Читать книгу History of Fresno County, Vol. 3 - Paul E. Vandor - Страница 19

As pastor of the Wartburg Evangelical Lutheran Church, Rev. F. Felician Fritzler is faithfully carrying on the work to which he has been called. Of German parentage, he was born in Southeastern Russia, and was educated in that country in the grade schools and a school which corresponds to our high school, only that it includes two years of university work. After finishing his education, he taught in the public and high schools of his native land for nine and one-half years, in "Norka" Russia. Seeking greater opportunities in the new world. Rev. Mr. Fritzler arrived in New York, June 24, 1911, and from there went to Atchison, Kans., where he entered the Theological Seminary, in the fall of 1911. He completed the course in the spring of 1914, and the following fall entered the University of Nebraska, at Lincoln, and graduated from that institution in June, 1915, with the degree of A. B. After his graduation. Rev. Mr. Fritzler taught German in his Alma Mater for one year, during which he completed his course for the Master's Degree. He was ordained a minister on October 24, 1915, at Iowa City. While teaching at the state university he organized a "Zoar'' Evangelical Lutheran Church at Havelock, Nebr., erected a church, and secured its incorporation.

On October 4, 1916, Rev. Mr. Fritzler took his present charge, and since that date has worked unceasingly for the welfare of his church and congregation. A highly educated man, with a fluent command of English, he is meeting with deserved success in his labors and is held in high esteem by his church members and by the community in general. The Wartburg Evangelical Lutheran Church was first organized and incorporated in r)04, the Rev. Lutz Horn being its first resident pastor. His successor was Rev. H. S. Feix, who came in 1905 and erected the church building; and he was followed by Rev. W. J. Roehmer, who remained as pastor four years, and was succeeded by Rev. John Gutleben, after whose removal, the pulpit was filled by William Brandes until Rev. Mr. Fritzler took the charge. The church building has been remodeled and improved under the direction of the present pastor. There are 250 communicants, a Ladies' Aid Society of forty-two members, and a Sunday School of 174 members.