Dorn family papers

Collection

Identifier: collection 536

Scope and Contents

This collection contains numerous photographs, most notably of the construction of Redeemer Lutheran Church in 1940, along with the cornerstone dedication service and the teardown of the house that served as the church before the new building. In addition, there are photographs of the church’s pastor, Herbert P. Dorn, his family, and the first confirmation class of Redeemer Lutheran Church. Also included in the collection are newspaper clippings about Harold Bishop and correspondence from Bishop to the Dorns, as well as letters to Monica (Dorn) Jennings and her family from close family friend, Arletta Billings.

Dates

Creation: 1929 - 1993

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open and available for researcher use.

Biographical / Historical

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Redeemer Lutheran Church, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, began in 1928 as The Lutheran Mission in a storefront at 1954 S. Division Ave, run by Herbert P. Dorn, a seminary student from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. The church was formally organized on March 12, 1929, with Dorn as its first pastor. After eleven years, first in the storefront and then in a house at 1905 Madison Avenue, a new building was constructed in 1940 and opened in January of 1941.

Herbert Paul Dorn was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Louis W. and Marie (Roeder) Dorn in 1904. In 1925, he graduated from Concordia College in Fort Wayne. He married Anna Rippe in 1928. After relocating to Grand Rapids, Herbert and Anna had six children: Guinevere (1930-2017), Monica (1932-2012), Gretchen (1934), Herbert (1936), Rosalind (1939), and Miriam (1944-1923). Dorn served as pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church until 1956, when he took a position as assistant librarian at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. Herbert died in Fort Wayne in 1985, followed by Anna in 1993. They are buried at the Concordia Lutheran Cemetery there.

Harold R. Bishop (1900-1975) served for many years as the organist and choir director of Redeemer Lutheran Church after a vaudeville career. Bishop was also a piano and organ instructor. Accomplished organist, Guinevere Dorn, daughter of Herbert and Anne Dorn, studied under him for twelve years before continuing her studies at the University of Michigan. As a whole, the Dorn children were musical and likely instructed by Bishop as well.

Full Extent

.25 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Redeemer Lutheran Church was founded in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1929. The first pastor was Herbert P. Dorn, who served until 1956. Dorn’s granddaughter, Denise Martin, donated this collection of papers. Most notably, it contains photographs of the construction of Redeemer Lutheran Church in 1940, including the cornerstone dedication service, and the teardown of the house that served as the church before the new building. Those researching the Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, or specifically, Redeemer Lutheran Church, will find this collection of interest, as well as family researchers interested in Herbert P. Dorn and his family.