"...Help me on each occasion..."
1958. Videotape delivered color. Stereo recording was introduced. Data moved over regular phone circuits. A broadcast was bounced off of a rocket, pre-satellite communication. The laser was invented. Cable carried FM radio stations. Egypt and Syria formed United Arab Republic. U.S. launched satellite Explorer I. John XXIII became Pope. Service Book and Hymnal was published and used by the church bodies that would merge in 1960 and 1962. C.P. Harry, "Father of the U.S. Lutheran Student Movement," died. Ten Missouri Synod Lutherans incorporated the LCMS Foundation. Chicago's Congress Street CTA opened in expressway median. Edens Spur and northern portion opened; Northwest Expressway and northern part of Tri-State opened, as are the East- West and North-West Tollway. Corning Ware debuts at the International Housewares Show in Chicago. Fischer Memorial A. M. E. Zion Church began meeting in Evanston. Bethlehem resolved that a new church be built if and when 65% of the cost thereof accumulated in Bethlehem Building Fund. Approval was given for the organizing of a Couples Club.
1959. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration was formed. The microchip was invented. Xerox manufactured a plain paper copier. Alaska and Hawaii became the 49th & 50th states. Frank Lloyd Wright built the Guggenheim Museum. The four-year Cuban Revolution came to an end. The Second City, a new cabaret with a revue of topical satire and improvisational comedy, opened at 1842 North Wells Street in Chicago. Evanston Mennonite Church started in Evanston. At Bethlehem, Teacher Graudin accepted a call to Indianapolis, Indiana, and Mr. Mark Trinklein was assigned to the school. A Finance Committee was established to act solely in an advisory capacity to the Church Council.
1960. The U.S. launched its first weather satellite. Sixteen African nations became independent. A U2 spy plane flight was intercepted over Russia and pilot Frances Powers was jailed in U.S.S.R. Ruth Youngdahl Nelson was named Church Woman of the Year (and became Mother of the Year in 1973). The American Lutheran Church was founded by merger of the UELC (1896), the ALC (1930) and the ELC (1917). The Eisenhower Expressway extension to Congress Expressway and extension to Kennedy expressway opened. At Bethlehem, it was decided by the voters that young boys may be appointed to serve as Acolytes to light the candles and junior ushers of high school age shall serve on Sunday each month. The final payment was made on the parsonage. The congregation decided to make hospital and medical insurance and pension payments of the pastor and the two male teachers. It was resolved to again change the fiscal year to coincide with the calendar year.
1961. John F. Kennedy became President. The Peace Corps was established. A boxing match test showed the potential of pay-TV. The FCC approved FM stereo broadcasting. Bell Labs tested communication by light waves. The Berlin Wall was built. The second Indochinese War began; it lasted until 1975. Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space. Joseph Sittler published The Ecology of Faith. The Department of Welfare, National Lutheran Council, began work relating to refugees. Lutheran Refugee Service, was established under auspices of the National Lutheran Council and later added immigration services. It was continued under Lutheran Council in the U.S.A., and became a separate agency after LCUSA ended in 1987. The Dan Ryan Expressway opened. WGN-Channel 9's "Bozo's Circus" had its first broadcast. The population of Evanston was 79,283. Bethlehem's summer services were set as English 8:30 am and German 9:45 am. AAL's offer of a loan of $121,000 for 15 years with payments of $957. per month was accepted. School tuition was raised to $15. for first child, $12. for second and $8. for third child. The salary of the church organist was increased to $50. per month. On April 30th, the farewell service was held in the old church, and services were then held in the school auditorium. On May 7th ground-breaking took place. In July the old church was razed. Excavation for the new church followed. Actual building operations began in early fall with the pouring of concrete for the foundation.
Questions, comments, etc. are welcome.
Send them to Marilyn
Gardner at MFGardner@aol.com