Pastor Erwin Kurth

In October, 1941, a call was issued to The Rev. Erwin Kurth, then at Our Savior in Brooklyn. Happily, the call was accepted and again Redeemer had a forward-looking servant of the Lord. His inspired sermons, spiced with wit, were never dull. Several innovations were introduced. The women of the church were given permission to form a congregational unit of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League; the number of communion services wer greatly increased; ministerial help was furnished when available, in the form of a summer vicar or a deaconess; the lots west of the church were purchased; and we thnkfully and joyfully burned the old mortgage.

The church's Fiftieth Anniversary was celebrated in 1942. The generous thank-offering was devoted to renovating the church, including the basement, and it was then that the "Rose Room" came into being. In 1944 a successful Vacation Bible School was offered for the first time to children of the neighborhood. Our valued custodian, Mr. Slane, having grown old in our service, resigned. Several years later he was replaced by Paul Steinbauer.

The parsonage at 921 West Oakdale had long been inadequate. In October, 1951, open house was held at the newly-constructed home, 433 West Oakdale Drive. At this time the pastor, Rev. Kurth, wished to accept a challenging call to Detroit. He was released with deep regret.