Chapter 11 The Robert Kleesattel Era 157
With the resignation (and soon death) of William Daddy Loucks, the church began searching for a new pastor. This would be a difficult task because Pastor Loucks was so beloved. Fortunately, a young 26 year old preacher of the gospel would heed God s call and become Minister of the College Hill Christian Church. Rev. Robert Kleesattel was a student at the College of the Bible (Lexington, KY). Minister Maurice W. Fogle of Dayton, Ohio described him this way, He is an able young preacher and a hard worker. He had completed his undergraduate study and received an A.B. from Bethany College, Bethany, West Virginia. His wife, Ardythe (McClellan), and he would graciously accept the challenge to get order restored to the College Hill Christian Church. Daddy Loucks, though dearly beloved, had been ill for some time and the church was in confusion. Rev. Kleesattel would devote himself to getting this changed. While at College Hill Rev. Kleesattel would see the membership double. He would also see the first organ placed in the church, the first central heating system installed, and the first Constitution and By-Laws implemented. All of this done on a part-time basis. Though the church was able to increase his compensation, he told the Elders in 1951, he would have to reach out to a church with a more adequate 158
field. His work was a great help in a tenuous time. And the next minister would build upon Rev. Kleesattel s ground work and ministry. Choir Members in 1950 Left to Right: Charles Webster, Bertha Keller, Lillian Blust, Jess Winter, Lucille Winter, Irene Kallmeyer, Jim Hayes, Mrs. Webster, Jewel Soden, Gladys Cappel. Loraine Hayes, Organist Choir Robes were made by Loraine Hayes with some assistance from other choir members. 159
The Following Pictures Were Taken At A Picnic At The Home Of Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery Simons Corner of Day and Goslin Roads July 1951 Worship Service Held on Lawn Before Picnic at 10:00 a.m. 160
Left to Right Front Table: Mrs. William Dunnaway, Corine Simons, Mrs. Ingram, Mr. William Dunnaway, Mr. Ingram Left to Right: Lucille Winter, Loraine Hayes, Irwin Spettel & girlfriend 161
Left to Right: Back:, Miss Guy, Charles Deters, Mrs. Hiles, Mr. Ingram, Mrs. Dunnaway, Lorraine Hayes,, Mrs. Louise Tabor, Mrs. Irene Kallmeyer, Bill Mahler, Bertha Keller. Seated on ground: Mr. Hiles, Lucille Winter, Jess Winter, Monte Simons, Mike Hayes Left to Right: Mr. Ira Hogue, Jim Hayes, Mrs. Elsie Guy, Tabitha Cobb, Mr. Hiles 162
Left to Right: Rear: Josie Fechheimer, Mr. Ingram, Seated, Mrs. Ingram, Mrs. Dunnaway, Louise Tabor Left to Right: Bill Sonderman s Sister, Ruth Geyler, Sheron Pickens, Mrs. Irma Pickens, Bill Sonderman's Daughter, Joyce Geyler, Mrs. Frye, Tabitha Cobb 163
Left to Right: Lucille Winters & Monte Simons Left to Right: Children,,,, Art Geyler Racers: Jim Hayes, Cary Pickens, Mr. Hiles, Rev. Kleesattel, Bill Sonderman, Irwin Spettel,,, 164
Left to Right: Loraine Hayes & Bill Sonderman Rear: Ardythe Kleesattel, Mr. Frye, Mrs. Irma Pickens, Mrs. Scroggins, Mr. Scroggins, Stella Deters, Charles Deters, Bertha Keller, Monte Simons, Lucille Winters & Winnie Geyler [Backs to Camera] 165
Irwin Spettel & Girlfriend Herbert Pickens 166
Left to Right: Herbert Pickens, Mr. Scroggins, Florence Hull, Irma Pickens, Mrs. Scroggins Mr. Spettel & Joyce Geyler 167
Mr. Ira Hogue Mrs. Scroggins, Ila Pickens, Mr. Scroggins, Mrs. Herbert Pickens 168
Jim and Loraine Hayes Mrs. Emma Todd (Picture taken at Sunday School Meeting 1950) She was Superintendent of the Primary Department and taught Sunday School for 30 years. 169
Louise Tabor Left to Right: Winnie Geyler, Joyce Geyler, Rev. Kleesattel,, 170
Josie Fechheimer Left to Right: Irma Pickens, Lucille Winter, Loraine Hayes 171
Left to Right: Gordon De Camp, Lucy De Camp, Mrs. Guy, Arthur Geyler, Isabelle Guy The Sack Race Left to Right: Cary Pickens, Irwin Spettel, Jess Winter, Rev. Kleesattel, Mr. Brill 172
The Sack Race Left to Right: Cary Pickens, Irwin Spettel, Rev. Kleesattel, Jess Winter, Mr. Brill The Sack Race And Their Off! 173
Other Pictures From the Kleesattel Era Left to Right: Mrs. Irma Pickens, James Hayes, Arthur Geyler, Sr. (Standing), Mildred Wolf, Gladys Cappel, Lorraine Hayes, Bertha Keller, Emma Todd, Isabel Guy, Mrs. Willard Guy, Mr. Dunaway Mrs. Dunaway, Josie Fechheimer, Stella Deters, Montgomery Monte Simons, Corrine M. Simmons, Mr. And Mrs. Leo Hiles, Herbert Pickens, Mrs. Julia Wichman, Florence Hull, Mr. Irvin Spettle, Edward Hiles, Cary Pickens. Photographed in Sunday School Room by Pastor Kleesattel 1949 174
Happy Graduation & Farewell Dinner For Rev. Robert Kleesattel June 22, 1952 Left Row: Mr. Spettel,, Mrs. Kallmeyer, Florence Hull,, Walt Strecker holding Pam (standing), Right Row: Loraine Hayes, Marlene Ebel, Mr. Ebel,, Louise Tabor & Bill Sonderman 175
Happy Graduation & Farewell Dinner For Rev. Robert Kleesattel June 22, 1952 Left Row: Mrs. Tabor, Mrs. Ebel, Marlene Ebel, Mrs. Spettel, Right Row: Ardythe Kleesattel, Florence Hull, Mrs. Kallmeyer, Tabitha Cobb, Mrs. Ingram, Mr. Spettel 176
Happy Graduation & Farewell Dinner For Rev. Robert Kleesattel June 22, 1952 Left Row: Mrs. Kallmeyer, Tabitha Cobb, Mrs. Ingram, Mr. Spettel; Middle Row:,, Monte Simons, Corine Simons; Right Row: Jim Hayes (head), Lorraine Hays,, Bertha Keller 177
Painting Bee" Saturday, September 18, 1954 Men on Ground: Left to Right Erwin Spettel, Sr., Maynard Thompson (step ladder), Ronald Babcock, Bruce Martin, Frank Cappel, Rev. O. Merrill Boggs (step ladder), Walter Strecker (step ladder), Bill Mahler (step ladder), Men on extension ladders: Wilbur Rapp, Sr., Jesse Winter; not pictured: Leonard Cooper and William Sonderman 178
Interior of First Church Sanctuary 179
First Church building (lot where new church now sits) 180
First Church building (rear of building) 181
Our first Church building 182
Sunday School Class in first building 183