Orangeburg Lutheran Church

And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

(Matthew 28:20)

A Historical Update
Pastor Garry W. White
August, 2013

Part One
An Abbreviated Early History: The First Orangeburg Lutherans1
It may well be that there were Lutherans among the German Swiss who settled
Orangeburg in 1735, but the records of the time make it difficult to establish this as historical
fact. It does appear that a Lutheran community of German Swiss Settlers in the Orangeburg area
in Orangeburg began its history as far back as 1737, pastored by the Rev. John U.
Giessendanner. The Rev. Giessendanner was a native of Switzerland and was affiliated with the
Pietistic movement in Germany where he taught in the Halle school. He was considered quite a
capable Lutheran minister and it is recorded that he drew congregants from a 40 mile radius to
his open air sermons.
The first church building organized and constructed in Orangeburg was reportedly
Lutheran and was located in the vicinity of the Old Armory between Broughton and Middleton
Streets.
The Rev. Giessendanner died soon after his work began. His nephew, also named John
Giessendanner, succeeded him in 1739.
There is some uncertainty as to the particulars of the younger Giessendanners
credentials, as is typical of the colonial time period. The younger Giessendanner evidently
functioned as a Lutheran minister, working among Lutheran people and even starting a church
register. He is described as a Lutheran minister by Dalcho (1820) in his History of the Protestant
Episcopal Church in South Carolina. However, other records indicate that he was ordained by a
Charleston Presbytery. However, since the state of South Carolina was at that time under the
rule of Great Britain, and because of his plain preaching and fear of being displaced, the
younger Giessendanner seems to have sought further approval by British rule. In 1750, the
young Giessendanner therefore went to London and was ordained to the priesthood in the
Anglican Church by the Bishop of London.
When the younger Rev. Giessendanner returned to Orangeburg under the authority of
the Anglican Church, he moved his pastorate to the Episcopal Church. Giessendanner took
many of his congregation with him, while other congregants joined the Methodist and other
churches. This transition was effectively the end of the brief first life of the Lutheran
community in Orangeburg, since there is no evidence that a Lutheran congregation continued
after these changes. However, the historical influence from this first era can be seen in the
family names of descendants of early settlers of Orangeburg -- in the Giessendanner register
(found in Salleys History of Orangeburg County) are such names as Stroman, Wertz,
Wannamaker, and others.

A New Beginning
A new page of the history of a Lutheran Church in Orangeburg began on November 14,
1854. On this date, the Synod Missionary Society recommended that they be authorized to
appropriate $200.00 for a mission church in Orangeburg and a mission church in Charleston,
provided suitable missionaries could be obtained. The needs of this new mission were brought
to their attention by the Rev. Ephraim Dufford, ancestor of Dr. Fred Dufford of Pine Grove
Lutheran Church in Lone Star, SC. In 1855 the Missionary Society allotted an additional
$100.00 to the Rev. Jacob B. Anthony, of Sandy Run Lutheran Church, to carry on the work of
the new mission congregation in Orangeburg, provided that he would devote one-fourth of his
time to this additional ministry. Orangeburg Lutheran Church was organized in that same year.
In January of 1856, Mr. Jacob Hawkins, licensed to preach by the Synod but not yet
ordained, became the first full-time pastor of Orangeburg Lutheran Church. The 22 members
of the Lutheran congregation
worshipped in the Methodist church for a time. Then the mission congregation purchased
property from the Episcopal church on the corner of Amelia and Green Street. A church
building was dedicated on the third Sunday in August, 1856. The building committee was
composed of H.A. Haigler, H.L. Rickenbaker, I.P. Haigler, Thomas Oliver, and Lewis Adden. The
committee promised to pay the builder, Luther Ransdale, the sum of $2,250.00 in installments
as the construction progressed. Orange Chapel, as it was then known, was given $300.00 for
1856 by the Synodical Missionary Society to carry on the work of the mission. At the 1856
meeting of the South Carolina Synod, Orange Chapel was formally received into the synod.
The church building which stood on the corner of Green and Amelia Streets until 1950 was
dedicated on the third Sunday in August, 1856. At the time of the dedication, the congregation
numbered twenty two members.

Orange Chapel
Orangeburg Lutheran Church at Amelia and Green Streets

At the 1856 meeting of the South Carolina Synod, the church was formally received into
that body, and the delegate was permitted to take his seat as a regular voting member. At this
time, and for a number of years to follow, the mission at Orangeburg was known as Orange
Chapel.
Mr. Hawkins left Orangeburg in November, 1856, and for a period of nearly 22 years no
full-time pastor was available to the new congregation. Supply preachers were also difficult to
obtain during this period. Pastor Houck served the congregation once each month from 1857
until 1859. In 1859 and 1860, the congregation was in served by the Rev. J. P. Margart, who
was also serving the Lutheran church in Sandy Run. In 1861, the Rev. Margart accepted a call
to a congregation in Alabama and worship services were discontinued. Because of the absence
of a pastor during this period, records for this period are lacking.

The Civil War and Rebuilding

In Orangeburg as elsewhere, the Civil War put heavy stress on all areas of life, both
secular and ecclesiastical. In February of 1865, General Sherman and his Union forces used the
church building as a hospital, mainly for smallpox victims. The yellow pine church pews were
cut up and used to construct coffins for the burial of soldiers. With additional damage done to
the building during this period, the building was considered unfit for worship after the war, and
in need of general repair. Since adequate renovations were financially impossible for the tiny
congregation, the church building was temporarily rented to Orangeburg County in 1870 for
use as a courthouse, which had itself been burned by Shermans forces.
The year 1872 saw yet another new milestone for the Orangeburg congregation. The
Rev. George A. Hough began a part-time ministry to the congregation, and in 1874 resigned his
other charges at Trinity, Elloree and Mt. Lebanon, Cameron, to become pastor of the
Orangeburg church. Under his leadership, the church was reorganized more efficiently, and
made necessary repairs to the building paid for by Pastor Houghs synodically-authorized trips
to collect funds. By 1876, the congregation grew to 42 communing members. Officers of the
church during this rebuilding period were F. Oldendorff, Elder; and F.H.W. Briggman and J.H.
Renneker, Deacons. The newly restored church would seat 300 worshippers.
Later in 1876, Rev. John Bachman Haskell accepted a call to pastor the little
congregation, and by the
time of his departure in 1877, the membership had grown to 51. There was no regular pastor
from the time of Rev. Haskells departure until June of 1879. During this period, the Rev. H. S.
Wingard of Pomaria, SC, supplied the pulpit once each month. During this time of pastoral
absence there was a substantial decrease in active members the parochial report of 1879
indicates that there were only 29 communing members.
In June, 1879, a Confederate veteran, the Rev. J.F. Kiser, accepted the congregations
call to be pastor. Rev. Kiser successfully continued Pastor Houghs travels to raise money for
the church, despite his having lost a leg in the service of the Confederacy. In March, 1915, the
congregation was given $983.33 by act of the National Congress for damage inflicted by Union
troops during the Civil War.
Pastor Kiser was successful in his efforts to raise money to liquidate a debt on the new
church building. The bell that still rings every Sunday morning was purchased with funds raised
by Pastor Kiser in the early 1880s. Despite his successful fund-raising work, Pastor Kiser was
not without criticism. The Executive Committee of Missions to Synod at the 1880 meeting
reported, Rev. J. F. Kiser, your Missionary at Orangeburg, has reported regularly to this
committee. He reports the mortgage on the church paid by collection he made South and
North, and a bell purchased for his church. Brother Kiser was absent from his congregation
longer than your committee thinks he should have been, but perhaps he is able to make it
satisfactory to the Synod. Pastor Kisers explanation for being away so long was indeed made

satisfactory to the synod, and a resolution to that effect is recorded in the minutes of that
meeting.
Pastor Kiser was fondly remembered by Mrs. Emma Wertz, a member of the
congregation confirmed by Pastor Kiser in 1883. Mrs. Wertz was organist of the church for
many years, and recalled that Pastor Kiser wrote beautiful sermons.
Pastor Kiser left Orangeburg in 1885. The fifty years following the departure of Pastor
Kiser were marked by rather short pastorates and lengthy vacancies.
In 1886, the Rev. Joseph Quincy Wertz accepted the congregations call to be pastor. In
that same year, the Synod recommended that Orangeburg Lutheran unite with the Sandy Run
congregation to form a single parish. Orangeburg Lutheran declined to accept the
recommendation.
Rev. Samuel L. Keller became the pastor late in 1889 or early 1890. While he was pastor
at Orangeburg he also supp0lied at the mission at Graniteville in 1891, and at Summerville in
1892. During his pastorate the front of the church was remodeled with the addition of a belfry.
During this era the various Protestant churches in Orangeburg were periodically uniting
for services on Sunday evenings, and Pastor Keller regularly presided at these services. The
practice of holding union services has been intermittently continued up to the present time.
One of the last ministries begun by Pastor Keller before his resignation in 1892 was the
initiation of a series of services or preaching missions during the third week in November.
These services were very well attended.
From the time of Pastor Kellers resignation until the summer of 1894, Orangeburg
Mission was without a pastor, but the congregation was regularly served by supply pastors
from neighboring parishes. In August of 1894, a recently-ordained pastor, the Rev. N. D. Bodie
accepted a call and preached his first sermon on the second Sunday of that same month.
By the fall of 1894, the congregation had 80 members, with an average worship
attendance of about 45. Through the preceding years there had been slow but steady growth
during the years that the church had a regular pastor.
Pastor Bodie resigned December 1, 1897. In 1888 the congregation purchased a
parsonage. Despite this purchase, the church was without a pastor for several years following
Rev. Bodies resignation, and the declining membership which followed again reflected the
absence of a pastor. Several unsuccessful attempts were made during this period to unite the
church with other churches to form a parish. In 1901, Orangeburg and Sumter did finally form a
parish, with the Rev. H. C. Grossman installed as pastor on April 1 of that year. However, Pastor
Grossman resigned after a pastorate of a little over one and one half years on November 23,
1902.

During Rev. Grossmans tenure the congregation became free of debt, and Orangeburg
Chapel once again began to make progress in attendance and ministry. A new organ and
hymnals were purchased, and the congregations members were taking a loyal interest in the
church.
In 1903, the Rev. J. P. Miller accepted a call to the congregation and preached his first
sermon on March 1. During his first year as pastor, 14 members were added to the church roll,
with nine more added on Easter Sunday, 1904. In the late summer and fall of that same year,
extensive repairs were made and redecorating was done at the church, partly in preparation for
the Synod convention which met at Orangeburg. While the redecorating was in progress, the
congregation met for worship at the Episcopal church during August and at the Methodist
church in September.
At the time of the 1904 Synod convention, Orangeburg had been a mission congregation
for forty nine years. The Lutheran Church Visitor of November 17, 1904, reported that Unlike
Some congregations, it has not been blessed by an era of uninterrupted progress, but has had
its ups and downs. The present outlook seems to indicate that the downs are now a matter
of history and that the ups are to have their day. The same Synod convention reported that
The Synod was most hospitably and delightfully entertained by the Orangeburg Lutherans and
their friends, It was an occasion for rejoicing and congratulations when that congregation, so
long a mission, announced that henceforth it would be self-supporting and would help to
support the Synod.
In 1924, the first OLC Vacation Bible School was held for two weeks, June 9-20, 1924.
Fifty two children were enrolled, many of whom were members of other local churches.

Reverend A. Hayne Boozer (1932-1948)

In 1932, the Reverend A. Hayne Boozer accepted the congregations call as their pastor.
In 1934, the chancel of the church was remodeled and an altar installed, financed and
constructed by congregation members.
The congregation experienced significant growth in the years following the end of World
War II. In 1948, a lot was purchased at the corner of Ellis Avenue and Fair Street for the
construction of a new church building. Reverend Carl B. Caughman assumed the duties as
pastor on December 1, 1948. The existing church building was sold, making it possible to break
ground for a new church building on September 11, 1949, and to

Reverend Carl B. Caughman, D.D. (1948-1964)

construct a new structure on the newly acquired land. Before construction of the new church
was completed, the congregation met for a time in the auditorium of the high school. In 1950,
the new Sunday School assembly room was used to hold Palm Sunday services, and subsequent
services were held here until new pews could be installed. The new church building was
dedicated on August 13, 1950, and the nave was occupied.

Times and Democrat clipping of the groundbreaking for the OLC new building
September 11, 1949

Architects sketch of the Parish Education Building

In 1951, the lot adjacent to the church on Fair Street was purchased. In 1957, the
Education Building was constructed, consisting of 16 classrooms, a fellowship hall, a kitchen and
a parlor. In honor of Dr. Caughmans long and dedicated service, the building was named the
Carl B. Caughman Parish Education Building, and a portrait of Dr. Caughman placed in the
parish hall.

Orangeburg Lutheran altar prior to 1968.

Note the pyramid-shaped communion holders, now on display in Caughman Hall Parlor.

Dr. Caughman retired on December 31, 1964, and the Reverend E. Armand Shealy was
called as pastor on March 16, 1965. During Pastor Shealys tenure, several additions to the
physical plant were made, including the Study/Office addition to the Educational Building
(March, 1967), and a redecoration of and new lighting system for the interior of the church
(October, 1968).

Reverend E. Armand Shealy (1965-1972)

In the later 60s and early 70s, Orangeburg Lutheran Church had a Sunday morning
radio broadcast, and supported mission congregations. Through the estate of Mrs. Anna Wertz,
the congregation provided two cabins at Camp Kinard, and shared gifts with Epiphany Lutheran
Church in St. Matthews, Newberry College, and the Lowman Home. Also during Reverend
Shealys pastorate, a ramp was built by George Barber and Barry Senn in the front of the church
to allow access to the handicapped, and the large painting in Caughman Hall was completed.
By April 6, 1970, the membership of Orangeburg Lutheran Church included a baptized
membership of 735, and a voting (confirmed) membership of 530 souls, 469 of whom were
considered active. 421 members communed during the same year.
A written presentation at the time from Lutheran Men in Mission in states, We have
grown from a handful of struggling but committed Lutherans to a present enrollment of over
600 baptized members. We have a rich history of which we can be proud. But we must keep
in mind that we have not always been a strong congregation, and we could not have survived in
those earlier years without help from others.
In the 1960s, several manufacturing facilities arrived in Orangeburg, further enhancing
a peak congregational membership of 735 souls.
The large painting in the fellowship hall was commissioned with artist R. Wilson of
Columbia by the congregation. The painting was completed on March 2, 1968, and was hung
by George Barber. Some of the figures gathered around Jesus in the painting were living
members of the congregation at that time.

Part Two
History of Orangeburg Lutheran Church 1970 20132
In 1951, the lot adjacent to the church on Fair Street was purchased. In 1957, the
Education Building was constructed, consisting of 16 classrooms, a fellowship hall, a kitchen and
a parlor. The Education Building and Fellowship Hall were named in honor of former pastor Dr.
Carl Caughman.
Pastor Shealy accepted a new call in 1972, and was followed by the Rev. Robert L. Tutas
(1972-1974), Pastor Olin W. Chassereau (1975-1978), and the Rev. Dr. Bill B. Mims (1979-1987).
Under their pastoral care and leadership, the congregation continued to thrive.
Reverend Robert L. Tutas (1972-1974)

Reverend Olin W. Chassereau (1975-1978)

Rev. Dr. Bill B. Mims (1979-1987)

During Dr. Mims pastorate, the 1958 Service Book and Hymnal (fondly called the Red
Book) was replaced with the 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship (the Green Book) -- the
Lutheran Book of Worship was adopted as the new hymnal of three predecessor church bodies
(American Lutheran Church, American Evangelical Lutheran Church, and Lutheran Church in
America) that merged in 1988 to form the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The church
sanctuary was renovated and a new organ installed. On January 18, 1984, the newly
renovated church was dedicated. Later on the same day, the new organ was dedicated, with an
organ recital that evening.
On November 18, 1984, a Homecoming Service was held in celebration of the 130 th
anniversary of Orangeburg Lutheran Church.

In 1987, Pastor Mims offered his resignation, and Dr. Douglas Johnson was appointed b
y Bishop Cauble to serve during the interim. Pastor James W. Addy accepted the congregations
regular call in 1988.

Reverend James W. Addy (1988-1992)

Homecoming, 1990 was celebrated on October 14, with the Rev. Barry Antley as guest
preacher. Art and Faye Keller were chairpersons for the event. In celebration of the long
history of Orangeburg Lutheran Church, the service and hymns were used from the 1930
Common Service Book, the predecessor to the red Service Book and Hymnal published. All in
attendance who were over 85 years of age were given a corsage.
John Knobeloch was the master of ceremonies for the afternoon event.
In 1989, the congregation council discussed a proposal from the synod to establish a
mission congregation in Orangeburg. In January, 1992, it was announced that the Rev. Cedric
Gibb had accepted a call as Mission Developer for a multicultural congregation in Orangeburg,
and the ELCA Division for Outreach requested that Orangeburg Lutheran Church not only
support the new ministry but serve as the host for the commissioning service. The
commissioning service and a reception were held on March 22, 1992, with representatives from
the SC Synod and the ELCA Division for Outreach in attendance.

Rev. Steven B. Counts 1993 2002

In 1993, Pastor Steven B . Counts was called as pastor of Orangeburg Lutheran Church.
At a called congregation meeting on January 11, 1998, Orangeburg Lutheran members
voted on a proposal from congregation council that Orangeburg Lutheran Church, in
partnership with St. Pauls United Methodist Church, build a house for Habitat for Humanity.
The congregation agreed to provide $17000 from fund raisers, other voluntary contributions
from members and friends, and volunteer labor. Ground breaking for the Habitat House was
on April 26, 1998. By May, the congregation had raised $17, 296. The Habitat House was
completed in September of 1998, and dedicated on October 25 of the same year.
In 1999, Orangeburg Lutheran was featured on the annual Orangeburg Arts Holiday
House Tour on December 11 of that year.
Rev. John Thompson was called as the pastor of Orangeburg Lutheran Church in 2003.
In 2005, the gardens located at the corner or and beside the church were begun as an
Eagle Scout Project of Jacob Burger. With the help of his parents, his Scout troop, and the
members of the Orangeburg Lutheran congregation, the project was completed in April, 2005,
and included benches and a fountain. The gardens continued to be a place of relaxation and
contemplation available to members and the community until the corner garden was
consecrated as a scattering garden and renamed the Memory Garden in 2013.

Rev. John Thompson 2003 2007

Pastor Thompson accepted a call to another synod in 2007, and Rev. Everette Price was
called to serve as Interim Pastor. During Pastor Prices tenure, the new Evangelical Lutheran
Worship was adopted as the congregations hymnal, replacing the green book.
The Great Recession of 2008
In the early twenty-first century, changes in manufacturing, the economy and in
community demographics began to result in a decreasing population in Orangeburg County.
The Great Recession of 2008-2009 caused by the collapse of the housing bubble brought an
increasing unemployment rate that would eventually peak near 20%, a decline in membership
in area churches, and new financial challenges for many congregations.
In 2008, Rev. Dr. Garry White accepted a call to Orangeburg Lutheran Church.

Rev. Dr. Garry W. White 2008 - 2012

As the population of Orangeburg and its surroundings declined, the membership of

Orangeburg Lutheran Church had also gradually declined to around 260 baptized members.
Like many other American Lutheran congregations, and like many local congregations, the
average age of the congregation members of Orangeburg Lutheran Church increased to the late
50s, with a small but growing number of younger adults.
Perhaps in part because of congregants age and the long history of the church,
Orangeburg Lutheran Church has continued to place a high value on the Lutheran tradition.
The congregation has been proud of both its Lutheran heritage in theology, worship, education,
and service, and of its own unique history as a congregation.
The church bell installed in 1880 is the same bell in use today. Engraved on the bell are
the following inscriptions:
Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott, [A Mighty Fortress is Our God]
and
May all who hear my welcome sound
At last at Gods right hand be found.
Even with the financial challenges brought on by the 2008 Recession and the years that
followed, Orangeburg Lutheran Church has continued to be actively involved in ministry. Just a
few of the existing ministries that were during this period and continued during the Recession
would include Fun Friday (a ministry to mentally handicapped adults), an eagerly-anticipated
Christmas Cantata, a Spring Garage Sale, and active participation and community leadership in
Relay for Life. Ministries re-established during the Recession years included Lutheran Men in
Mission, mid-week worship services at the Oaks Nursing Home, and Keenagers (a fellowship
group for seniors). New ministries included the development of a monthly worship service at
Longwood Nursing Home, a renewed emphasis on participation in community ecumenical
events, the initiation of a Taize worship service, Operation Inasmuch Food Pantry, and a new
Stewardship program offered by the South Carolina Synod titled Growing in Gods Mission.
Mission Statement
In 2008, Orangeburg Lutheran Church council affirmed the following mission statement:
Orangeburg Lutheran Church is a community of Christians
whose purpose is to worship, witness, educate, support and serve
in response to God's Word. [bold face added for emphasis]
The congregations mission statement reflects continuity with the characteristics of the early
church described in Acts 2:44-47, and allows the congregation to define her current ministries.
Worship. Sunday morning worship at OLC has continued to be traditional Lutheran liturgy.
Sunday evening events included Vespers services each Sunday evening during Lent, a quarterly

Service of Healing (suspended in 2013), and a monthly Taize service with musical
accompaniment provided by Audrey Gerlach, Howard Hoffman, and Pastor White. Orangeburg
Lutheran has also continued to be in partnership with other area congregations in a variety of
worship events, which have included the Blessing of the Animals, a community Thanksgiving
Eve service, a Moravian Love Feast followed by a festival Christmas service, a community

Typical Setting for a Taize Common Prayer Service.

Christmas service at Claflin University, and a Good Friday Stations of the Cross with Holy Trinity
Catholic Church. In 2011, a new series of community ecumenical events began, with
representatives from Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, and Presbyterian traditions participating.

Sunday Worship at Orangeburg Lutheran

An annual Christmas cantata with small orchestra, developed by Kirk Mixon and Steve
Lovelace and refined by Mark Johnson, has been eagerly anticipated by the congregation and

by the larger Orangeburg community. The cantata choir is composed of singers from several
Orangeburg congregations and from Claflin University as well as from Orangeburg Lutheran
Church. Orchestra members have been drawn from nearby Claflin and State Universities, as
well as from other communities around the state. After a final rehearsal for choir and
orchestra, Cantata Sunday choir and orchestra members are treated to a catered dinner on the
Saturday night immediately before their performance on Sunday morning.
Cantata Sunday typically finds the worship space filled to capacity as members of
several congregations come to worship and to hear the Christmas story set to beautiful music.

Member of the Christmas Cantata Choir and Orchestra. Kirk Mixon is conducting.

Orangeburg Lutheran has offered communion services two times each month to
residents at The Oaks, a residential center of the United Methodist Church. In 2012, the first
quarterly hymn sing at Longwood Nursing Home was held, to the delight of choir and residents
alike. In the same year, a monthly service with Holy Communion was begun as an additional
outreach to the Longwood Nursing Home residents.
After some years of planning and discussion, the year 2013 witnessed the development
of a cremains (cremated remains) garden on the church grounds to the side of the main
church building. As noted above, this meditative area was originally developed as an Eagle
Scout project by Jacob Burger. Consecrated on May 5, 2013, any member of OLC who desires
may have their ashes scattered in this area. Benches are available for seating for visitors to the
garden who wish to take time to reflect and remember their loved ones.

Orangeburg Lutheran Church Memory Garden

Witness. Orangeburg Lutheran Church maintains a significant presence on the internet through
an excellent web site at www.orangeburglutheran.com. Amanda Looper designed the web site
and served as Webmaster.

Community Blessing of the Animals

Several OLC members have been active in a variety of ministries of the South Carolina
Synod, including memberships on Witness Committee, Nomination Committee, Committee on
Discipline, and Synod Council.
With respect to our local community, a significant part of our witness ministries has
been done through ecumenical worship and service activities in partnership with area churches
and agencies, including those listed below.
Educate. By 2008, Orangeburg Lutheran had three adult Sunday School classes offering a
variety of learning opportunities: a mens class, a traditional class, and a current reflections
class. The congregation continued offering a childrens Sunday School class and Vacation Bible
School as well, though a decline in younger members made attendance in that class less
regular. First communion instruction and confirmation classes have been offered as needed.

A Sunday School Class at Orangeburg Lutheran Church, Dr. Howard Hoffman, teacher.

In 2010 the congregation began a bible study organized around a house church
format, with fellowship, a light meal, bible study, and prayer. Approximately a dozen Christians
of all ages regularly attended this evening event. Participants have included Christians not only
from the United States, but also from Trinidad, Puerto Rico, China, Nigeria, Nepal, and the
Philippines.
In 2012, a Lutheranism 101 Thursday morning class was begun for members who
wanted a deeper understanding of our Lutheran history, theology, and tradition.
Serve. Orangeburg Lutheran has participated in a variety of service ministries during this time
period. For example, Fun Friday has been a monthly evening of crafts, food, and
entertainment for a group of mentally handicapped adults. Grannys Garage has been an
outreach ministry of Mrs. Althea Granny Woodward, whose congregation-supported ministry
has disbursed food, furniture, and clothing to families whose houses have burned. The

congregation has routinely held an annual Garage Sale, whose proceeds have been contributed
to selected community charities.
We have participated in Operation Inasmuch, part of a broader ministry initiated by
the South Carolina Synod. Our congregational Operation Inasmuch is coordinated locally by
an adult Sunday School class. Our congregation has supported and participated in Operation
Inasmuch by maintaining a food bank, so that bags of food could be delivered monthly to
hungry individuals and families by Operation Inasmuch team members.

2011 Annual Garage Sale

As noted above in the Witness section, Christian service at Orangeburg Lutheran is

also expressed through partnership with and support of a variety of community agencies.
Congregation members have been actively involved in Home Delivered Meals, Habitat for
Humanity, and the Maude Shiffley chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals. We are a member congregation of Cooperative Church Ministries of Orangeburg, and
assist in providing food and emergency shelter for those who cannot afford it. With Miller
Barker and her Relay for Life team, Orangeburg Lutheran Church has been a local leader in
supporting cancer research through Relay for Life each year since 2002, and was instrumental
in developing this ministry for the entire community. In recognition of its ongoing service to
Relay for Life, OLC has earned Platinum, Gold, or Silver Star awards every year to date.

Members of The Operation Inasmuch Ministry Team

Finally, Orangeburg Lutheran has regularly participated in ELCA worldwide ministries as

well. To list just a few, our Piecemakers quilting group sent more than 1,200 quilts to
Lutheran World Relief for distribution overseas. We have actively provided financial support
for Lutheran World Hunger through funds collected on annual Harvest Sundays, and have
provided financial support for domestic and international crises. Orangeburg Lutheran has
supported the ELCA Malaria Campaign, has provided funds to bring water to drought areas in
Africa, and has assisted in providing heat during the winter season for congregations outside
our state. In partnership with other Christian ministries, we collect an annual free will offering
for the Gideons and other partners in global ministry. Our independent Foundation has
disbursed significant additional funds supporting Relay for Life, Cooperative Church Ministries
of Orangeburg, Home Delivered Meals, Lutheran educational institutions, Lutheridge/Lutherock
Ministries, Cantata Sunday, and others too numerous to name.

Members of the Piecemakers Quilting Group

Members of the Relay for Life Ministry Team

Support. The OLC Fellowship Committee has made significant regular contributions to the
support of the congregation and congregation ministries. Committee members have worked
hard behind the scenes to provide food and fellowship events. Under the direction of Miller
Barker, the role in the life of Orangeburg Lutheran Church that our youth played was very
significant, and former youth members continue to serve as young adults. Often the Fellowship
Committee and the Lutheran Church Youth worked in close partnership.

Similarly, the Memorials Committee has worked hard to use donations to help meet
needs at OLC. Between 2008 and 2012, the Memorials Committee helped provide money for a
number of additions to congregational life at OLC, including an Eternal Candle for the sanctuary,
several lovely hand-sewn banners appropriate for the seasons of the church year, a new
processional cross, a home communion set for pastoral use, and the 2013 Memory Garden.
Often working in partnership with the Fellowship Committee were OLCs Lutheran
youth, who have supported and participated in a number of congregational ministries. OLC
youth have participated in a number of ministries, including meal preparation, car washes, and
various fund raisers in support of Relay for Life and other ministries. Orangeburg Lutheran
Church youth have provided leadership to the congregation in the Souper Bowl, with
contributions supporting local community agencies.
The women of Orangeburg Lutheran Church have served a prominent role in ministry at
OLC. Four groups have been chartered under the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (WELCA) -- the Clarabel Eargle Circle, the Premacila Circle, the Lyda Russell Circle, and
the Reflections Circle. All have been actively involved in education, devotions, fellowship, and
funding for special projects needed by the church, community, and synod. In 2010, the Clarabel
Eargle Circle was absorbed into the larger Premacila Circle.
After a period of inactivity, Lutheran Men in Mission was restarted in September of
2013. Like their WELCA sisters, the LMM chapter has been active in education, devotions,
fellowship, and funding for needed projects.
The Keenagers, the fellowship group for OLC seniors, has been very active in providing
trips, activities, luncheons, and events for senior members of Orangeburg Lutheran Church. Lib
Neumeister, Donna

Keenagers have lunch in St. Matthews

McCullough, and Elaine Stephens have been leaders for this group, which has provided times of
fun and Christian fellowship for many OLC members.
In the photograph below, Keenager Jewel Culler closely examines a carving made from a
fallen tree at Mepkin Abbey, a Trappist monastery located near Summerville, SC.

A sculpture carved from a fallen tree on the Mepkin Abbey grounds

Appendix A
Full- and Part-time Pastors of Orangeburg Lutheran Church
Orangeburg Lutheran Church has had 24 full-time pastors since its organization in 1855,
with an average length of service of 4 years:
The First Lutheran Community
Rev. John Ulrich Giessendanner -1737-1739
Rev. John Giessendanner (the younger) 1739 - ~1750
Orange Chapel/Orangeburg Lutheran Community
Mr. Jacob Hawkins 1856
Rev. W. A. Houck - 1856 1859 (part time)
Rev. J. P. Margart 1859-1860 (part time)
Rev. George A. Hough 1872 1874 (part time)
Rev. John Bachman Haskell 1876 1877
Rev. H. S. Wingard 1877 1879 (part time)
Rev. J. F. Kiser 1879 1885
Rev. Joseph Quincy Wertz 1886 -1889
Rev. Samuel L. Keller 1889 1892
Rev. N. D. Bodie 1894 1897
Rev. H. C. Grossman 1901 1902 (OLC yoked to Summerville)
Rev. J. P. Miller 1903 1906
Rev. J. C. Dietz 1906 1909
Rev. J. H. Wilson, D.D. 1910 1913
Rev. Harold E. Beatty 1913 1917
Rev. P. Edgar Shealy 1918 1921
Rev. Paul C. Sigmon 1923 1925
Rev. G. H. C. Park 1926 1931
Rev. A. Hayne Boozer 1932 1948
Rev. Carl B . Caughman, D.D. 1948 1964
Rev. E. Armand Shealy 1965 - 1972
Rev. Robert L. Tutas 1972 - 1974
Rev Olin W. Chassereau 1975 - 1978
Rev. Bill B. Mims, D. Min. 1979 1987
Rev. James W. Addy 1988 1992
Rev. Steven B. Counts 1993 - 2002
Rev. John Thompson 2003 2007
Rev Dr. Garry W. White 2008 - present
Sons and daughters of the congregation who have been ordained as pastors include:
W.H. Riser (deceased)
Rev. Barry Antley, St. James Lutheran Church, Graniteville, South Carolina
Rev. Susan Zeigler Socha, Zion Lutheran Church, LaOtto, Indiana

Notes
1

A great debt of gratitude is owed to the late Lewis M. Boice for an earlier and far more
detailed version of Part One of this history, written for the 100th Anniversary of Orangeburg
Lutheran Church. Without his careful historical work, this document would not have been
possible. The present historical update provides only a sketch of Mr. Boices work, and also
includes portions from a second manuscript (author unknown) which updates the history of
OLC through 1970. The reader is invited to review Mr. Boices fine history, Orangeburg
Lutheran Church: One Hundred Years, and the second anonymous manuscript, Orangeburg
Lutheran Church Historical Notes. Both are available in the congregation archives.
2

Through her encouragement and review of past congregation council minutes, Donna
McCullough was of great assistance in helping to prepare this update. A second pair of Thank
yous goes to Elaine Stephens and Felicia Dickerson, who served as proofreaders.