Epiphany Church

Epiphany Lutheran Church

A HISTORY OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY

Inspired by the Spirit of God and faithful to the Lords commission, the Rev. George H.

Behringer, D. D. in the early fall of 1907 suggested to the Synod of New York and New

Jersey that the Bedford section of Brooklyn that the Bedford section of Brooklyn might be

an area where a Lutheran church could be organized. Pastor Behringer knew the Borough of

Brooklyn was an immigrant city in constant change with people moving in and out of the neighborhood. The community was growing. There was no Lutheran church in the

neighborhood.

The Rev. Carl Zinssmeister, D. D; Missionary Superintendent of the Synod, canvassed the

area with favorable results. On February 9,1908, a special meeting was called to make the necessary arrangements and a week later the first regular service was held at 841 Sterling Place, Brooklyn. It was largely a church of English speaking Germans.

The name the Evangelical Lutheran Church was chosen because the first service was held in the season of Epiphany. The Missionary Superintendent conducted services until a pastor could be called.

The Rev. W. H. Stutts, D. D was called to be Epiphany's first pastor, beginning his ministry in September 1908. Pastor Stutts is a builder leading Epiphany' s charter members to evangelize and build up Christ’s church. The congregation and Sunday School steadily grew

March 17, 1909 the adjoining property was purchased for a chapel ground was broken Ju1y 11, the cornerstone was laid September 19, and the church was dedicated March 13, 1910.

This began the tradition of using the Epiphany season celebrate what God was doing at

Epiphany. On February 16, 1913, the third mortgage was burned. By Epiphany's tenth birthday celebration the church liquidated its indebtedness and became self-supporting and

was released from the support of the Board of Home Missions and Church Extension.

God continued to bless the ministry and on the 15^th anniversary, plans were presented to

expand the chapel. At the same time an offer was made for the property at Sterling Place.

The congregation voted to sell, relocate a and build a "Greater Epiphany.” Title was transferred April 28, 1925, property was purchased on Lincoln Place, and the congregation

secured temporary housing in the Primitive Methodist Church waiting for the new building

to be completed.

Representatives of the United Lutheran Church, other denominations, the Mayor of New York and president of the Borough of Brooklyn participated in the ground breaking for the

new church and parish house on June 7, 1925. An even larger and more enthusiastic

audience were present when the cornerstone was laid on October 18, 1925 as People celebrated in the Spirit of God. The new building, in modified Early English Gothic style,

was dedicated Sunday, September 26,1926 with more than 800 in attendance. Services followed on Monday through Friday when a congregational banquet was held in the new

church basement.

The "Greater Epiphany" was God's work. The hearts of those who worked so hard for the

Lord sang with the hymnist:

"I love Thy Zion, Lord,

Thy house of Thine abode.

The Church our blest Redeemer saved

With His own precious Blood."

In 1930, Redeemer Lutheran Church on Eastern Parkway and Troy was unable to meet their financial needs and decided to merge with Epiphany. Pastor Stutts held Sunday afternoon

services there for one year as a mission site. Due to a lack of growth the site was abandoned.

After twenty-five years serving Epiphany and in failing health, Pastor Stutts resigned

November 27, 1933 and was named pastor emeritus.

Jesus still lead on, till our rest be won;

Heavenly Leader, still direct us,

Still support, console, protect us,

Till we safely stand in our fatherland!

The Rev. T.G. Hartwig was called and assumed his duties as pastor on January 29,1934. Under his pastorate the church continued to grow. By a unique life insurance plan where

members loaned the church a sum of money, and the church obtains a 20year life insurance

policy. The mortgage was reduced considerably. The members received insurance for the

amount lent. The $75,000 mortgage was reduced to $29,000 by January 1947.

The church records and memorials mention the frequent donations of cash and material by

Mr. Louis Meyer and Mr. Charles Hartmann. Their love of God, loyalty to Epiphany, financial gifts, and time helped the Lord move His church forward during the first fifty years. The church's 40th Anniversary was moved from a February celebration to May when the weather would be better. Regrettably, Epiphany’s history of forty years closed with the passing of Pastor Hartwig who died of heart attack on March 2, 1948. Epiphany turned to the Lord for comfort and consolation as they celebrated pastor Hartwig's entrance to the Church Triumphant. The Anniversary was canceled out of respect for him as the congregation dealt with its grief for a pastor they loved very much, who had labored wholeheartedly and self-sacrificially.

Yet she on earth has union with God the Three in One.

And mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won.

O blessed heav’nly chorus! Lord, save us by your grace,

That we like saints before us, may see you face to face.

The Rev. Paul E. Arnold was called as Epiphany third pastor. He assumed his duties on October 19, 1948. Pastor Arnold’s wife, Beatrice was the daughter of Pastor Flander who was of Redeemer Church, which merged with Epiphany.

Under Pastor Arnold's guidance an emphasis was placed on the care of children so parents could worship. Choirs for youth were started. Through cooperation, giving, and hard work from all church groups, enough money was received to pay off the mortgage. They celebrated on February 16, 1956, Epiphany’s 48^th birthday.

Due to poor health, Pastor Arnold resigned to accept a call to serve a church in West Palm Beach, Florida. He preached his last sermon at Epiphany in June 1955. The church sang, Lead on, O King eternal:

We follow, not with fears,

For gladness breaks like morning

Where’er thy face appears:

Thy cross is lifted o‘er us: We journey in its light;

The crown awaits the conquest; Lead on, O God of might.

The Rev. William Henry Schiemann was called to be the forth pastor of Epiphany. He began

his ministry November 1955. During the summer of 1957 he studied with religious

communities in Scotland and France; namely Iona and Taise. He was convinced that

community life is the epitome of the Christian witness wherein we are able to serve in a

transition area of our city, and meet the demands of an ever changing congregation and

community. The neighborhood was changing racially and the church should reflect this

change. Pastor Schiemann received his Masters of Science in Education from Wagner

College, Staten Island, New York in 1960. Under his leadership by the generosity of God,

Epiphany Lutheran Elementary School opened in 1961. There were 20 children in

Kindergarten thru Eight Grade. The school steadily grew to become one of Brooklyn’s finest

parochial schools. That growth necessitated expansion. In 1964 major renovations were

made to the building to accommodate the school and land was purchased for playground and

garden. An adjacent house was purchased and leveled and the lot paved for parking and

playground. The men of the church built the cloisters behind the church. In 1967 an addition

was made to provide a library and two classrooms. In 1968 nine classrooms and school

offices were added. In 1969 adjacent houses were purchased as teacher’s quarters and named

Patmos. In 1974 the Jesus Joy Center was established out of the old carriage house of the

apartment houses on Eastern Parkway. In 1976 the Junior High School (Ephesus) was built

in the backyards of the St. John’s apartments. In 1977 the science Building (Phillipi) was

dedicated. The Gospel Choir was organized to tour Europe in 1973 and 1977. In 1978 the

Epiphany Lutheran High School was opened that students might receive a full Christ

centered education. An appeal was made to pastors who might be interested in living at

Epiphany while teaching. At one point Epiphany Lutheran School was the largest Lutheran

School in the nation. After 30 years of service, Pastor Schiemann retired in 1985. He had

dedicated his whole life pastoral ministry to Epiphany. In honor of him the church sang,

Praise to the lord, who will prosper your work and defend you,

Surely His goodness and mercy shall daily attend you.

Ponder anew what the Almighty can do

If with His love He befriend you.

The Rev. William Purdy was called as the fifth pastor of Epiphany and began his ministry 1985. Attention was given to audits, accounting and building concerns, including the repair

of the church façade and certificates of occupancy. During this transition time in Epiphany’s

history, The Rev. Larry Bailey was called as Principal, the Rev. Larry Johnson and the Rev.

Andrew Robin were called as Teachers of Religion. The four pastors worked to rebuild the

school and organize the committees of the church. In 1989 Pastor Purdy resigned and

preached his farewell sermon on February 26. Pastor Bailey willingly assumed the position

of Interim with the help of the other pastors on staff. The Rev. Daniel Anderson also taught

in the high school and as a seminarian The Rev. Leo Longan taught music before accepting

a call to a church in Clairton Pennsylvania. Eight computers were purchased and a computer

became a part of the curriculum. The interim was unusually long and the dual

responsibilities an arduous task, but pastor Bailey persevered in times of great frustration.

The church sang at every Stations,

To Thee, eternal Three in One.

Let homage meet by all he done;

As by the Cross thou dost restore,

So rule and guide us evermore.

The Rev; Robert L. Gahagen was called as the sixth pastor of Epiphany. He began his

work on October 14, 1991. With a strong commitment to the city and a passionate belief in

the priesthood of all believers, Pastor Gahagen called on everyone to be the church's ministers and as disciples to discover what God was calling each to do. Women were admitted to all positions of service, including acolytes, and all people were encouraged to grow spiritually through prayer and the bible study. The church was encouraged to reflect

the heritage of the people in the community while being true to the faith of our church.

Pastor Schiemann was named pastor emeritus. Mrs. Cordelia M. Gaither-Givens, a child of

Epiphany Church and a graduate and a teacher of Epiphany School were named Pastoral

Assistant and Principal.

In 1992 the Day Camp was started to develop Christian leaders among youth and to provide

safe and wholesome summer program for children. The camp has grown every year. In 1994

Youth Ministry was organized and a Music Ministry establish to reflect the sounds and

rhythms of the present church membership. The church became involved in the community

organizing as a part of Central Brooklyn Churches. Epiphany committed itself to be a “Light

for Christ in Crown Heights.” Due to low enrollment Epiphany High School was closed in

1992 to concentrate resources rebuilding the elementary school. Enrollment has grown each

year since 1992. The science lab was reopened and art classes were added with teaching

specialists. A Nursery Class for three year olds opened in 1997. The computer Lab was

upgraded and expanded in 1997, that technology might be used in education and ministry.

In 1998, Epiphany completed a study of mission, accepted God’s mission for His church and

recommitted itself to God’s mission to save a lost and fallen world.

“Our mission is that all might know Jesus,

grow in Jesus,

show Jesus in their lives, and

go for Jesus into the world.”

Our Vision is, "To Walk with Jesus in prayer, to learn from Jesus through Bible study, to share the love of Jesus, to teach the way of Jesus, to make disciples for Jesus who choose

and commit to walk with Jesus…”

For the 90^th Anniversary Epiphany held its first Revival with God’s fruitful blessings.

Epiphany now has an annual revival since a second revival was held to conclude the anniversary celebration. Epiphany is praying for total revival of its church and community.

Epiphany began as a church of German immigrants. It is now a multi-cultural church of

African Americans and immigrants from 26 different countries, mostly Caribbean and some

African nations. It is a church that knows its citizenship is with God and its home is in

Heaven.

As Epiphany moves forward in faith to its 100^th Anniversary, it prays to be a church

transformed by God, welcoming the challenges of ministry in a new millennium, and

welcoming all who would share the mission to which God has called us.

Epiphany Church, confident that God is leading and guiding it along the way, prayerfully sings,

Lead me; guide me, along the way,

For if you lead me, I cannot stray.

Lord, let me walk each day with thee

Lead me, oh Lord, lead me.

I am lost if you take your hand from me,

I am blind without thy light to see,

Lord, just always, let me thy servant be.

Lead me, Oh Lord, lead me.

-by Doris Akers ccli #807899

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