Saint Paul Lutheran Church (Halliday / Defiance, North Dakota) Official Acts and Records

Exact and detailed records of the beginning history of the congregation are not available, according to the 50th anniversary sketch. At the beginning of the 20th century, Lutherans homesteaded in this area. The community known as Defiance and Friedenstal was located about 11 miles north of Dodge, North Dakota. Besides having family devotions with their Bibles, prayer books and hymnals, they gathered in various homes for services. About 1906, Rev. W. Schmook of Wuertenberg, north of Golden Valley, began looking after the spiritual needs of these people and conducted services about once a month in homes for several years. From 1909-1912, Rev. Mackenson served this congregation. During this time, the congregation was organized and plans were made to build a building. The cornerstone laying took place in June 1911, and the dedication took place in the fall of the same year. Pastor Kaul accepted the call to this congregation in 1912. The congregation became a voting member of the LCMS in 1916. A new parsonage was built in 1919. The previous parsonage was sold and moved away. Another church building was built in 1928. At this time, the congregation changed its name from Friedenstal L. C. to Saint Paul Lutheran Church. The neighboring congregation to the west disbanded and members joined Saint Paul. The church building was relocated to Halliday in 1948 and was rededicated on November 28, 1948. That same year, the parsonage was moved and relocated. The 50th anniversary was celebrated on June 28, 1959. This congregation closed in 2000.

• W. Schmook 1906-1908
• O. H. Pannkoke 1908-1909
• H. Mackenson 1909-1912
• F. W. Kaul 1912-1922
• M. Keller 1922-1924
• H. M. Maas 1925-1928
• H. F. W. Gerike 1928-1940
• Hans Bruss 1941-1944
• E. R. Dubs 1945-1946
• Samuel Meske 1947-1951
• A. G. Schwab 1951-1956
• Harry B. Theiss 1957-?