New Community Church, 16801 Manchester Rd, Wildwood, MO 63040, US

Dating back to 1883, supporters of this church played important roles in West St. Louis County progress -- and still do. According to the church's recorders and historians: "As the opening shots of the Civil War flew over Fort Sumter in 1861, families in Meramec Township, St. Louis County, gathered for worship. Rev. August Lehmann of Des Peres served these German families as often as he could. Germans from Prussia, Oldenburg, Bavaria and Missouri furnished the charter members of what came to be named St. Paul's Lutheran congregation. Most were farmers. These Lutherans became part of the religious 'patch-work-quilt' comprising a variety of ethnic backgrounds. French, German, and Swiss. Most of these West County settlers, however, were a generation or more away from their homeland, having been born in Missouri." Early congregation records are even in written in German. A historic cemetery is nearby. Traditional activities that continued through the decades include a Sunday School program on Christmas Eve; the annual Sausage Supper; confirmation classes; and a Banner Guild associated with the congregation's youth for visual arts. The Ladies Aid Society, which is more than 80 years old, raises money by quilting, serving at weddings and funerals, hosting chicken suppers and bazaars, and receiving special offerings, so they can assist charitable causes. Many of this congregants' fundraising events go toward families with special situations, including Christmas gifts for needy families, and donating food to various food banks and the seminary. This church's beliefs come from "the universal Christian Church, The Lutheran Church– Missouri Synod."