Rohlers Evangelical Lutheran Church

719 Rohlers Church Road

 

 

The Rohlers Lutheran Church is said to have started about 1852 when a few Lutheran families of the vicinity met at the old school meeting house (Rohlers United Brethren Church built in 1800) and organized themselves as a separate church group. On February 19, 1852, they formed their constitution. This new group of Lutherans held their services in the old meetinghouse until the erection of their own church.

 

On December 1, 1869, it was agreed to erect a Lutheran Church, about one-half mile away (west) from the old schoolhouse at the crossroads. The cornerstone was laid June 26, 1870. The church was built of red sandstone quarried nearby. It measures 40 by 30. The height is about 12 feet at the eaves and 20 feet to the roof ridge.

 

In 1958 an addition was added to the southern side of the church. The addition doubled the seating capacity to 175 people. A basement provided educational rooms and space for a new heating plant. The cornerstone of the new addition was laid May25, 1958.

 

The cemetery adjoining this church covers several acres. It extends eastward and northward from the church. The cemetery contains graves dating from the 1860’s.

 

A plot of ground, approximately 7 acres, was bought in May 1965 for $1600.00 for the purpose of erecting a pavilion adjacent to the old Union School and Meeting House. It was completed about June 1966 and has been in use since then for picnics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dover History 250^th Anniversary / Prowells History Volume 1 1907