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 In 1947 Rev. Ernest Mappes, who had been preaching for a small group of deaf people in Des Moines, helped organize Iowa's deaf community to become an official congregation of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.
That group of dedicated Deaf Christians, now known as Calvary Lutheran Church for the Deaf, bought their first building from Trinity Lutheran Church for $10,000.
The building, located at 7th and Forest, was dedicated on May 28th, 1950. Calvary Lutheran Church for the Deaf had 6 pastors at that location. (For more information about our former pastors, see below.)
On June 22, 1975, Calvary Lutheran Church for the Deaf dedicated their former parsonage and the new and present church, with more than 300 people at worship.
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REV. EARNEST C. MAPPES
Served 1921 to 1950
Our father of Deaf Ministry in the Midwest served our Mother Church, Bethlehem Deaf in Omaha, Nebraska.
After he retired, he went into sainthood on March 24 1966. |
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REV. VICTOR MESENBRING
Served 1950 to 1955
Our first pastor in our first building received his first call to our church after seminary. He has served Lutheran Churches in Pomery, Iowa, Lockport, NY and Farmington Hills, MI.
Last known, Pastor Mesenbring and his wife June live in Brighton Michigan.
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REV. LAWRENCE STACY
Served 1956 to 1959
After Calvary, Lawrence served two Deaf churches, one in Tennessee and one in Pittsburgh, PA, then two Hearing churches, one in Belle Plain, Texas and one in Melcher-Dallas, Iowa.
Sainted with Jesus Christ since 1971
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REV. CLARK BAILEY
Served 1960 to 1964
After Calvary, Clark went to serve Deaf near San Francisco, co-authoring "Sing Unto the Lord".
He then served Michigan's Deaf until retiring in 1993. |
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REV. JAMES BENGELSDORF
Served 1965 to 1972
After Calvary, James went to serve as a Vocational Counselor in Virginia.
He divorced and has remarried. He currently lives with his wife of more than 15 years. |
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REV GEORGE RING
Served 1973 to 1985
After serving Calvary as pastor, our dear loving servant retired and still is worshiping with us and sharing God's word and Sacrament with us.
Pastor Ring lives with his wife Doris. |
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PASTOR DARREL KOIS
Served 1986 to 1999
After serving Calvary, Darrel went on to serve Christ the King Lutheran Church in Altoona, Iowa, as vacancy pastor and then on to Nebraska District.
Pastor Kois is married to Debbie
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