put in motion the machinery for the creation of free and uncontrolled credits throughout America at the disposal of the merchants and manufacturers of the country for the first time in fifty years.

The event came at the close of a day of rejoicing in the national capital, for congress had recessed for two weeks for the first time since it convened last April. The democratic leaders were jubilant because they had completed two big pieces of legislation – the tariff and the currency reform – in nine months, a performance which is considered unprecedented in the history of the country.

75 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

December 29,1938

Odessa failed to have a white Christmas this year. Snow lay heavy till Friday morning, then thawing. A steady wind Saturday night dried roads. Monday night a new snow fell too late for Christmas. Thawing weather soon melted the fall.

Just as the minority of the supreme court predicted in their dissenting opinion federal authorities have notified the state that if the latter attempts to carry out the majority opinion and pay pensions to those who have relatives and other to support them, the federal funds will be cut off. Up to now the federal authorities have been contributing dollar for dollar with the state for old age “assistance,” but the federal laws will not permit use of government for old age “pensions” for those not in need.

50 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

December 26,1963

It is all in the point of view as to whether there is a white Christmas or not. In town the snow lies nicely on lawns, while on the travelled streets is slushy and going fast.

In the country, the fields retain their snow. For three weeks the snows buildup with occasional falls. Perhaps about seven inches fell. Starting last week the thawing temperature have been cutting this deposit, aided by winds. The disappearance has been slow and it is generally believed the snow had lain long enough to draw most of the frost out of the ground, so the slow melting snow could soak in.

Christian tradition says that Christmas was first celebrated in A.D. 98. However, it was well into the fourth century before the celebration became general.

Actually, it wasn’t until about A.D. 340 that December 25 was established as the uniform date for the celebration. The date was fixed after a very careful investigation by Christian authorities.

Several centuries ago the celebration was confined to the solemn rejoicing and religious dedication, with none of the modern gaiety.

The New England puritans even banned joyous yuletide demonstration in those days. Eventually, New Englanders and other Americans followed the lead of the New York Dutch Settlers and succumbed to the charm of Saint Nick or Santa Claus.

Even so, the jolly gent had a flourishing career long before he reached our shores. More than 1,600 years ago there was a St. Nicholas, a Turkish bishop whose countless works of charity made him a legend in his own time. Martyred in A.D. 342, he became the patron saint of all children of three nations, Greece, Holland and Belgium.

People pictured St. Nicholas on a white horse but when his fame spread to the Scandinavian countries the horse in the apparition gave way to a reindeer-drawn sled. The Scandinavians also gave him his red suit, a hand-me-down from the ancient Norse God, Thor.

10 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

December 25, 2003

The Town of Odessa was in full Christmas swing last Saturday evening. The Odessa Lions Club announced that they would be driving around on December 20 for the annual judging of Christmas lights. The Crab Creek Coffee Haus located at the west end of First Avenue won first place this year. Scotty Bacon and her crew worked evenings and weekends to get her business looking as good as it did. Second place went to Roland and Jennifer Singer located on east First Avenue/ At the east end of town on Second Avenue the Greg Luiten and Stephanie Alloway/Mark Smiths houses shared third place. Judges weren’t sure of the property line, due to all the lights and declared it a tie.

25 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

December 29, 1988

Odessa Junior Miss Miss Teresa Repp will be one of 44 high school seniors from across the state in competition for the title of Washington’s Junior Miss 1989.

The Odessa Memorial Hospital has announced plans to establish a support group dealing with the long-term problems of the elderly.

“A series of films will be shown on ‘You and Your Aging Parent,’” a hospital spokesman said in making the announcement. “A group discussion will follow each session.”