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GERMAN-AMERICAN SOCIAL

ORGANIZATIONS IN BALTIMORE

PARTI

by Randall Donaldson

n 1986, Carrie-May Kurrelmeyer Zintl, who

was then president of the Society, collected

material for a volume on German-American

families and businesses in Maryland. The

response to Dr. Zintl's request for informa-

tion was so overwhelming that the Executive

Committee decided to make a column on

German-American enterprise a standard part

of each Report. Starting with Report 41, Bill

McClain, long-time member of the Society and

chairman of the Editorial Board, graciously

volunteered to write that column, the second

installment of which appears in these pages.

The next few pages mark yet another innova-

tion which will continue as a standing feature

of these Reports. There follows here a brief

review of the many German-American social

organizations which have prospered in the

Baltimore area over the years. In future issues

this section, too, will try to preserve and assess

the record of the German-American institu-

tions in Maryland. As before, thanks are due

to the many individuals who answered the

original call for information.

Die Zionskirche (founded 1755)

It would be presumptuous to attempt to

compress 231 years of a congregation's his-

tory into a short article. In 1955, Klaus G. Wust

published a 150-page book entitled "Zion in

Baltimore" which contains an extensive his-

tory of the congregation. Some of the minis-

ters had previously published small historical

accounts as well.

Early in-the 18th century, German Protes-

tants were among the first settlers in Balti-

more. They worshipped in their homes. After

1750, Lutherans and Reformed Germans

were permitted to worship in St. Paul's

Anglican Church, the parish to which they

legally belonged and for whose upkeep the

law of the land held them financially respon-

sible. These services were infrequent, de-

pending upon the arrival of an itinerant

German preacher, sometimes of doubtful

qualifications.

Beginning in 1755, regular services were

held, conducted by the first resident pas-

tor, John George Bager, who together with

Mortiz Wörschler, the German teacher,

and Dr. Charles F. Wiesenthal organized the

congregation.

From this early period, it is clear that the

union of Reformed and Lutheran Christians

was a short episode brought about by neces-

sity. The unity of language could not bridge

the theological differences.

Local initiative on the part of the lay people

was instrumental in the formation of the con-

gregation which adopted as its first name,

"High-German Evangelical Lutheran Con-

gregation of Baltimore Town."

Congregational incentive was the principle

in the formation of Zion Lutheran Church

and yet it is ironic that once established, this

church became a Pastorenkirche in which

pastoral leadership remained the pervasive

spiritual force.

The theological orientation of the pastor

rather than the influence of the Lutheran

confessions determined congregational life

and activity, and each new pastorate brought

crises and upheavals for the congregation.

Only the extraordinarily long pastorate of

some pastors, especially and foremost that of

Pastor Heinrich Scheib (1835-1897), could

diminish the effects of this phenomenon.

Now Zion is the last partially ethnic rem-

nant of forty-seven German-speaking con-

gregations which once existed in Baltimore.

The church is now a link between continents

and cultures, a conglomerate of diverse theo-

logical roots, and a vibrant, exciting challenge.

Old Otterbein Church (founded 1771)

This venerable congregation, now United

Methodist, began its existence as the German

Evangelical Reformed Church of Baltimore

on the same location in 1771. It maintained

German language preaching until 1917, hav-

ing, meanwhile, in 1800 become the mother

-23-

I

church of the United Brethren in Christ. For

generations the arrival of German immigrant

ships in the Inner Harbor was heralded by

ringing of the church bells which were hung

in the present (second) church in 1789, fol-

lowing their arrival as a donation from Chris-

tians in Bremen, Germany, where the bells

were cast.

Philip William Otterbein, for whom the

church and neighborhood are now named,

was the pastor from 1774 until his death in

1813. Previously a German Reformed mis-

sionary in America from 1752, the native of

Billenburg in Nassau, Germany, had erected a

church at Frederick, Maryland during his pas-

torate there. When he reluctantly accepted a

call to the new Baltimore congregation, partly

at the urging of Methodist missionary Francis

Asbury, he arrived well trained, experienced

and spiritually prepared to organize the con-

gregation, initiate class meetings, Bible study

and minister to the temporal needs of persons

in the community as well as immigrants. His

energies and spiritual zeal led him to minister

to Germans elsewhere in Maryland, at Antie-

tam, "Pipe Creek" and Hagerstown and often

to venture into the Shenandoah Valley to

preach. He gathered like-minded clerics into

Pipe Creek conferences 1774-76 and in 1789

the group began what in 1800 was named the

Church of the United Brethren in Christ with

Otterbein and Martin Boehm of Strasburg,

Pennsylvania, as bishops.

In 1785, Rev. Otterbein led the congrega-

tion in erecting the present church edifice

with Jacob Small as the builder and the mate-

rials ballast brick from England carefully sal-

vaged from the nearby harbor. It was alto-

gether fitting that a later generation should

give it his name who lies buried on the

grounds.

Otterbein Church established daughter

congregations including Fulton Ave., Dor-

guth on Scott St., Otterbein in West Virginia

and a church in York, Pennsylvania.

Now on the National Register and a United

Methodist National Shrine, the "oldest

church in Baltimore" is a centerpiece of

urban renewal and "homesteading" efforts

which have accompanied the revitalization of

Baltimore. While German is no longer the

language of preaching, the church retains a

pride in its origin and guides share the herit-

age with thousands of visitors each year. A

small, devoted, but growing, congregation

carefully cares for the properties which

include the parsonage (1811), now under res-

toration begun in 1983, and the Nelker Sun-

day School Building or Parish House (1872).

The German Society of Maryland

(founded 1783)

The German Society of Maryland was

created to aid German and Swiss immigrants

in their search for a better life as they

struggled to establish themselves in their new

homeland. The Society provided financial aid

whenever necessary and directed the efforts

to draft and pass into law legislation which

would put an end to the blatant exploitation

of immigrants through indentured service. In

1818, The Maryland General Assembly

granted a charter incorporating the Society

and soon thereafter passed a law regulating

the redemptionist system.

In later years the Society has redirected its

mission as the need for direct aid to new

immigrants has ebbed. The most significant

activity of the Society is currently the adminis-

tration of the Julius Hofmann Memorial

Fund, through which the Society awards

thousands of dollars of scholarship aid to

young men and women of German descent

who attend Maryland colleges and universi-

ties. The Society also sponsors an annual

Dinner Dance at which it recognizes an out-

standing Marylander of German descent.

Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church

(founded 1849)

According to local tradition, a visit to the

Catonsville area by Father Heyer, the first

Lutheran missionary to India, gave impetus to

the idea for a separate church for the German

residents of the area. On September 30,1849,

Gustav Lurmann, a local resident and Balti-

more merchant, called a meeting to organize

officially as a congregation and adopt a con-

stitution. Among Catonsville's German Prot-

estants Lutherans apparently predominated

and were joined in the new congregation by

some Reformers; the German-speaking Cath-

-24-

olics of the area eventually united with

English-speaking Catholics to organize St.

Agnes Roman Catholic Church. Early records

included the rather lengthy name of the

new church organized at the 1849 meeting:

the German Evangelical Lutheran Salem

Congregation.

Even in the early days of the Salem congre-

gation there were those who agitated to drop

German as the primary language of the con-

gregation. With the death of the second pas-

tor, George W. Ebeling, in 1901, all German

services at Salem ceased. "Old Salem" as it was

known to many slowly passed into memory,

and the Salem Congregation moved to grow

and develop as it continued to serve the needs

of many residents of the rapidly increasing

Catonsville community.

Arion Männerchor (founded 1850)

The Arion Männerchor, founded on

October 21, 1850, began as a group of

German-American immigrants who estab-

lished a Männerchor and gave it the name

"Arion" after the greek poet and musician

who is considered the mythical founder of

choral singing. From the very beginning, this

group, has been interested in promoting the

cultivation of German song and music

through conceits, song festivals and Liedera-

bende. In 1863, the Arion had the honor of

singing for President Abraham Lincoln at

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in a memorial ser-

vice for the dedication of the National

Cemetery.

The Arion Männerchor of Baltimore is one

of the oldest singing societies in the United

States. Since the time of its founding the cho-

rus has been continuously active. In addition

to performing at the Annual German Festivals

and participating in the National Song Festi-

vals which are held triennially in various

cities, the Arion presents several concerts

annually in the Baltimore/Washington Met-

ropolitan area. As an educational, non-profit,

singing society, the Arion depends solely

upon these concert performances, and the

faithful support and the voluntary contribu-

tions of its listeners.

The Arion always welcomes new members

and requests that one have a love for singing

as well as the German language and tradition.

Assistance with the language is offered, if

needed. Repertoire consists of, but is not

strictly limited to, German classical song and

traditional German folk songs, sung in

German.

Die Vereinigten Sänger von Baltimore

(founded 1885)

Die Vereinigten Sänger von Baltimore were

in founded in 1885 to foster song by perform-

ing at charitable affairs. The group was incor-

porated as the "United Singers of Baltimore"

on April 13,1893. It was made up at that time

of 275 singers from various local musical

societies with a Germanic heritage: "Arion,"

"Harmonie," "Germania Männerchor,"

"Frohsinn," and the "Arbeiter Männerchor."

The "Liederkranz" joined the United Singers

a little later the same year, and in March, 1895,

the "Thalia Männerchor," "Arbeiter Lieder-

tafel," "Sängerrunde," "Eintracht," and "Sch-

wäbische Sängerbund" contributed to the

growth and development of the group. Sub-

sequently, the "Mozart Männerchor," the

"Eichenkranz Society," the "Edelweiss," and

the "Germania Quartette Club" became

members of the organization. As happens

with the passing of time, nearly all of the

above-mentioned singing societies have dis-

banded. Presently, only three groups remain

as members of the United Singers of Balti-

more, namely: "Arion Männerchor," "Eichen-

kranz Society," and "Deutscher Damenchor."

The United Singers continue their tradition

of fostering German heritage through song

by performing at concerts, at Sängerfeste, and

at Liederabende. They also sing for various

charity organizations, retirement and conva-

lescent homes, at civic affairs, and patriotic

gatherings.

National Sängerfeste are held by the North-

eastern Sängerbund, which consists of singing

societies from the Washington, D.C. area up

through New York State. Singers from the

entire East Coast converge on the host city for

three days of concerts and festivities. One of

the most memorable of these song festivals

was the Thirtieth Sängerfest held at Baltimore

in 1938. Prize singing has been one of the

-25-

main features of these song festivals, as a

result of which the United Singers have won

two prizes: a large bust of Richard Wagner

located in Druid Hill Park and a bust of the

composer Konrading Kreutzer in Patterson

Park.

Recently, the United Singers and the Balti-

more Kickers, Inc. established the "Dr.

Johann H. Eitermann Music Library" on the

second floor of the Baltimore Kickers'

Clubhouse.

The Arion Ladies Society (founded 1891)

The Arion Ladies Society was founded a

little over 100 years ago. In the beginning

there were thirty members. They met at the

home of a member, later at the Club House of

the Arion Men's Singing Society. The Arion

Ladies used to help with luncheons and

dinners at the Arion Club House. At present

membership is fifteen ladies, who meet once

a month at the Beechfield Methodist Church

on Beechfield Ave.

Der deutschamerikanische Bürgerverein

von Maryland, Inc. (founded 1900)

The Deutschamerikanischer Bürgerverein

von Maryland, Inc. was founded May 9,1900,

by representatives of more than fifty German

clubs and organizations in Baltimore. It was

originally conceived as an association of

organizations to represent the large number

of German-Americans living in the State of

Maryland. John G. Tjarks (1865-1943), the

Association's first President provided firm

leadership for thirty years. On April 8,1904,

he was able to have the Association incorpo-

rated. During his presidency, he helped to

define the objectives and goals of the Bürger-

verein (Citizens' Association). In the begin-

ning, the Association attempted to cultivate

closer relationships between America and

Germany, provide assistance to newly arrived

German immigrants, advance the principles

of good government and hold an annual

German Day. The first German Day celebra-

tion was held on September 12, 1901, at Dar-

ley's Park with an estimated 25,000 people in

attendance. German Day became an annual

affair to be held in August of each year at

either the old Riverview or Gwynn Oak Park

and, later, at Max Blob's Park. In 1977, Ger-

man Day was held at Fells Point. In 1978, the

Association was invited by the City of Balti-

more to join with other ethnic groups to par-

ticipate in the "Showcase of Nations" project,

in which an ethnic group was allotted time on

a week-end between June and October to

sponsor a festival at either Hopkins Plaza,

Charles Center, or Rash Field in the Inner

Harbor.

The Annual German Festival is now held

three days in August and is one of the Associa-

tion's largest activities and is one of the prin-

cipal means by which the members of the

Association promote their various endeavors,

e.g. native dance and costume, interests,

men's and women's singing societies, crafts,

language and sports displays and exhibits.

The German Festival is the oldest celebration

of ethnic pride in the State, having been held

continuously since 1900.

As an umbrella organization the Bürgerve-

rein strives for a closer union of the German

clubs and organizations in the State of Mary-

land. The Association represents the German

ethnic community and is the spokesman of it

and its members on a city, state and national

level. The Bürgerverein serves as a coordinat-

ing and facilitating body for its membership

and the community as a whole by providing a

forum for matters of concern and the settle-

ment of any grievances or disputes at its regu-

larly scheduled monthly meetings. The Bür-

gerverein maintains a community calendar of

events to prevent date and activity conflicts

among its member organizations, while

planning and promoting all major cultural

activities, thereby maintaining and enhanc-

ing German customs, traditions and culture

within its own community while maintaining

relations with the German Embassy and

groups abroad and at home.

Though the specific activities of the Bür-

gerverein may vary from year to year, the

Association generally serves as the agent for

the weekly German-language newspaper arti-

cles about events in which the German

member organizations are involved. The

Association actively supports two German-

language radio programs, participates in the

Sister Cities program and the International

Week program, both of which are sponsored

- 2 6 -

by the City of Baltimore.

The Bürgerverein has hosted visiting crews

from German naval ships as well as other

international guests, has sponsored visiting

musical and dance groups from Germany and

elsewhere. The Association observed the

three-hundredth Anniversary of German

Immigration to the United States by partici-

pating in a multitude of activities held in con-

junction with various local cultural organiza-

tions and the Presidential Commission of the

German American Tricentennial. In 1984, the

Bürgerverein sponsored the production of a

half-hour videotape program entitled, Mary-

land German Heritage, which was produced by

the staff of the University of Maryland, Balti-

more County (UMBC) for viewing on Public

Television.

Deutscher Damenchor von Baltimore

(founded 1933)

The Deutscher Damenchor von Baltimore

was founded on October 24, 1933, with the

specific purpose of preserving the German

language and maintaining German sociabil-

ity through the study and practice of choral

music. Since its founding, the Deutscher

Damenchor has completed almost sixty years

of pleasant and distinguished activity. In addi-

tion to the success which its own annual con-

ceits have always enjoyed, its reputation as a

participant in musical events and celebrations

of kindred organizations through out the area

have made it a familiar and welcome addition

to many programs.

In the years between its first concert on

April 11,1934, and the present the Deutscher

Damenchor has also contributed to the musi-

cal and financial success of such affairs as

Lieder singing at Christmas Bazaars for the

benefit of the Deutsches Haus (for many

years the home of many of our German socie-

ties). Over the years the Damenchor has per-

formed at various garden conceits at the

Deutsches Haus and given conceits for

friends and residents of many convalescent

and nursing homes.

More recently, the Deutscher Damenchor

has actively participated in annual concerts by

the "United Singers," at the annual German

Festival in Baltimore, and in the National

Sängerfeste of the Northeastern Sängerbund.

Baltimore Kickers, Inc. (founded 1953)

The Baltimore Kickers, Inc. was founded

September 23, 1953, through the efforts of

Eddie Thau and Werner Juergensen, who

were joined by many others from the German

Community in creating a Soccer team to par-

ticipate in the Baltimore Unlimited Soccer

League. Despite many losses in the begin-

ning, a high spirit of competition and a desire

to achieve prevailed within the group. By Jan-

uary, 1955, the first permanent slate of officers

was elected and installed, and by April, 1955,

"The Baltimore Kickers" was incorporated as

a Club whose aims were, and still are, to pro-

mote soccer and fellowship through social

events. Over the years, the Kickers Club has

supported three soccer teams; the first team

plays in the Maryland major Soccer League;

the second team is the "Old Timers" (for

those over thirty years of age); and the third

team is a junior team for twelve-year-olds.

Between the years 1955 and 1976, the Bal-

timore Kickers enjoyed many achievements,

both on the soccer field and in the German

Community. Aside from the many outstand-

ing successes on the soccer field, the Balti-

more Kickers helped to organize the first big

Oktoberfest held at the Fifth Regiment

Armory in October, 1968. In the same period

of time the Baltimore Kickers won the Stewart

and Rowland Cups in the 1968-69 season and

then became champions of the Maryland

Major Soccer League in 1968-69. The Junior

Team also won the championship in the same

years.

A little over a year after the Twenty-Second

Anniversary Dance was held in 1975, the Bal-

timore Kickers took ownership of the club-

house at 26 S. Broadway. Through the com-

bined efforts of Club President Alfred

Baumann many members, it was possible to

redecorate and furnish the inside of the

Clubhouse for the grand opening on

November 21,1976. A little over a year later, a

beautiful library for the membership, and an

archival record center were established.

There is also a room containing soccer

memorabilia, and a music library for the Uni-

ted Singers of Baltimore, which is dedicated to

Dr. Johann H. Eitermann. On September 24,

1978, the membership participated in the

-27-

ceremony of burning the mortgage.

The soccer teams of the Baltimore Kickers

continue to demonstrate their prowess and

love of soccer in exhibition games and tour-

naments, both in and outside of Maryland,

thereby winning trophies and honors.

Although the Baltimore Kickers is primarily

a soccer and social club, the membership

avails itself of opportunities to share with oth-

ers all aspects of German culture and tradi-

tions. During the year, the Baltimore Kickers

sponsor and entertain visiting soccer teams

as well as music groups and other visitors

from Germany. Free instruction in the Ger-

man language are offered weekly at the

Clubhouse.

The Clubhouse is available to other clubs

and organizations, and is open most Saturday

and Sunday evenings for members and their

guests. All Club events are announced over

the German Radio Hour and are published in

the Washington Journal. Since 1961, the Bal-

timore Kickers has also been sending out a

Newsletter which provides a source of infor-

mation about club events.

Club Fidelitas, Inc. (founded 1955)

Club Fidelitas was organized in 1955 by a

group of business and professional men of

German descent who were seeking to develop

a social organization to promote friendship,

fellowship and Gemütlichkeit in the German

tradition.

The Latin word Fidelitas was chosen as the

organization's name because it implies happi-

ness and joy; the expression in German is

Frohsinn.

In the beginning, membership was limited

to a total of twenty-five and was restricted to

men who were either professionals, execu-

tives or business proprietors. With the passage

of time, the original exclusion of women was

rescinded, the membership limit increased to

a total of seventy and membership extended

to those of German ancestry whose qualifica-

tions meet the club's high standards.

Club Fidelitas is fortunate in that its officers

have consistently maintained the high stand-

ards for which its social affairs have become

renowned. Its Spring Dance in May, and its

End-of-the-Year Dance in December are two

bright spots on the German-American social

calendar in the Baltimore area. The Annual

Meeting in January, the picnic in summer and

the Christmas party in December are antici-

pated with pleasure by all Club Fidelitas

members.

Club Fidelitas is a sponsor of, and partici-

pant in, both the Annual German Festival

held each summer and the Maryland Okto-

berfest held each October.

The Edelweiss Club, Inc. (founded 1966)

Edelweiss means noble-precious white. It is

a simple and beautiful flower growing in the

high ranges of the Alps. Symbolically it

embodies purity and beauty.

Some twenty years after the end of World

War II, the moment was right to meet the

desire of Germans living in the State of Mary-

land and the Washington, D.C. area to share

publicly their cultural traditions and customs.

Paul Ludtke and some of his friends, William

Obermueller and Karl Dziggel attempted to

address that need in 1966 by founding the

Edelweiss Pleasure Club. On October 11,1967,

the Club was incorporated; on June 5, 1982,

the name of the Club was amended to the

current Edelweiss Club, Inc.

The purpose of the Club is to promote,

foster and encourage interest in German-

American tradition and culture in a non-

political and a non-sectarian manner as well

as to support and participate in a German

music and news broadcasting program. For

many, tuning in to Paul Ludtke, the "Edel-

weiss Hour" on Sunday is a regular occasion

which keeps members and friends informed

of the Club's activities.

As the membership of the Edelweiss Club,

Inc. has grown, the Club has been to establish

itself financially. The Club now sponsors

flights to Germany, cruises to the Bahamas

and the Caribbean, and bus trips to Canada,

Williamsburg and the Dutch Country. There

are as well Christmas dances, a children's

Christmas party, picnics, Bull Roasts, the

annual German Festival, Oktoberfest and

Fasching. The various social activities of the

Club provide fun and Gemütlichkeit for a vast

number of members and friends. Besides par-

ties and dinner-dances social events also

-28-

include entertaining visiting German naval

vessels and singing societies. In fulfilling its

by-laws, the Club also sponsors German lan-

guage classes and has been generous in mak-

ing annual awards to high-school, college and

university students who are in need and have

distinguished themselves in German studies.

Contributions have also been made to the

Salem Children's Home, St. Agnes Hospital,

Anne Arundel Hospices and other charitable

institutions. The Club contributes a substan-

tial amount to the Edelweiss Radio Hour as

well.

Maryland Oktoberfest (founded 1968)

Oktoberfest in Munich was an idea con-

ceived in the centuries-old autumnal celebra-

tions of Bavarian huntsmen and farmers at

which gratitude was rendered to the Almighty

for bountiful harvests from forest and field.

The event was given new birth in 1810 with the

enormous wedding celebration for King

Ludwig I of Bavaria and his new bride, Prin-

cess Theresia. Since that time the Oktoberfest

in Munich has been a well-known and popu-

lar event for the people of Munich and vis-

itors from around the world.

The idea for a Maryland Oktoberfest was

launched at the old Deutsches Haus in 1968,

when representatives of several local German-

American organizations formed a committee

to organize, promote and produce a Baltimore

version of Munich's famous celebration. Pre-

ceded by a parade through downtown Balti-

more, this first Maryland Oktoberfest as held

in the Fifth Regiment Armory on Howard

Street on October 4th and 5th, 1969, and was

so successful that a cry was soon raised to

make the celebration an annual event.

Realizing that a broad-based committee

was not a suitable apparatus for preparing

and achieving such long-range plans as were

then being contemplated, plans were set in

motion to organize in a more permanent

form and, soon thereafter, "Maryland Okto-

berfest Incorporated," a stock-issuing corpo-

ration, was chartered by the State of

Maryland.

For twenty-four years this family-oriented

Autumn Fest has brought "A Bit of Bavaria" to

the burghers of Maryland. Always held in the

Fifth Regiment Armory, it has become the

area's prime showcase for Bavarian enter-

tainment, culture and Gemütlichkeit.

The German Heritage Society of Greater

Washington, D.C. (founded 1983)

The year 1983 was designated by Congress

and proclaimed by the President as the year

Americans would celebrate three hundred

years of German immigration. During that

year, the Society, under the name "Greater

Washington, D.C. German Heritage Society,

and ad hoc Committee" promoted general

awareness of the part German-Americans

played in the history of Washington, D.C. The

Society also helped to publicize the Tricen-

tennial events of German-American organi-

zations in the area, such as the "Arminius

Social Club," the "Schuhplattler," and the

"Washington Sängerbund," as well as a lec-

ture and art exhibition in which local German-

American artists figured prominently. Mem-

bers of the Society conducted a German Sites

Tour of the City.

The Society has continued its efforts to

promote public awareness of the German-

American contribution to the community

since the tricentennial. The group is now

incorporated in the District of Columbia

under the title, The German Heritage Society

of Greater Washington, D.C.

-29-