JANZOW, John "William " Carl, Rev. 1875-1949

JANZOW

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 1/19/2010 at 13:35:13

Rev. William Janzow served at Immanuel's Lutheran Church in St. Ansgar, 1900-1906

Item #1:

John William Carl Janzow

John William Carl Janzow, president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Australia, was born in Lewiston, Minnesota on March 7, 1875 and died on July 20, 1949.

He received his educcation at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri; was pastor at St. Ansgar, Iowa from 1900 to 1906, and at Adelaide, Australia, from 1906 to 1945; he was president of the S. Australian District from 1913–1923; and president of ELCA from 1923 to 1941.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item #2:

The following is from the Immanuel's Lutheran Church (St. Ansgar, Iowa) booklet "Diamond Jubilee 1874-1949".

Following Reverend Drexler's resignation, the congregation sought a successor during a vacancy of seven months. The sister congregation of Cedar Township had become independent in March of the year 1899. Acting alone therefore, and with the help of several vacancy pastors, Immanuel's finally directed a Call to a graduate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. This Call was received and accepted by William Janzow of Lewiston, Minnesota.

Reverend Wm. Janzow assumed his office in July of 1900, and at once gave evidence of a vigorous ministry. The long vacancy had been of no benefit to the congregation, but with the Lord's help the young pastor soon infused a new life into her activity. He was a man of vision and courage, when at the same time adhering to the principles of the Word of God.

During his ministry the congregation experienced a healthy growth. The work in the school was soon returned to normal. He was the first to introduce worship in the English language in evening services. At this time too, efforts were made to organize a young people's society.

Although he had declined another Call two years earlier, Pastor Janzow asked for and was given his release to become pastor of Bethlehem's Lutheran Congregation in Adelaide, South Australia. This occurred in April of 1906.

He was married during the first year of his pastorate and was the father of three children when he left.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item #3:

Recently, in Australia, an exhibition was held which depicted a significant episode in the life of Dr. William Janzow. During the time of Adolf Hitler, Jews were offered help in escaping his grip.

"Dear Dr. Janzow"

"Dear Dr. Janzow" is an exhibition of original letters, from the Lutheran Archives in Adelaide, curated by Dr. Peter Monteath, Senior Lecturer in History at Flinders University.

In 1938 the Lutheran Churches in Australia announced they would help European Jews escape the clutches of Nazi Germany. The announcement appeared in the London Times November 18 edition. Such was the intensity of their despair at that time that many Jews responded to the offer by writing to the General President of the Australian Lutheran Synod, Dr. William Janzow.

Altogether 73 letters were received, extraordinary moving testimonies to those bleak times, some of which will be on display at the Sydney Jewish Museum.

See source website:
http://www.sydneyjewishmuseum.com.au/Exhibitions/Past-Exhibitions/Dear-Dr-Janzow/default.aspx

Mitchell Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen