Maplewood History: Concordia Lutheran Church since 1892

By
Doug Houser
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4
97

From their earliest frame building to their current Mid-Century Modern classic, Concordia has been a presence in Maplewood from the very beginning.

I'm not exactly sure why but the cornerstone on their current building displays the dates from their begining until the date of the construction of the present building.
I'm not exactly sure why but the cornerstone on their current building displays the year of their beginning and the year of of the construction of the present building.
The first church building was this wooden frame structure on what is today's Southwest ave.
The first church building was this wooden frame structure on what is today's Southwest ave.
From the 1909 Plat Book of St. Louis County, the footprint of the church is easily spotted. Southwest Ave. was apparently called Arsenal in 1909.
From the 1909 Plat Book of St. Louis County, the footprint of the church is easily spotted. Southwest Ave. was apparently called Arsenal in 1909.
This wonderful photo is the only one I've ever seen of the second Concordia Lutheran Church building. This building was demolished in the early 1950's in order to construct their third and present one. This photo is a gift from Maxine Fellhauer who lived just over the line in the City of St. Louis for most of her very long life.
This wonderful photo taken on 9/18/1921 is the only one I've ever seen of the second Concordia Lutheran Church building. This building was demolished in the early 1950's in order to construct their third and present one. This photo is a gift from Maxine Fellhauer who lived just over the line in the City of St. Louis for most of her very long life.
Concordia dedication altered
The current building in 2006. Wouldn't this be a lot prettier without all those wires in the picture?
The current building in 2006. Wouldn't this be a lot prettier without all those wires in the picture?
The main entry surrounded by Christian symbols. According to Esley Hamilton, the St. Louis County historian, it is unusual for a Protestant church to display as much symbolism as Concordia does.
The main entry surrounded by Christian symbols. According to Esley Hamilton, the St. Louis County historian, it is unusual for a Protestant church to display as much symbolism as Concordia does.
As you can see for yourself, the place is loaded with symbolism
As you can see for yourself, the place is loaded with symbolism.
I have always wondered..why the balcony? Is it just for looks or was it put on for a reason? Anyone know?
I have always wondered..why the balcony? Is it just for looks or was it put on for a reason? Anyone know?

4 COMMENTS

  2. Hi Gary, An earlier comment of yours generated this post. I’m sorry you’re not seeing all the photos. I’ve never had any of them not load when I’ve checked them. The balcony I referred to is the one on the exterior of the church at the top of the tower. Also I’d like to get a copy of your photo of the second church. Thanks for your interest.

  3. Come to think of it, I’ll bet you are talking about the side balcony and not the one in back (where the piano is). Like I said not all the photos loaded, including that one. I’ll have to ask an older member of the church. My wife says it used to extend farther back but a partition was added and the back part is used for storage. It’s been a few years since I was up there and that was because my little boy was curious and went in there so I followed him to make sure he wasn’t getting into anything.

  4. Thanks, Doug. I enjoyed the article. I’m a member of this church. In the basement there is a photo of the previous building. I don’t know if it is the same as the one above because not all of the above photos loaded on my browser (only 4 of them – the rest show a question mark). I bought a plate through eBay that illustrates the previous building before it was replaced. The church used to have a very large congregation so I’m certain the balcony was used more often than it is now. There has been a piano up there (at least it was still there the last time I was up there). The sound/audio guy goes up there.

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