Historical Sketch of St. Stephens

St. Stephen's Church owes its beginning to a group of German settlers in the Merrill area who were determined to have a church similar to one they had known in Germany. In 1883, Edward Kluetz, acting on behalf of the organizing body, contacted the Rev. Karl Freitag of Newark, New Jersey to ask is he would be interested in serving as pastor of a newly formed congregation in Merrill. He accepted the call and preached his first sermon on Friday, August 3rd, 1883 at the local English Methodist Episcopal Church. Two days later, the organization of St. Stephens Evangelical Congregation took place at the old school house of Merrill.

The name "St. Stephen" was adopted in honor of the former congregation served by the first pastor. The congregation became a member of teh Evangelical Synod of Boettcher's Hall, corner of River and Stuyvesant Streets. On the 12th day of October, 1883, the first church was dedicated. Within the first year, property was purchased at the corner of Mill and Second streets for the construction of a new church. A day school was also begun and served the congregation until it was discontinued in 1922.

A disastrous fire on December 16, 1919 destroyed the church building. The total loss was a heavy blow. Under the direction of the Rev. M.M. Schmidt, the congregation erected a much larger and more beautiful sanctuary. The tragedy inspired the congregation to expand its vision in preparation for the future.

The present sanctuary, dedicated on September 11, 1921, represented a cost in excess of seventy-five thousand dollars. That same spirit of dedication prompted the congregation to build the Memorial Hall in 1939, providing facilities foor Christian Education. Another building phase was completed in 1958, providing a central office, lounge, and music center. A building renovation project in 1992-93 provided new office space, handicapped restrooms, an elevator, a coffee lounge, and expanded space for choirs. In 1996 land was purchased for the development of a much needed church parking lot.