Return with us now

02. Return with us now 

“Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear...”

Those words, the prelude to each episode of The Lone Ranger, were first aired on the radio airwaves of radio station WXYZ in Detroit in 1933, the year before 48 members signed the charter creating Bethany Lutheran Church and 3 years before the members bought the Parish House.  The question of ‘Where?’ had been temporarily answered: 62 Graham Street, central in downtown Woodstock and immediately behind the Carnegie Public Library. 

However, resting on their accomplishments was not an alternative for the Lutherans.  Largely through the efforts of Rev. Orth and the Council members, permission was granted to conduct a door-to-door canvas of Woodstock to determine the feasibility of building a Lutheran church in the town.  The results of that survey are dated Sept. 1st, 1939.  By then Rev. George Orth had resigned in order to accept a call to Guelph.

Rev. J.S.Neff (grandson of the 1914 Rev. Badke) was called to Bethany and divided his efforts between St. Matthew’s, Brantford and Bethany, Woodstock for the years 1937 to 1940.  His ministry was called the Brantford-Woodstock Parish of the Canada Synod.

Rev. Julius S. Neff

St. Matthews, Brantford

That survey of 1939 was to create great concern and consternation on the growing congregation.  Submitted by Messrs. Paul W.H. Eydt and Homer W. Berner, Canvassers for the Board of American Missions of The United Lutheran Church in America, the survey did not create an entirely rosy picture.  Imagine yourself to be a Church councillor in 1939 and judge for yourself the cultural milieu and attitude facing the construction of a new church.

“The area surveyed is the town of Woodstock, located in the center of a prosperous dairy country.  It has a population of 11,418—a figure which has remained practically static during the last eight years.  The people are largely Scotch and English of the better type, living in fine, well-built homes.  They are mostly retired people and one finds few children under fourteen years of age in proportion to the total population.  Because of this general condition one finds, not unnaturally, an extremely conservative attitude prevailing among the people.”

The Parish House at 62 Graham Street also came under close scrutiny:

“The physical setup of the church is far from satisfactory.  The congregation has to worship in a very unchurchly atmosphere.  Then, too, the location, while ideal as far as accessibility is concerned, is not so psychologically.  Right next is the large Presbyterian church—the largest church in the city.

Knox Presbyterian Church

Central United Church

A block away is the Central United Church—another large church building.  This has a tendency to develop an inferiority complex in the minds of the people.  Also it has an adverse effect on outsiders who are inclined to class the Lutheran Church with the sects like the Pentecostals.”

The greatest detriment, as noted by the canvassers, seemed to be in the attitude of the general population of Woodstock.  While questioning the conservatism of the townsfolk and the Parish House location, the 1939 report goes on:

“Still another thing.  In the minds of many people, the Lutheran church and Germany are synonymous terms.  Today the feeling against Germany and anything German, is very acute.  This feeling is also directed against the Lutheran Church.  In fact, so strong was this attitude in this town, that we were forced to discontinue our canvass. People were suspicious of us and phoned the police on several occasions. ...the international situation has become so delicate that we decided that it would not be in the best interests of our church to continue the canvass.  Therefore, our canvass covered everything except the territory south of Dundas St. and east of Finkle St...”

In summary, the 1939 study specified two positive conditions but listed seven that were unfavourable.  The two favourable conditions:                                                    

“1.  Church property [62 Graham Street] centrally located, and

 2.  Good type of citizen found here.”

The unfavourable aspects of the study field were these:

“1.  There is a definite hostility toward the Lutheran Church because of its German background.  In view of the present European situation this hostility has become even more marked.

2.  Poor physical equipment of the church.  Under present conditions the building chosen is neither a good parsonage nor a good church.  Its only redeeming feature is its central location.

3.  Extreme conservatism of the population making it very difficult for a new congregation to get started.

4.  Not a strong Lutheran consciousness among the members of the congregation—many split families—one half of the family going to the Lutheran church and the other half to another.

5.  The population of the town has remained static for some years.  There are not many young people—mostly retired people.  There are no new areas opening up.

6.  The town is well-churched.

7.  The town is cut into two distinct sections by a heavily travelled main highway running along Dundas St.  This is a hindrance to Sunday School attendance, since parents living on the south side of this highway have expressed hesitancy in sending their children to the church, located on the north side.”

Well, 1939 Lutheran Church Councillor, what’s your decision?  There may be several choices, among them:  Expand the Parish House at 62 Graham Street?  Sell the building, relocate and build to suit your potential needs?  Disband and join other churches?

In the ensuing decade of the 1940s, whether through a test of faith or in blind Lutheran stubbornness, the Council and congregation of Bethany Lutheran Church chose to remain at home at 62 Graham Street.  Alea Jacta Est –The die is cast for the future.