For the above reasons our congregation first considered the erection of a school. It was built in 1915 and dedicated on August 15 of that year. Mr. Wm. Kluender, a retired teacher, was asked to take over the school until the arrival of a pastor. Due to the long delay in obtaining the latter, Mr. Kluender taught an entire term, being assisted at times by his daughter Beata. Mr. Kluender also instructed the first class of catechumens. This class was confirmed by the Rev. J. Schlichting in the spring of 1916 and consisted of the following members: Albert Schroeder, Gertrude Lierman, and Erhardt Lierman. The pastor arrived on July 12, 1916, and in September began teaching the second term with 27 pupils. In the following years the enrollment grew rapidly, and by the end of the 1920-1921 term numbered 59 pupils. This called for the additional room already mentioned and the employing of a second teacher in the person of Student Otto Schmidt. Ever since it has been necessary to employ even more teachers. In the spring of 1926 the congregation resolved to relieve the pastor of his work in the school and call a permanent teacher. Due to a lack of candidates this did not materialize, but two brothers, Walter and Herman Brase, were assigned to our school. In the following year another call was extended and this time we were successful in obtaining Gerhardt Westerkamp, who was duly installed just before the new school-year 1927-1928. Since that time we have had additional help, students from our colleges and universities as well as from our theological seminary in St. Louis, the latter assisting in the pulpit work as well.