Tradition turkey dinner reaches 100-year milestone – St. Maurice Lutheran Church members still at it

Serving a line of people – hundreds of them – is nothing new to the St. John’s Lutheran Church of Napoleon. They have mastered the art of the Annual Turkey Dinner and streamlined it for 100 years!

“We have had this dinner through all the wars and even COVID,” noted Jane Huffmeyer, 93, who is their oldest member. “We’re a hearty bunch!” they exclaimed as a group of 16 gathered recently to put the final touches on the 100th celebration of the famous Turkey Dinner that will be served this Sunday, November 23 at the church. Others remembered were Hazel Steuri, Alvie Narwold, Mary Lou Fox, Walter Narwold and so many more. “Our roots are very deep,” Huffmeyer noted.

When the tradition began, it was served on Thanksgiving Eve in 1924 as a fundraiser to pay for the new Edifice, which was dedicated in 1924. “It was actually a chicken supper then,” noted Rita Gookins, who heads up the committee, along with Ann Kunz. The men of the Lutheran Brotherhood thought it would be a good idea to open it to the public and so in 1925 they did just that but served turkey and charged fifty cents a plate! George C. Taylor was the man who thought turkey might be more appealing to the public. Rev O.B. Lauver was the pastor at that time.
While the Brotherhood didn’t last a long time, the Men’s Bible Class took over the Turkey Supper. At that time the Rev. August H. Miller taught the Men’s Bible Class and Emerson A. Behlmer taught the ladies of the King’s Daughter Class.

Back in those days the group didn’t go to the grocery or order the turkeys to be brought in. They went out to Harry Smith’s farm on the “east end of town” and butchered the turkeys. The men and women did this together!

In the beginning oil stoves were taken to the Old Napoleon Public School building where the cooking was done. The meal was served in the two large rooms with dividing doors. The dinner has moved to the church basement which is now known as the Bethany Room.

They changed many things over the years to make it more convenient for them and accessible to the public. The same good cooking never changed. They used the funds to pay for the church ($45,000) and even when the Great Depression came, the dinner didn’t stop. They cooked. People came and paid money. They knew the money was for the good of the community through the service of the church.

There is a rich history with this church who has many members who are generational or they married into the church.

Just a little of the history includes that During the war years, the first Rev. Ivan Ross resigned to join the Navy. Then, Dr. Harvey Lawrene came and was assisted by his father-in-law, Rev. Elmer Kahl, who was ill. Rev. Howard Hauter became pastor in 1945. He taught the Men’s Bible Class and Charles Abplanalp had the class for the younger men. Pastor Hauter started the practice of Free Will Offering. Rev. Hauter resigned in 1954, and the Fellowship Class of young adults took over the Turkey Dinner responsibilities with Roy Sarringhaus as the teacher. Ralph Gookins and John Benham also were teachers of the class. Meta Fellerman was the last teacher of the class. As the members of the Men’s Bible Class grew older, the Turkey Supper was turned over to the Church Council.

The meal has helped raise funds for church projects such as Bible School, church insurance, and many improvements such as the kitchen and education building addition.
The ladies remembered when stoves were lined against one wall (to keep the food hot) and they would serve the food from those.

Now they are serving 22 turkeys, along with all the trimmings. They usually serve around 400 people, so if you want to go, you might get there at the beginning, rather than the end! They will begin at 11:30 a.m. this Sunday and serve until 1:30 p.m. They have served up to 900 people in past years, so crowds do not worry them.

It was clear that everyone had a job to do as they prepared. Barbara Rohls said she can’t do some of the heavier things now but is content (and much needed) to sit and mark the paper items that are for carry out.
From their humble beginnings when people brought dishes prepared from their homes to the massive attempt to purchase gallon size vegetable cans and more, this group has shown they have the tenacity to keep going.

Some fun paperwork revealed they have always advertised their event in the local newspapers. One receipt from Ripley Publishing Co. showed they had posters printed there and also purchased a 1 col wide display adv on the front page for .60 cents. That’s right. Just .60 cent on December 1, 1959. They have lists of everything they’ve done, one such list revealed they purchased butter from Dunbar and Bultman turkeys from Walter Narwold, along with paper plates from Behlmer Hardware. Now there are no paper plates. Those dining in will be using real dishes! They also promoted their dinner through the Greensburg Daily News and The Herald Tribune (which is no longer is business).

With everyone doing their part it makes the day run smoothly. They’ve had four inches of snow, but that didn’t stop them. They’ve had to change people’s places on the scheduled, but, “it always falls into place,” according to Gookins.

Cindy Menkedick remembers babysitting (back when she was a teenager) for the children of mothers who would be at the church getting the meal ready. She laughed, saying everyone had something to do.

It was a different time when they started but the joy of serving and keeping their facility up to date has never changed. The group cordially invites everyone to enjoy the fruits of their labor and join them on Sunday. The service starts at 10:00 a.m. and everyone is invited. Carry-outs are available. You can call the church at 812-852-4416.