Little is known of the early history of the present St. Andrew's United Church of Christ, originally the German Lutheran Church of Dexter. In July, 1875, the Dexter Leader began advertising services held in the various churches. The following items were taken from the Dexter Leader:

"German Lutheran Church, Rev. Mr. Graupner, Pastor. Services every Sunday at 2 o'clock p.m. in the Baptist Church."

"A German Lutheran Church was organized July 1875 with a membership of twenty-two. Rev. M. Graupner of Columbus, Ohio has been engaged to preach once a Sunday for a year. A graduate of the German Seminary of Columbus. Services to be held in the Baptist Church at 2 p.m. Rev. Graupner also preaches in Chelsea and in November will open a school in the German language in the village."

"Services for the Lutheran Church will be held in the Methodist Episcopal Church after the Baptist Church is remodeled-1876."

From the "Historical Sketch of St. Paul's Church, Chelsea" it is noted that the Rev. Graupner served as pastor there from 1875 until 1877. It can be assumed that he probably served Dexter for that length of time. For a period of seven years, from 1876 until 1883, nothing has been found on the activities of the German Lutheran Church in Dexter.

Some of the books containing the early history of the church were burned when the home of Jacob Heller was destroyed by fire. He was for many years secretary of the congregation.

On March 1, 1883 a meeting was held for the purpose of organizing as a congregation with Fred Jaeger acting as chairman and Jacob Hahn as secretary. Anxious to erect their own church, on April 26, 1883, they purchased the Hollis property. This property was located on Ann Arbor Street at Fourth Street and was known, at that time, as "Piety Hill." A building committee consisting of five men, Charles Bleicher, William Buss, John Haab, Jacob Haas and Fred Jaeger was formed. A contract was let to Benedict B. Williams, a local contractor, for $2,125.

The old house that stood on the Hollis property was moved away and stones drawn in for the foundation of the new building. On May 13, 1883 the German Lutheran Society was incorporated. The first officers were: DEA CONS: Charles Bleicher and Jacob Haas. TRUSTEES: Gottlieb Zahn, Gottlieb Andrew and Jacob Trautwein. TREASURER: Fred Jaeger.

On June 3, 1883 the cornerstone was laid with exercises held in the German language. A box containing an account of the organization of the society, rules of government, names of the families connected with the church, a catechism and some German religious papers were placed in the cornerstone.

By August the 32' x 50' frame was up and enclosed, the blinds put on, the spire nearly completed and the first coat of paint applied. The exterior was painted white, the blinds green. The inside walls were also white, "hard finished." The seats of pine finished with a hard oil polish were trimmed with walnut. The octagonal pulpit was made of pine and cherry. The choir occupied a handsome gallery because "Lutherans do not follow the modern practice of placing the choir near the pulpit as most churches do now." The seating capacity of the new edifice was about 250. All the carpenter work was done by Mr. Williams, the mason work by Mr. Bleicher of Webster and the painting by Fred Knoll.

The walls were beautifully decorated with flowers and evergreens. Covering the pulpit were wreaths and bouquets. Suspended above the pulpit was a large anchor, the Christian symbol of immovable firmness, hope and patience, the symbol found frequently in the catacombs and on ancient Christian gems. It is one of the most ancient symbols of the Blessed Saviour and is always shown so that it forms a cross.

After the morning services, conducted in the German language, dinner was served at Sills Hall with 300 attending. In the afternoon services were held in the English language with the Rev. William George addressing a large audience.

The Rev. Robertus, beginning his ministry at St. Andrew's in 1883, had continued being pastor of St. Paul's Church in Chelsea. In order to prepare the children for confirmation, and, enable them to understand the services conducted exclusively in the German language, the Rev. Robertus started a German School in November, 1883, locating first in the "southern part of the village in the Dancer house." These day schools were held every other winter, alternating with Chelsea. Later classes were held in the Peter Seper house "located south of his livery barn." In November 1886 a building was rented next to the Dexter Leader office at a cost of $22.50 per year. The editor of the Leader remarked at the time when the children went up and down the stairs "My, what a noise those boys' boots make."

It is not known when the church came to be called St. Andrew's. The apostle and martyr, Saint Andrew of the first century was the patron of Russia, Scotland and the Ecumenical patriarchate. According to Tradition, St. Andrew was crucified on an X shaped cross, known as St. Andrew's Cross. St. Andrew and his brother Simon (St. Peter) were fishermen whom Jesus told to leave their nets and become "fishers' of men." They were born in the town of Bethsaida, in Galilee. After Christ was crucified, Andrew became an apostle (missionary) and preached the gospel in several parts of Greece and in lands on the Black Sea in what is now a part of Russia. Andrew finally became a martyr (one who voluntarily suffers pain or death rather than deny his faith or ideas) for his religion and according to tradition was crucified somewhere in Greece.

Mr. and Mrs. Gottlieb Wallenmeir were said to be the first to be united in marriage at St. Andrew's in 1884. According to the Church records, the first person to be baptized was Walter Gottlieb Helber on December 1, 1883. However, the Certificate of Baptism of Adolf Friedrich Gross states that he was baptized on June 10, 1883 by the Rev. Robertus. The first confirmation class from the new building occurred on Palm Sunday, March 29, 1885. Eda Bross, a member of that class lived to be 101 years old. There were fourteen confirmands in this class.

In 1888 the Rev. Robertus accepted a call to St. Matthew's Church in Buffalo, New York. He served a number of other churches in the western states until his death on January 8, 1912 in Farina, Illinois.

The Rev. Carl C. Haag preached his first sermon at the church in July 1888. The congregation at this time consisted of about thirty families. Individual membership had not yet been introduced. The head of the family was the only voting member and paid for the entire family.

Most of the congregation at this time consisted of farmers. In the spring and fall they traveled to church on roads that were nearly impassable. However, attendance, as a rule, was very good. For many years the men sat on one side of the church and the women on the other.

The Rev. Haag drove his horse "Julia" between Dexter and Chelsea, preaching in both churches. This was known as the Chelsea-Dexter Parish, as pastors served both churches for some time. The pastor's salary at Dexter at this time was $300 a year, $90 of which was given by three families.

The first winter of the Rev. Haag's pastorate, the Day School was held in the basement of the Methodist Church, five days a week for six months previous to confirmation, from 9 o'clock in the morning until 3 o'clock in the afternoon. The second winter classes were held in a room of an empty house. Confirmation instruction was begun on November 3, 1890 with seventeen children in attendance. The following March 19, 1891 the church was filled to overflowing for the confirmation of students from this group. A banner above the pulpit read "Lord Jesus for Thee I Live, for Thee I Suffer, for Thee I Die" with two anchors and two crosses on either side.

Classes in German, under the Rev. Haag were open to any adult citizen in the Village of Dexter as well as the children. For two seasons, he taught German and ate lunch at noon with the boys and girls in the school. The following notice appeared in the Dexter Leader in July 1903: "Any child from 6 to 14 is welcome to the German School. As soon as there are 20 or more scholars the tuition will be reduced considerably."

The Frauenverin or Ladies Aid Society was organized in 1891 with a small membership. The following was reported in February 1891 in the "Evangelical Kirchenblatt": "In Dexter, a Ladies Aid was organized last month, the aim, of which by monthly free will offerings and needlecraft, to do their share in upbuilding of the congregation. Members meet every first Wednesday of the month at two o'clock. Two officers were elected, President, Mrs. Gretzinger and treasurer, Mrs. William Andres." They gave their first social and fair in March of that year at Oliver C. Smiths General Store, charging an admission of ten cents, including supper.

Advertised in the Dexter Leader, January 1892, in the Church Directory was: "The Evangelical Church, Rev. C. Haag, pastor. Services were held one Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and the next Sunday at 2 p.m. Sunday School immediately after church services." Fifteen Sunday School pupils received recognition for perfect attendance during 1892.

On August 1, 1893, a Sunday School picnic at the "little grove outside Dexter" was attended by 75 persons. This was probably the grove located on a part of the Dexter estate.

After six and one-half years in the Chelsea-Dexter Parish, the Rev. Haag left to go to St. John's Church in Port Huron on January 22, 1895. It was here that his fourteen year old, eldest son was drowned in the St. Clair River in July 1904. His daughter Helena married Dr. Ernest G. Tillmanns in 1914 at Port Huron. The Tillmanns went to Loma, North Dakota to live. Mrs. Haag was a former teacher in the public school in Chelsea.

The Rev. Gottlieb Eisen became the next pastor. He purchased the Rev. Haag's horse "Julia." His pastorate was brief, from 1895 to 1896, due to his acceptance to a call as superintendent of the German Protestant Home for Orphans and Old People in Detroit.

      After serving in the home, then in Three Oaks, Galien and in St. John's Church at Rogers Corners, the Rev. Eisen retired and moved to Chelsea. He died on November 21, 1918. His widow, Mrs. Alberta Eisen, then made her home with her daughter and son-in-law the Rev. and Mrs. Albert A. Schoen. She died December 1935 at ninety years of age.

Next to serve the Chelsea-Dexter Parish was the Rev. Louis Koelbing. Four years after his arrival, both the Dexter and Chelsea churches decided to have their own resident pastors. St. Andrew's purchased the house and lot adjoining their property from Mrs. Mary Eagan at a cost of $850 in November 1900. In 1901 the Rev. Koelbing family moved to Dexter, occupying the parsonage about a year; ill health compelling him to move to a more agreeable climate. He left for Endora, Kansas in 1902 where his only daughter, Elsie was graduated from high school in 1909 and where he died in February 1911.

The ladies of the church made a quilt in 1901 of twenty-five 12" squares of white material with a flower of eleven petals on each block. A name was outlined in red on each petal and corner of the block and the blocks were feather stitched together in red. A charge of ten cents a name was made and tickets were sold on the quilt. Walker Brothers Bakery & Shoe Store held the lucky number and after the deaths of these owners, Mrs. Joseph Steeb acquired it. Sixty-two years later, in 1963 it was displayed at the church.

A notice appeared in the Dexter Leader May 19, 1904 as follows: "Young Peoples meeting will be held at the German School house next Sunday evening at 7 standard time." In 1906 the Leader reported: "The Young Peoples Society of St. Andrew's gave an oyster supper February 1 at sun time at the residence of Edwin Haas two miles south of Dexter."

In celebration of the tenth anniversary of the founding of the Ladies Aid Society, letters from former pastors, the Rev. Eisen and the Rev. Koelbing were read on May 3, 1905. A report given by the Rev. Meister stated during those years the ladies had raised $1,000 for the benefit of the church. On May 11 the ladies celebrated at the home of Mrs. B. Elfring. On a Saturday evening in November of that year the ladies served "a good supper for 15¢ in a vacant store next to Fred Walkers Bakery."

On Easter Sunday in April 1906 a reunion service was held at the church for all members added to St. Andrew's by confirmation since the founding of the church.

A new bell was installed at St. Andrew's on January 12, 1908 by Boggs & Miles, contractors in Dexter. Money was donated by a parish member, Gottlieb Benz, for the purchase of the bell from the famous E. W. Vanderzen Bell Foundry in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dedication was held on February 2 when the bell was rung for the first time.

St. Andrew's celebrated its 25th anniversary on October 25, 1908 with three services, one at 9:30 a.m.; one at 2 p.m. and another at 7 p.m. Addresses were delivered by former pastors, Rev. Robertus of Warrenton, Missouri; Rev. Haag of Port Huron and Rev. Eisen of Rogers Corners. Former pastor Rev. Koelbing, living in Enders, Kansas was not able to attend, but sent a letter of congratulations. The Rev. Neumann of Detroit also addressed the congregation. The choir of the Bethlehem Church of Ann Arbor sang and a supper was served by the Ladies Aid in the school room.

  A Sunday School picnic was held on July 5, 1909 in Birketts Grove north of the village on the old Dexter property. On August 1, 1909 the Rev. Meister left Dexter to supervise the Evangelical Orphans and Old Peoples Home in Detroit. At this time there were 100 children and 20 old people at the home. He held this position for 15 years, retiring in 1924. On November 27, 1928 he died in Detroit and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery. His wife survived him as did two daughters, Mrs. Margaret Parr and Emily; three sons Benjamin, Paul and John, who was a graduate of Elmhurst College in 1912.

The Rev. Karl Buff accepted a call from the St. Andrew's congregation and moved his family from Elmore, Ohio on January 1, 1910. It was during his pastorate that English services were introduced for the first time and many improvements were made in the church building. The ladies held their annual supper at the Dexter Opera House on October 7, 1911 to help meet expenses of the improvements. The menu consisted of: fried chicken, biscuits, brown bread, baked beans, pickles, celery, cake, jello, honey and donuts. The price charged was 25¢ for adults and 15¢ for children under 14 years of age.

During the summer of 1913 the Rev. Buff paid a visit to his old home in Germany at which time the Rev. Albert A. Schoen, then pastor at Chelsea, ministered to St. Andrew's. It was during this year that the old unsightly stoves in the church were replaced by a furnace.

The original plain glass windows were removed during the summer of 1915 and replaced with art glass windows, donated in memory of departed loved ones and bearing their names. The iris, the main flower in these windows, portrays the sorrow of the Virgin Mary for the Passion of the Lord Jesus Christ. The interior of the church was redecorated and a beautiful crucifix placed on the altar by friends at this time.

In October 1916 the Rev. Buff submitted his resignation effective December 1, to accept a call to St. Paul's Church at Taylor Center in Wayne County. He had a daughter Charlotte and a son Karl.

A Jugendverein or League of Young People was organized during his pastorate for the purpose of promoting Christian Fellowship, mutual help­fulness and extension of the Church of Christ's Kingdom. They sponsored family night, put on an annual play and were active in the Federation of Young People for many years.

By 1918 there were thirty members of the Young Peoples League. They purchased testaments for boys leaving for service during World War I. During this time they also purchased trimmings and electric bulbs for the Christmas tree. In 1919 they voted to pay one-third of the cost of the telephone at the pastor's home and pledged money toward a library at Elmhurst College. They collected dues at their meetings and sponsored money-making events such as ice cream socials.

The Rev. Schoettle left Dexter in 1920 to become pastor in a church in Ohio. After fifty-one years in the ministry, he retired in 1959 and in 1963 went to the home in Detroit where he died on June 30, 1971. A son Herman survived him.

On January 2, 1921 the Rev. Joseph F. Krueger preached his first sermon at St. Andrew's and made this his permanent charge on April 3. He was installed as pastor by the Rev. Albert A. Schoen on May 8 with services in the German language. It was on this day that a son was born to the Rev. and Mrs. Krueger.

Of special interest to St. Andrew's was the observance of the Golden Jubilee on June 5, 1921 of Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Illinois, the college where students prepare for the ministry.

During the residency of Pastor Krueger the young people installed electric lights in the parsonage and church, the parsonage was painted and new floors laid. Before leaving for a parish in Madison Township, Woodlawn, Indiana, the Rev. Krueger preached his farewell sermon on November 9, 1924.

The Rev. Christopher W. Weiss came to the parish on March 15, 1925. After a year, his health began to fail. Three times he submitted his resignation but each time the congregation would not accept it.

The Ladies Aid used facilities at the Masonic Hall for the first time in February 1926 for their annual bazaar and chicken supper. The following year they prepared and served their first sauerkraut supper. The menu consisted of sauerkraut, knoeffles, potatoes, roast pork, applesauce, pickles, brown and white bread, mince and apple pie and coffee.

In 1926 the Rev. Weiss presented a new plan, to be tried for a year for collecting dues. Envelopes were purchased in which dues could be paid in a lump sum if desired. It was suggested that 10¢ be paid each month or $1.20 for a year.

That same year, in November, a program for fathers and sons was given at the Macabee Hall. Readings and a play were presented.

Work was well under way by March 1927 on a Parish Hall, annexed to the rear of the church building at an approximate cost of $3,000. Much of the labor was donated by the members, thus reducing the cost. Financial help was given by the Young Peoples League and the Ladies Aid Society. Dedication took place on September 4, 1927.

The Parish Hall was arranged to accomodate several Sunday School classes. It was equipped with a kitchen and made an ideal place for social gatherings, meetings and for serving dinners.

The Rev. Weiss died on August 8, 1928. He was born in 1865 in Steinhaus, Germany and came with his family to America as a boy, settling in South Bend, Indiana. Here he married Elsie Kempe in 1889. They had one son, Waldemar and a daughter, Wilhelmine. Mrs. Weiss died in 1935.

On December 1, 1928, the Rev. Wilhelm Gottlob Mauch became the new pastor. Shortly after this the little frame school was sold and removed. In its place the pastor planted a large flower bed and the grounds were improved by the removal of unsightly trees.

At another time, probably earlier, the ladies made a quilt with trees embroidered on the blocks. Names were written on the limbs of the trees. During the pastorate of the Rev. Mauch a mimeographed monthly parish paper was sent to every family member to help increase interest in work of the church. His wife served as organist while at St. Andrew's. The Rev. W. G. Mauch, his wife Emma and sons Herbert and Theodore left St. Andrew's in February 1932 to go to Rogers Corners. The Rev. Mauch retired in 1960 after 51 years in the ministry. He died in 1969; his son Herbert preceeded him in death in 1961. The family had retired to Cape Cod where the son Theodore and his mother remained.

In April 1932 the Rev. Albert Anton Schoen came to Dexter. In late September of that year a weekly publication, "The Sunday Visitor" was begun. That same year the Young People League and the Sunday School placed a bulletin board on Ann Arbor Street.

Early in 1933 the men of the church excavated under part of the Parish Hall and installed a furnace. The Brotherhood was organized on May 23, 1933 with a membership of twenty.

For many years, off and on, a choir had been in existence and was re-organized by the young people soon after Rev. Schoen came to St. Andrew's. Mrs. Schoen served as organist and choir director for sometime. Later, students attending the University of Michigan School of Music would play.

Mrs. Schoen had received her religious instruction, along with the orphan children, from her father, the Rev. Gottlieb Eisen, when he was superintendent of the home in Detroit.

The 50th anniversary of the church was celebrated October 15, 1933 with charter members: Fred Stierle, Mrs. Jacob Laramee, Mrs. John Helber and Mrs. Jacob W. Buss present. It was reported that during the first fifty years 400 persons were baptized, 100 were married and 180 burials took place.

In 1938, over a period of three months, the church was redecorated and remodeled at a cost of $1,500. An indirect lighting system was installed, a Wangerin pipe organ, with chimes, was placed in the balcony once used by the choir, and a new altar with the "Last Supper" in relief carved in wood was placed in a niche built for that purpose.

On Sunday, June 26, 1938 members filled the church at services to celebrate with the Rev. Schoen his 45th anniversary of ordination into the ministry. Mrs. Carl Mast read letters from the Village President, Dr. A. G. Wall and from the superintendent of schools, A. D. VanAken. Joseph Schnebelt, owner of the Dexter Bakery, brought congratulations from the Kiwanis Club.

During a period of three months, when Rev. Schoen was ill the Rev. Paul Eisen, Mrs. Schoen's brother, acted as assistant pastor. In 1940 Rev. Eisen went to Spokane, Washington to preach.

The Evangelical Synod of North America and the Reformed Church in the United States merged to become the Evangelical and Reformed Church in 1940. St. Andrew's, originally called the Evangelical Lutheran Church, became a part of the German Evangelical Synod of North America when independent Evangelical Lutheran Churches of Washtenaw County affili­ated with another denomination in 1934. In 1943 St. Andrew's constitution was brought up to date and from then on they were known as the St. Andrew's Evangelical Church.

After 48 years in the ministry, 37 of those years in Washtenaw County, the Rev. Albert A. Schoen retired. He remained in Dexter building a home on the south side of Forest Street near Baker Street.

Victor Schoen, the son of Rev. & Mrs. Schoen, was ordained to the ministry on June 13, 1944 at St. Andrew's. The ordaining minister was his father, assisted by Rev. Edward Drews and Rev. Theodore Eisen. Victor graduated from Dexter High School in 1937 as Valedictorian of his class. He entered the University of Michigan, was a graduate in 1941 of the Literary School and then completed three years at the Eden Seminary in Missouri.

The Rev. A. A. Schoen, son of Anton and Christina Beutler Schoen died on September 30, 1952. Mrs. Schoen died December 25, 1977 in Indiana. Both are interred at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Chelsea.

Membership was increased by 50% during the ministry of the Rev. Drews and a $10,000 building program was started. He officiated at 40 weddings, 90 baptisms and 49 confirmations before his resignation on December 31, 1947.

The Rev. Herbert H. Schowe assumed duties as pastor on March l, 1948. A native of Bremen, Ohio, he was ordained in 1928, serving various churches in Texas and St. Pauls in New Bremen before coming to Dexter. His wife Helen became choir director while here.

The 65th anniversary of the church was celebrated on October 10, 1948. The speaker was the retired Rev. A. A. Schoen. On October 14, the date of the original dedication, a birthday banquet was served in the Parish Hall with twelve tables set up, one for each month of the year. Guests were seated at the table representing the month of their birthday.

On October 17, the Rev. H. H. Schowe preached the anniversary sermon. On October 24, the annual Mission Festival was celebrated with the guest speaker a missionary from India. On Sunday, October 31, Reformation Sunday was observed and Holy Communion was held. The membership of St. Andrew's at this time was 300.

During 1948 the interior of the church was washed and cleaned. The Parish Hall was insulated, a new ceiling installed and the walls painted. In January 1951, at the annual meeting, the congregation voted to build a new parsonage at a cost of $25,000, construction to begin May 29, 1951. The former parsonage was sold to Neil Nixon and moved to the southwest corner of Hudson and Fourth Street.

The new home, 32' x 38', constructed of brick with a full basement, featured willow paneling in the study and a fireplace trimmed in black walnut, the wood donated by members of the congregation. Others donated oak trees to make into lumber for flooring and for interior trim. Volunteers from the congregation did some of the work helping to reduce the cost to $18,000. Dedication took place on May 11, 1952 with special services and open house on May 12.

In 1953 the Rev. Schowe and his wife Helen celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary as well as his 25th year in the ministry of the Evangelical and Reformed Church.

Because of overcrowded conditions in the Parish Hall, discussion of plans by the congregation for a new hall began in 1956. A building committee, chaired by Melbourne Schultz, was appointed by the president, Norwin Elsasser.

It was during this year that the Rev. Schowe left St. Andrew's. In 1970 he retired from the ministry. He died on February 19, 1973 in Rochester, Minnesota where he was chaplain at the Samaritan Nursing Home. He had a son James and daughter, Mrs. Susan Helgeson.

On October 14, 1956 the Rev. M. Donald Eaton was installed at St. Andrew's after a three year pastorate at the Salem Church near Evanston, Indiana.

A merger with the Congregational Christian Churches was consummated in 1957 and St. Andrew's then became known as St. Andrew's United Church of Christ. Though the Evangelical and Reformed Church is of German heritage and the Congregational Christians are of English Pilgrim heritage, the merger is unique in the history of American denominations. The Christian Hands Guild was organized in 1957 for those women who could not attend the Women's Guild meetings. Their aims and purposes were similar to those of the Women's Guild. For instance the following year the Christian Hands made lap robes for patients at the Ypsilanti State Hospital, helped the Women's Guild with the Mother and Daughter Banquet and with the annual Christmas party as well as serving at wedding receptions.

Even though the men of the church had organized as a group in previous years and disbanded, the Brotherhood was again reorganized in 1957. To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the church, former pastors the Rev. Edward Drews and Rev. Herman Schoettle participated in two services held on September 28, 1958 with 340 persons attending. Confirmation classes from 1885 to 1920 were honored. Eda Louise Bross from the first class of 1885 was one of those attending.

The final day of celebration was on October 10, with guest speakers, the Rev. Victor Schoen of Highland, Illinois, and the Rev. J. F. Krueger, pastor of St. Andrew's from 1921 to 1924. Confirmation classes from 1941 to 1958 were honored. A part of this celebration included ground-breaking services for the new parish hall and a jubilee banquet with 20 pastors included.

By 1959 membership at St. Andrew's was approximately 400. A contract was signed with the Dan Young Construction Co. of Ann Arbor for the new parish hall and by October of that year construction began. Much labor and time was donated by members. The total cost of the building was $70,224.24.

Dedication of the new parish hall took place on Sunday, May 1, 1960. At the conclusion of worship services at 8:45 a.m. a dedication stone was placed followed by special services. An open house and fellowship hour took place at 9 p.m. following the evening services of worship. Speaker of the day was the Rev. Henry Kroehler, president of the Michigan-Indiana Synod. Ministers from Dexter churches assisted in the evening services.

The church picnic was held in July 1960 at Gilberts' Grove at North Lake, featuring a pot-luck lunch. Games were played including softball. Some went swimming and boating.

In October 1960 the Christian Hands and Women's Guild joined together to form a guild with each group becoming a circle.

The Brotherhood made dividers for the Sunday School in 1962 and served at the Christmas party that year. During the years 1962-63 the Brotherhood was changed to Church men's Fellowship. The worship atten­dance during 1962 was 10,473 and during 1963 was 9,833.

To celebrate the 80th anniversary of the church in 1963 portions of the church services were held in German with reading of the scriptures, the singing of an anthem and the recessional hymn. The Rev. Theodore Teunge was guest speaker. A pot-luck dinner was served in the parish hall at noon attended by approximately 145 persons, including the Rev. Teunge and his family. Models showed old clothing of the 1880's and pictures of the past 80 years were displayed. Many confirmands attended, relating incidents per­taining to their confirmation. A history of the church was discussed and German folk songs were a part of the musical portion of the program. The entertainment was under the direction of Norma Lesser and Hannah Schoen.

On August 30, 1964 the Rev. Eaton left St. Andrew's moving to Ann Arbor to finish his master's degree at the University of Michigan in American History and to serve the Michigan Conference of the United Church as a substitute pastor wherever needed. On July 27, 1971 the Rev. Eaton died and was buried at Mulberry, Indiana. He and his wife had two sons, Erik and Garry Ray and a daughter, Kenita Lou. During his ministry at St. Andrew's membership had increased from 280 to 400. Harry Wells was organist and director of the choir.

The Rev. Theophil F. Gahler was to become interim pastor beginning September l, 1964 but just previous to this he was killed in an auto accident on I-94 while on his way to Brutus, Michigan to take part in a mortgage burning service on August 30.

The Rev. Roland Bizer, his wife Linda and two children, Beth and Julie came to St. Andrew's on February 18, 1965 from Taylor where he had been assistant pastor the previous three and one-half years. He was installed at 7 p.m. on March 21 with his father, the Rev. Bizer of St. James Church in Saline in charge of the installation. His brother, the Rev. Armen C. Bizer, associate pastor of the Bethlehem Church in Ann Arbor preached the sermon. A reception followed.

The Women's Guild of St. Andrew's merged with the Women's Fellow­ship in March 1965 along with thirteen Evangelical and Reformed Churches to become a part of the Ann Arbor-Jackson Association of Women's Fellow ship. Among the many activities of the Fellowship were the preparing and serving of dinners for the Dexter Kiwanis Club, bake sales, and making cookies for the shut-ins.

At an annual meeting on January 19, 1969, members authorized various funds within the church to be placed in care of a paid, part-time financial secretary. They also voted to proceed with formal plans for the building program. By July of that year an executive committee was named and Robert Gilbert was appointed co-coordinator of a fund drive, held in October. The building committee was headed by Arbe Rosentreter, as chairman.

For a number of years, St. Andrew's and some other churches in the village, sponsored Vacation Bible School during the summers. 1969 marked the first time that the St. Joseph Catholic Church joined with St. Andrew's, St. James Episcopal, the Methodist and the Webster United Church in sponsoring the school for children from ages four through eight in the village.

During the years 1969 to 1970 the windows at St. Andrew's were painted for the Christmas season depicting various religious scenes. Members of the Women's Fellowship one year made thirty-five Chrisoms, symbols of Jesus Christ, from Styrofoam. These were placed on an 8¹/2 foot tree, the meanings of each explained as they were hung.

Family programs were sponsored from time to time. In November 1971 family groups met to make Advent wreaths, Chrisoms for the tree, to decorate cookies and the making of simple crafts for the young. Potluck suppers were served, followed by a family service with lighting of the first candle of Advent. The singing of Christmas carols followed.

In August 1972 a Music Guild was formed for the purpose of establish­ing a better working relationship between choir members, their leaders and the consistory.

When the Rev. Roschen was in Dexter, a five day camp for 20 children was sponsored by the church's Christian Education committee under the direction of Rev. Roschen, assisted by members of the church. Visits were made to various parks, and hikes and cook-outs were among some of the events.

The Rev. John Roschen resigned September 12, 1972. On the 19th of November a farewell dinner was given for the family: Rev. Roschen, his wife Marion and daughter Lisa and son Mark. They left Dexter a short time after this.

On November 1, 1973 the Rev. Kennyon Edwards arrived with his wife Violet and two sons, Donald and Walter. They came from Buffalo, New York. Mrs. Edwards had worked for the New York Rehabilitation and Vocational Services for visually handicapped, teaching Braille among other things.

 In preparation for erecting a new church building on the site of the original church, the congregation of St. Andrew's gave the old church building to the Dexter Area Historical Society for a museum, the summer of 1973, with the provision it be moved to a new site. In November, the congregation granted a 75 year lease on the part of it's parking lot to which the original edifice was moved in January 1974. The historical society had the entire lot, located on the corner of Inverness and Fourth Street, surveyed just previous to the move.

More than 700 attended the dedication services for the newly con­structed St. Andrew's United Church of Christ held on September 15, 1974. The brick structure, seating 250 persons, was built by the Case Construction Company at a cost of $180,000.

Removed from the old building was the altar with the carved "Last Supper" to be used in the new church. The old bell was also removed and placed on the lawn facing Ann Arbor Street and electrified.

Participating in the dedication services were the children's choir; the Rev. Milton Hoose; The Rev. Neil J. McShane of Carson City, Michigan; the chancel choir; Dr. Duane Vore, Michigan Conference minister; the Rev. John Roschen, past minister; the Rev. James Hynes of the Methodist Church; The Rev. Victor Schoen from Highland, Illinois; Mrs. Dorothy Hunawill, Mayor of Dexter, and the pastor of St. Andrew's, the Rev. Kennyon Edwards.

Mr. Dale Case of the Case Construction Company presented the keys to Robert Gilbert, chairman of the building committee who in turn presented the keys to Robert Kaercher, representing the congregation. Mrs. Norma Lesser representing the Women and senior members, Ted Ernst, the youth and Orrin Inbody, the church school.

The Couple's Club decided in 1974 to make a quilt, not to be sold by tickets as before, but to keep. The 72-12 inch blocks with flowers on which names were written on each petal were outlined in contrasting colors with black designating deceased persons. Most were names of members, a few were friends, who paid 50¢ a name. A net profit of $265.40 was made. The Couple's Club changed its name to Friendship Club on April 2, 1976. Other activities of the club included a trip to see the Ice Capades and another time, to hear the Rev. Billy Graham.

The Rev. Edwards and family lived a short time in the church parsonage, later building their own home in Webster Township. The parsonage was then rented.

Karen Longman from Jackson, a student in Ann Arbor, became director of Christian Education at St. Andrew's working with the Rev. Edwards on a number of special programs. On Wednesday, March 16, 1976 a very impressive Passover Seder service was held. The "Monks supper," the first century Passover dinner program showed the seating at the Last Supper, as the carved scene on the altar of St. Andrew's depicts.

An explanation was given on how the Passover was eaten, what foods in the New Testament were eaten, especially for Passover, and customs at mealtimes. Passover Hymns from Psalm 115-118 were sung to "The Lord is Risen Today."

A second Passover celebration was held March 30, 1977 with 100 members and friends of St. Andrew's gathering on Maundy Thursday to participate in a Passover dinner (Seder). Dr. and Mrs. Milton Mutchnick and Debbie Livingston of Ann Arbor helped to better the understanding of the Last Supper of Christ. Passover foods were served and a Reading of the Exodus story establishing the Passover tradition was given.

On Maundy Thursday, March 23, 1978 a Seder Ritual was held with 15 steps of the Seder ceremony given, including the blessing of the wine, washing of the hands, saying Grace and the Psalms of Praise.

Nine members of the Youth Fellowship visited Orlando, Florida for a three day Jesus Rally in April 1978. In June, thirty persons met at St. Andrew's to organize a Christian Fellowship of the Dexter area churches, including Ann Arbor, Whitmore Lake, Brighton and Pinckney. Their purpose was for all denominations to meet weekly to praise, sing and worship.

Mrs. Alvin Lesser gave an historical review of 90 years of the activities of the Women's Fellowship on November l, 1978. Honored and present were two 55 year members of the Fellowship, Mrs. Herman Henes and Mrs. Adolph Gross. Absent, but honored was a 55 year member Mrs. Ezra Lesser and a 53 year member, Mrs. Matthew Klumpp.

An eleven day tour of the Holy Land was planned by the Rev. Edwards and Karen Longman. The cost was $900 for air fare, transportation and guides in the Holy Land, first class accommodations with continental break fast and dinner and entry fees to places visited. Eighteen participants left from New York on February 20, 1979.

The Christian Education program committee sponsored the Mother and Daughter and the Father and Son Banquets during 1979.

In July 1980, the Rev. Kennyon Edwards became the first full-time inter-faith chaplain in the 56 year history of Mercywood Hospital on Jackson Road. For a year he had worked part-time at Mercywood while continuing as minister at St. Andrew's. Effective October 1, 1980 the Rev. Edwards left St. Andrew's.

Once again, St. Andrew's found itself in need of an interim pastor. For eight months, the Rev. Robert Weikart served well as Spiritual Leader of the congregation.