The Concordia Story: A Fifty-Year History of Concordia Lutheran Church 1951-2001

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Above: Concordia’s school presented
The Pied Piper of Hamlin as the
school’s annual dramatic presentation
in the early 1970’s.
Below: Concordia School students are
shown in the school cafeteria in this
photo from the early 1970’s.
nearly 30 years, and we have held Health Fairs
for members and for the community.”
The Health Care Committee, at one time, even
provided influenza injections to members.
“Our committee has always visited the sick,”
she said, “and those in the hospital.”
Two women singled out by many Concordia
members for their roles in the congregation’s
dynamic ministry are Dr. Merkens’ wife,
Barbara, and his sister, Rhoda Canion.
Art Samuel recalls that Barbara played the
pivotal role in supporting the pastoral ministry
at Concordia: “We of the laity often overlook, or
do not know, how important the role of the pastor’s
wife is. I say this because Mrs. Merkens has
always played it very low key. Even though we
were not members from the beginning, Jeanette
and I were good friends of the Merkens. So I
knew first hand that, in addition to raising four
children, she had a must list from Pastor almost
every day. When we began traveling together,
her list was longer than some of his secretaries’.”
Samuel has similar praise for Mrs. Canion, who
served as Concordia’s music director from 1956 to
1997: “Not only was she one of the first teachers,
but she came equipped as an organist first class and
a choir director as well. We all know how very
important music is to our worship, and she did an
outstanding job. How she could run both feet up
and down the foot pedals, play and direct the choir
with one or both hands, all at the same time, was
something to behold. I have heard it said many
times that she played like her brother preached.”
The 1970’s drew to a close with Concordia
firmly in command of the title of the largest church
in Synod. Although several Missouri Synod congregations
claimed communicant membership
near the 3,000 mark, Concordia stood out alone
with over 2,000 average worship attendance in
1980. The goal Dr. Merkens had set on arriving in
1951 had been accomplished. But even more
exciting years were in store for Concordia.
32 ✦ THE CONCORDIA STORY