THE GERMAN SONGFEST

A German Songfest was first held at the Monthalia Methodist Church on Sunday November 5, 1967, under the inspiration and instigation of Reverend William G. Birkner, the pastor. He loved the German songs, even though he did not speak or understand the German language. He even copied the words of the songs from the German hymnals and typed and mimeographed the stencils for the first two songfests. Benno and Margaret Froehner helped to choose some well-known songs. Reverend Walter Froehner was the song leader for that first occasion held during Sunday night services. Lois Willmann and Estelle Froehner played the music for eleven songs on the organ and the piano at the first songfest, and have played for all of the songfests held since.

The congregation and visitors enjoyed singing the German heritage songs very much and it was agreed that the songfest should be a yearly event. The second annual songfest was held during the night service on the first Sunday in November of 1968, when the number of songs was increased to fifteen.

In 1969, the decision to have the songfest at 2:30 P.M. on November 2nd, brought out an even larger crowd of people who loved the German songs. The songfest has been held on the afternoon of the first Sunday in November each year since that time.

Speakers have been invited to give short devotionals in the English language since 1969. Most of the speakers have been of German descent and many of them could speak the German language. Following is a list of devotional speakers up to the church's one hundredth anniversary:

Reverend John Deschner, Reverend A.C. Peterson, Mr. Walter Raeke, Reverend R.R. Bloomquist, Dr. Lowell Ryan, Reverend Walter Froehner, Reverend Paul Weiss, Reverend Walter Lentz, Reverend Warren Hornung, Mr. Christian Deschner, Reverend William P. Treude, Reverend Elmer Hierholzer, Reverend Erwin Jordan, Reverend Ben Bohmfalk, Reverend Howard MacAllister, Reverend C.A. Seiler, and Reverend W. Wiemers.

It was not an easy task to get leaders for the songs since the art of speaking the German language is disappearing. Those who have in the past helped with the leading of the songs are: Benno Froehner, Reverend Walter Froehner, Edwin Froehner, Reverend O.F. Kattner, Monroe Schauer, Theo Siepmann, Leander Froehner, Nolan Froehner, Gilbert Philippus, and Lorene Froehner Windle.

Many of the much-loved German songs have been sung in the nineteen years that our church has kept up the tradition of having a yearly songfest. One song, "Immer Frolich" (Always Joyful), has become the theme song and has been sung each year. Many other favorite hymns have been used through the years such as: "Gott ist die Liebe", "Welch ein Treuer Freund ist Jesus", "Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht", "Erlost", and "Freudig". The name of Reverend William G. Birkner is revered and remembered as the songfest instigator by the use of one of his favorites each year; either "Niemals Furchtet Euch" or "Ich Weiss Einen Strom"

Three recordings were made of the congregational singing in 1970, 1971, and 1972. Many of the records were sold to people who cherish the rich German heritage we have in the songs.

The ladies of the church have always been very gracious in preparing and serving refreshments after the conclusion of the songfests. This gives everyone present a time for greeting and visiting with friends of long standing from various places.

It is the wish and hope of our congregation, that the songfests will continue in years to come so that the memory of those who came to this country from German speaking areas in search of religious freedom may be remembered.

Reverend William G. Birkner