Conflict and Reunion 

Already the first missionaries had noticed that various lodges had attracted large memberships in the Upper Peninsula. Some of their members had also become members of St. Paul's. The conservative Lutherans who supported the church bodies of the recently formed Synodical Conference saw a glaring conflict of loyalty in that; following lodge ritual and at the same time claiming to confess salvation as Christ's gift alone appear to be obvious contradictions.

In a meeting held on January 1, 1896, it was announced that all those belonging to lodges were thereby forfeiting their membership in an orthodox Evangelical Lutheran church, as St. Paul's desired to be. But not everyone was willing to abide by this decision. After years of heart-breaking discussions the issue resulted in a split of the congregation.

Those who wished faithfully to uphold the position expressed in 1896 left St. Paul's. They began holding their own services and incorporated themselves as Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church. They erected a church at Eighteenth Street and First Avenue North. Pastor Leonard Kasper served Immanuel from 1899-1909.

From 1910-1913 Immanuel was served by Pastor L. Witte of Daggett. During this time the declining lumber industry in Ford River led to the closing of the congregation there.

Pastor Otto Hohenstein became Immanuel's pastor in 1913. He experienced the joy of seeing a reunion between Immanuel and St. Paul's congregations.

After the split Pastor Wagner had continued to serve St. Paul's. He was succeeded in June of 1902 by Pastor Wm. Peters. Pastor Peters served St. Paul's from then till the day of his death in November 1914. By that time both congregations had appointed committees to work on the prospect of re-uniting. Their work led to recommendations to both congregations to do so. The Lord's blessing rested on those recommendations.

In 1915 both St. Paul's and Immanuel congregations dissolved. They reorganized as Friedens Evangelical Lutheran congregation. They reunited in the original church building built in 1890. Friedens became a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (W.E.L.S.), then known as the Joint Synod of Wisconsin and Other States. Having been served as a mission field for many years, the congregation became a partner in training and sending other Gospel messengers.

Friedens called Pastor Otto Hohenstein of Immanuel to serve the reunified group, pledged by its constitution to abide by the entire Word of God in doctrine and practice, according to the Lutheran Confessions. Pastor Hohenstein continued to serve Friedens till 1920.

Why didn't the reunited group continue with one of the older names? Perhaps it was a matter of tact. Choosing to continue as either St. Paul's or Immanuel might be felt as declaring a winner in a conflict between opponents. A loving sense of kindness might avoid that by choosing a neutral new name.

But we prefer to see something more in the choice of a name. "Friedens" is NOT a neutral name. It translates from the German as "Peace." By our Lord's sacrifice on the cross we enjoy peace with God. And those taught by Him can pray: "Forgive us... as we forgive..." Guided by Him, those who had disagreed could find the truth together and then come together to support the sharing of that truth as a single congregation. Yes, "Friedens," "Peace," is a very meaningful name.

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