Points to Consider in the Schism of 1932
- Unrest prevailed in the churches that were under the oversight or influence of elder Martin
Steidinger.
- Points of contention beyond the views of the Elder Body of the Apostolic Christian Church:
- Desire for a more restrictive walk of life for church members
- Increased emphasis on outward appearance; no wrist watches, no long ties on brothers.
- Restriction on use of the things of the world; radio, musical instruments
- Desire to maintain the German language
- Unable to reach common ground, Martin and the Fairbury pulpit made the decision to break away from the main body of the church. Some members in Silverton, OR, Sabetha, KS, Elgin, IL, Tremont, IL, Cissna Park, IL, and Fairbury, IL did so as well.
- Apostolic Christian Church elders from Peoria and Oakville came to support the Fairbury church as it suffered the greatest loss in numbers of all the churches including its entire pulpit.
- Families were separated and friendships destroyed as a firm stand of non-communication was taken by those who broke away.
- Resulted in 100 converts in the Apostolic Christian Church of Fairbury (South Side, North Side, and Town churches). Sudden increase in numbers has been attributed to the peace that resulted after the conflict had ceased.
- Those that left named their group: Christian Apostolic Church
- An illegal attempt to keep the church building in Fairbury by those that left through the forging of a property deed transfer was thwarted when a lawyer discovered the dishonesty.
- The group met in homes until a building could be built on the corner of 8th and Elm streets in Fairbury on property owned by Ellsworth Beer. The structure was made with the bricks from the old depot.
1932-mid 1950s
- A period of relative calm ensued with very limited communication between the Christian Apostolic Church and the Apostolic Christian Church but attending of visitations and some limited visits in homes did take place.
- At some point during this time, as additional elders were established in the various churches, communications with a large number of Germany and Switzerland congregations was established and the elders of all the churches created a fellowship of like-mindedness. However, the European churches were a bit more liberal in some views as they wore wrist watches and long ties which the American members did not do.
Early 1950s
- A Germany-born minister in Silverton, OR named Emil Hari was put into the eldership and thus began a change, the results of which continue to this day.
- Emil’s obvious familiarity with the German language along with a persuasive nature enabled him to gain a sizeable following within the church. When this was challenged, he enlisted the aid of the European elders who made several visits to the U.S. in the 1950s and 1960s. During those visits, all of the opposition and challenge was squelched by excommunicating all of the elders except Emil himself. He subsequently put in only two elders. Ernest Werner in Silverton, OR and George Ifft in Fairbury, IL.
Late 1950s
- Emil declared in a member meeting to “have the keys to heaven.” This demonstrated his opinion of his absolute authority and effectively placed him in the position of mediator between man and Christ.
- Emil began exercising extreme control over the membership, causing great doubt and confusion. Some agreed with his hardline approach but many did not and lines were drawn.
- As a result of Emil’s actions, many church members felt forced to leave and they convinced an excommunicated elder, Peter Schaeffer Sr., to be their elder and they established a church in Forrest, IL.
- This new group kept the name, Christian Apostolic Church and added “of Forrest.”
- This prompted Emil’s church to rename itself the German Apostolic Christian Church which name it has kept until today.
- Shortly after the schism in the late 1950’s, an additional group of members felt uncomfortable with Emil’s continual changes and decided to leave and begin another assembly in the home of Ron Mueller in Sibley, IL.
- This group was called the “Sibley Church” and ultimately bought and moved a church building near Lexington, IL to a mile south of Fairbury. Henry Stork was elder and Ron Mueller deacon.
- Another group of members, mostly of the Joe Steidinger family, also became discouraged with Emil’s changes and left to form their own group calling themselves the Christian Apostolic Church of Fairbury which exists yet today. George Steidinger acts as elder there.
- Emil, along with the European elders, systematically excommunicated, with the ban, every individual in every German Church community who no longer attended the German Church but who was once a member. This ban remains in effect today and included members of the Apostolic Christian Church and Christian Apostolic Churches as well as the other small break-off groups. Remaining German Church members were expressly forbidden to have any contact with those who were excommunicated and even waving on the street was not allowed. Only the nodding of the head was deemed acceptable.
Late 1960s
- The Sibley Church and the Christian Apostolic Church of Forrest, citing many similar beliefs, decided to merge and began assembling in the Christian Apostolic Church of Forrest. The Sibley Church building south of Fairbury was abandoned and torn down in 1973. As a result of this merger and the subsequent decision to drop the German language, a few members of the Sibley Church opted to split away and create yet another group which met in a house. This group was known as the Fehr Church and eventually disbanded in the early 1990s. John Fehr acted as elder there.
Specific to the German Apostolic Christian Church in the late 60s:
- Emil and his wife Marie (Glueck) moved from Silverton, OR to Peoria, IL and resided at a house that the church owned which was used as a home for the aged.
- Under the direction of Emil Hari, the German Church implemented a multitude of rules and exercised great control over its membership through those rules.
- The membership was encouraged to be their “brother’s keeper” and any infraction of the rules were immediately reported to the church authorities and often resulted in excommunication.
- Friends of the church were expected to abide by mostly the same rules as the members with the added stipulation that infraction of those rules resulted in being barred from church attendance. Continual disobedience also resulted in church discipline for the parents.
- The rules were changed arbitrarily and adherence was selective in that some favored members were exempt from some of the rules.
- Every movement of every member was recorded in a filing system as well as all convert confessions and testimonies.
- Excommunication with the ban became the favored method of church discipline and it was not uncommon for an elder to be excommunicated and eventually fully restored to his position. The discipline was not corrective but punitive and did not fit the error.
- The German language was elevated to a position of holiness and was a requirement to be taught in special “German School” meetings at the church on Friday evenings. Mandatory attendance was expected by all members and friends up to the age of 17. Failure to show up in church was investigated and if the absence was not deemed valid, friends were barred from coming back to church without first apologizing. Failure to apologize could result in member parents being disciplined.
- Friends attended Sunday School until age 15 at which time young girls were forced to wear a veil in the church sanctuary.
- Many, many explicit rules were enforced that regulated every aspect of living for the members.
- Children who left the German Church and became members in another Froehlich church were not allowed to eat with parents or other church member family members.
- These rules were elevated to the place of doctrine and subsequently the preaching changed to embrace that and the importance of Christ’s blood was no longer discussed.
- Salvation became enmeshed with church membership and a personal relationship with Jesus was never mentioned.
- Certain chapters in the Bible were never read because the content would have disagreed with established practice.
- An additional elder was made for the Cissna Park church, Fred Grosshans, although he resided in Fairbury and by 1975, there were four elders in the German Apostolic Christian Church in the United States. Ernest Werner in Silverton, Emil Hari in Peoria, Fred Grosshans in Cissna Park, and George Ifft in Fairbury.
- Communication and connection with the European churches was maintained with elders traveling in both directions on a regular basis.
- Funerals were no longer held in church but in the home of the deceased. Singing was forbidden at funerals. Only immediate family members were allowed to attend and non-related church members could attend only by permission.
- Baptisms were closed to non-members as were weddings of members. Church elders did not perform weddings of friends.
1966
- The German Apostolic Christian Church in Elgin closed and its members either moved to Fairbury or drove there to worship. None are living today.
1975
- Emil Hari passed away suddenly in the fall of 1975, leaving a momentary void in the position of chief elder which was quickly filled by Ernest Werner the elder in Silverton, OR.
- Edwin Fehr from Fairbury was made elder for Peoria for a brief time followed by Bill Menold of Peoria, also for a brief time.
1975-present in the German Apostolic Christian Church
- Only a handful of converts have come to repentance since 1975. Most of the friends stopped attending and those that still do are tied through financial connections.
- The Word is not preached in its purity and salvation through faith in Christ’s blood is not mentioned.
- Failure to learn and speak German warrants church discipline.
- Repentance is preached with the intention that souls become a member of the church but Christ’s blood is not mentioned. The historical events of the Easter season are discussed but the significance of the shed blood is not.
- A personal relationship with Christ is not encouraged or mentioned. It is believed by many that this is done in order to maintain control of the members and their salvation.
- Explicit details of clothing were introduced and enforced, i.e., size and type of headcoverings, length and fastening of long veils, length of dresses (skirts were not allowed), length of sleeves for church and otherwise, men’s top button on shirt must be buttoned, etc.
- Explicit rules for sexual relations between husband and wife were formed. Such great fear existed that spouses would tell on each other if those rules were violated and, on some occasions, couples were not allowed to sleep together. (elder meeting notes) This was more common when only one spouse was a member.
- A fear-based adherence to church authority dominates family life and the joy in Christ is not expressed.
- Reading of the Bible at home is not encouraged.
- Much of the preaching is from the Old Testament.
- Ministers, elders, and Sunday School teachers are placed into position by appointment of the leadership.
- Emil Hari’s legacy lives and his teachings and rulings are held above Scripture in an effort maintain control of the membership. His words are often quoted and held in very high esteem.
Late 1970s
- Bow ties on brothers of the German Apostolic Christian Church were expressly forbidden. Failure to do so carried the punishment of excommunication.
- New elders were made in Cissna Park and Fairbury. John Neukomm and Roger Ifft, respectively. Roger is elder George Ifft’s son.
- Travel of members between OR and IL was forbidden without express permission from the elders of both states. Permission to travel was rarely granted and carefully scrutinized when it was.
Fall of 1992
- A fairly large group of members, friends, and children from the Christian Apostolic Churches (Forrest, Silverton, Sabetha) began assembling with the Apostolic Christian Churches in those respective communities.
Mid-1990s
- The doors of the small Christian Apostolic Church on Happ Lane in Morton were closed, the building sold, and the small group there began attending the Christian Apostolic Church of Forrest.
- George Ifft, elder in the German Church passed away in 1995.
- German Church funerals were no longer conducted in homes but were reduced to graveside services.
- Elder Ernest Werner in Silverton passed away and was replaced by Robert Hari, Ernest Werner’s son-in-law.
Late 1990s
- Members of the German Apostolic Christian Church were expected to purchase and wear wristwatches.
- Brothers of the German Apostolic Christian Church were expected to purchase and wear long black ties.
- Elder John Newkomm in Cissna Park passed away and was replaced by Urban Kaeb.
2005 (approx.)
- An additional elder was selected in Silverton, Tom Kaeb, Robert Hari’s son-in-law.
2007
- Some restrictions on the friends were lifted in the Illinois German Churches and they were no longer forbidden church if not exactly following the rules. Some restrictions were lifted in the attendance of funerals.
- Apparently because of this elders Roger Ifft in Fairbury and Urban Kaeb in Cissna Park were excommunicated. No replacements were selected.
2011
- Affiliation with the European churches and the German Apostolic Christian Church has been dissolved.
- Both ministers in the Fairbury German Church were excommunicated by Robert Hari of Silverton and were not replaced for several months requiring ministers from Cissna Park and Peoria to rotate. In late 2011 a minister was selected but rotation from Cissna Park and Peoria is ongoing.
Current Stats
- Total membership of the German Apostolic Christian Church is about 140. Two elders and two ministers in Silverton, one minister in Fairbury, three ministers in Cissna Park, and two ministers in Peoria.
- Total membership of the Christian Apostolic Churches (Forrest, Silverton, Sabetha) is about 70. One elder and one minister in Silverton, one elder and one minister in Sabetha, and one elder, one deacon, and two ministers in Forrest.
- Total membership of the Christian Apostolic Church of Fairbury is about 20. One elder and one minister.
- Only a handful of churches remain in Europe with perhaps 3 tiny congregations in Germany and about a half-dozen in Switzerland with a total of 4 elders serving only about 100 members in all.
Personal note:
Almost immediately after the schism of 1932, disagreements festered within the breakoff group. After the subsequent splits in the 1950s and 60s, membership faced a steady decline. Only the Christian Apostolic Churches enjoyed a brief period of growth in the 1980s but has experienced continual decline since as many members have come back to the Apostolic Christian Church and they have fewer converts. It seems apparent that as soon as the balance between grace and truth shifted toward emphasis on measurable standards of appearance and performance, the significance of Christ’s blood was diminished and the work of the Holy Spirit to convert souls was squelched. Even the growth manifested in the Christian Apostolic Church was due to the fact that several new ministers were selected who were filled with the Spirit and spoke the truth in love. These were new brothers who had not come through the splits and were not bound by the law as tightly. However, those ministers have since come back to the Apostolic Christian Church and a dearth of converts in the Christian Apostolic Church has been the result. The Holy Spirit will speak if brothers are willing to remove from themselves the encumbrances of the law. When the constraints of the church leadership restrict the freeflowing of the Holy Spirit, the message from the pulpit is tainted and the Gospel corrupted as we read in Galatians. Some souls have found their salvation in the break-off churches since the 1932 schism. Of that there is no doubt. However, the full blessing of God does not seem to have rested on that early schism because it was instigated in pride and contention. Both Martin Steidinger and Peter Schaeffer prior to their deaths expressed regret in their decisions and acknowledged that the correct course of action would have been to put self aside and humbly go back to the original church. A further indication of the lack of God’s blessing is that those break-off churches have experienced very little time of peace. There has been discontentment and disagreement within the leadership and membership since the 1932 split. Unity was forced but unity for the sake of unity bears no good fruit, it only seems to breed conflict. Humility in appearance can be contrived and pride can be shrouded in humbleness. However, true humility will never masquerade as pride.
The spirit of contention, anger, and discord has perpetually festered in the break-off churches to a greater or lesser degree. It is most easily seen in the German Apostolic Christian Churches from the 1960s to the late 1990s. Since then, there seems to be a softening and a very slight relaxing of some communication and travel restrictions as friends are marrying between Illinois and Oregon at an escalating rate. However, souls are not repenting and Froehlich mentioned in one of his books that “where no new men go forth from the preaching, from there flee.” That seems to be consistent with Scripture that God’s Spirit is not constrained or limited except within the hearts of men. Psalm 78:40-41 “How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert! Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.” Therefore, if Christ’s blood isn’t preached and the commandments and precepts of man take preeminence, a church evidently will not prosper as God’s Spirit cannot work when Truth is extinguished.
Perceptions, timeline, and narrative by Bill Schmidgall, May 2012.
The thoughts expressed herein are not necessarily supported by the Apostolic Christian Church of America or Apostolic Christian Counseling & Family Services.