Congregation to meet in new facility on Sunday
Dewberry church rebuilt after fire
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

Turning tragedy into triumph was no easy feat for the congregation at the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Dewberry, after the nearly 100-year-old church was destroyed by fire July 12, 2003.

Rev. Donald Sauls, pastor of the congregation, said this Sunday, December 12, will be the first Sunday to have service in their new church building in 18 months.

"We are truly blessed," he began, as he referred to the beautiful new structure that has replaced the historic church on 900 South near Cross Plains. The foyer is much bigger than the one in the historic church and everything including a beautiful fellowship hall is located on one floor. "Everything is handicap accessible," noted Rev. Sauls, who also was thankful to have an office in the new church. Barney Adams Construction Co. was the general contractor for the project.

The church was a complete loss from the fire that saw seven fire agencies responding. Only a few things were able to be salvaged and among those was the half burnt altar. Rev. Sauls explained that ancestors of parishioners brought the original altar to the church by horse and buggy. "There were a lot of memories connected to the altar," he sadly noted. Also, the baptismal fount, was another great loss. "Most of those attending here and their ancestors before them were baptized in that fount," Rev. Sauls said.

A miracle was in the making when Weberding's Carving Shop of Batesville was contacted about restoring those items. "The right side of the altar was completely burned off," began Terry Weberding, vice president of Weberding's Carving Shop. He said it took two employees four months to complete the restoration project.

Weberding said his company has traveled all over the United States doing projects just like this one. "It wasn't the worse I've seen," he said, referring to a restoration project at the Sacred Heart Church in Indianapolis that was much more complicated.

The altar was made from poplar wood inlaid with 22 karat gold leaf. The pulpit and baptismal fount all were restored in matching colors and wood.

The finishing touches were being made last Friday, December 3, as Weberding and another employee, John Struewing, were installing the finished product.

Saying the congregation hadn't missed a Sunday of worship since the fire nearly a year and a half ago, Rev. Sauls noted, "It will be nice to be back home." The congregation has met in the Rosewood Reception Center since the fire.

Rev. Sauls is looking forward to this Sunday and invites everyone to join them as they worship in the new sanctuary. "We should have a full house," he smiled as he also told of anticipated baptisms. "We've had babies born since the church burned and they will need to be baptized."

The response from community churches and people was great according to Rev. Sauls. "I was
just overwhelmed at the generosity of the people here," he said. He told of several donations, one in particular being a baby grand piano donated from the St. Mark's Church in Batesville. "Everything was appreciated, from the smallest gift, a prayer, to the largest gift - we are truly blessed here at St. Paul's," he concluded.

While the reverend noted that there are still a few incidentals to be taken care of - landscaping when the weather permits for example - most everything is paid for including the inside furnishings, pews and all.

Rev. Sauls believes the rebuilding of the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Dewberry, is the result of many people putting forth great effort to restore and preserve a place of worship and heritage for generations to come.

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO

John Struewing, left, and Terry Weberding, right, of Weberding's Carving Shop, Inc., Batesville, were putting the finishing touches on the pulpit they had restored from the fire at the St. Paul Lutheran Church at Dewberry. Rev. Donald Sauls, pastor of the church tries out the new pulpit. In the background the beautiful altar was in place with just a few minor touch ups yet to be done last Friday, December 3, in anticipation of the new church being open for services on Sunday, December 12.

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO

Rev. Sauls explains that the historic baptismal fount that has been used for generations will continue to be used in many baptisms in the future after an outstanding restoration job was done by Weberdings.