Pastor of the German Evangelical Congregation
of Jefferson City, MO 1860-1869
One of the founders of the German Evangelical Synod of North America, established 1840.
Secretary of the Illinois Anti-Slavery Society, founded by his friend, Elijah Lovejoy.
Joseph Rieger founded several German Evangelical Churches in Western Illinois and Eastern Missouri, but at the start of the Civil War, Rieger was Pastor of a German Evangelical Church in Jefferson City, MO. Rieger was so hated by the slaveowners in Warren County that they threatened to burn the Marthasville Seminary, according to an 1863 report of the Marthasville Seminary. Rieger conducted marriages and funerals for Negro slaves in Missouri when such weddings were unlawful and the funerals discouraged, and he became one of the first trustees of Lincoln Institute (University) when it was chartered in 1865.
From The Illustrated Sketch Book and Directory of Jefferson City and Cole County, published in 1900
The German Evangelical Central congregation of Jefferson City was organized as early as 1858, but for more than two years was without a regular pastor, services being conducted at certain intervals by itinerant preachers. The meetings were held in private houses of members until 1859, when a plain brick church was built at a cost of about $1,500.
In June 1860, Rev. Joseph Rieger, one of the pioneer preachers and founders of the Evangelical Synod, became the first pastor of the congregation. Soon after his arrival a parsonage was built at a cost of $1,300. The efforts of this pious, sincere and kind-hearted pastor were significantly blessed and the congregation flourished under his leadership. Although of a frail constitution he was an indefatigable worker and not only administered to the wants of his own flock, but was ever willing to do good wherever he had an opportunity.
During the Civil War he voluntarily and gratuitously performed the duties as chaplain of the state penitentiary. It was no uncommon thing during that tragic period to find the parsonage turned into a hospital, where sick and wounded privates and officers were being nursed by him. He was well known to the state officers, being intimate with a number of them. The colored race never had a better friend than Mr. Rieger, and he was one of the first and principal promoters of Lincoln Institute, serving as a member of the Board of Regents of said institute until his death.
On the 20th of August, 1869, "Father" Rieger, as he was commonly known, was called from his sphere of activity and the mortal remains of this faithful servant of the Lord were laid to rest in the church cemetery in the presence of the Governor, many state officers, all the preachers of the city, a large congregation, but especially the poor and common people whom he had befriended by his many benevolent acts.
of Jefferson City, MO 1860-1869
One of the founders of the German Evangelical Synod of North America, established 1840.
Secretary of the Illinois Anti-Slavery Society, founded by his friend, Elijah Lovejoy.
Joseph Rieger founded several German Evangelical Churches in Western Illinois and Eastern Missouri, but at the start of the Civil War, Rieger was Pastor of a German Evangelical Church in Jefferson City, MO. Rieger was so hated by the slaveowners in Warren County that they threatened to burn the Marthasville Seminary, according to an 1863 report of the Marthasville Seminary. Rieger conducted marriages and funerals for Negro slaves in Missouri when such weddings were unlawful and the funerals discouraged, and he became one of the first trustees of Lincoln Institute (University) when it was chartered in 1865.
From The Illustrated Sketch Book and Directory of Jefferson City and Cole County, published in 1900
The German Evangelical Central congregation of Jefferson City was organized as early as 1858, but for more than two years was without a regular pastor, services being conducted at certain intervals by itinerant preachers. The meetings were held in private houses of members until 1859, when a plain brick church was built at a cost of about $1,500.
In June 1860, Rev. Joseph Rieger, one of the pioneer preachers and founders of the Evangelical Synod, became the first pastor of the congregation. Soon after his arrival a parsonage was built at a cost of $1,300. The efforts of this pious, sincere and kind-hearted pastor were significantly blessed and the congregation flourished under his leadership. Although of a frail constitution he was an indefatigable worker and not only administered to the wants of his own flock, but was ever willing to do good wherever he had an opportunity.
During the Civil War he voluntarily and gratuitously performed the duties as chaplain of the state penitentiary. It was no uncommon thing during that tragic period to find the parsonage turned into a hospital, where sick and wounded privates and officers were being nursed by him. He was well known to the state officers, being intimate with a number of them. The colored race never had a better friend than Mr. Rieger, and he was one of the first and principal promoters of Lincoln Institute, serving as a member of the Board of Regents of said institute until his death.
On the 20th of August, 1869, "Father" Rieger, as he was commonly known, was called from his sphere of activity and the mortal remains of this faithful servant of the Lord were laid to rest in the church cemetery in the presence of the Governor, many state officers, all the preachers of the city, a large congregation, but especially the poor and common people whom he had befriended by his many benevolent acts.
Pastor of the German Evangelical Congregation
of Jefferson City, MO 1860-1869
One of the founders of the German Evangelical Synod of North America, established 1840.
Secretary of the Illinois Anti-Slavery Society, founded by his friend, Elijah Lovejoy.
Joseph Rieger founded several German Evangelical Churches in Western Illinois and Eastern Missouri, but at the start of the Civil War, Rieger was Pastor of a German Evangelical Church in Jefferson City, MO. Rieger was so hated by the slaveowners in Warren County that they threatened to burn the Marthasville Seminary, according to an 1863 report of the Marthasville Seminary. Rieger conducted marriages and funerals for Negro slaves in Missouri when such weddings were unlawful and the funerals discouraged, and he became one of the first trustees of Lincoln Institute (University) when it was chartered in 1865.
From The Illustrated Sketch Book and Directory of Jefferson City and Cole County, published in 1900
The German Evangelical Central congregation of Jefferson City was organized as early as 1858, but for more than two years was without a regular pastor, services being conducted at certain intervals by itinerant preachers. The meetings were held in private houses of members until 1859, when a plain brick church was built at a cost of about $1,500.
In June 1860, Rev. Joseph Rieger, one of the pioneer preachers and founders of the Evangelical Synod, became the first pastor of the congregation. Soon after his arrival a parsonage was built at a cost of $1,300. The efforts of this pious, sincere and kind-hearted pastor were significantly blessed and the congregation flourished under his leadership. Although of a frail constitution he was an indefatigable worker and not only administered to the wants of his own flock, but was ever willing to do good wherever he had an opportunity.
During the Civil War he voluntarily and gratuitously performed the duties as chaplain of the state penitentiary. It was no uncommon thing during that tragic period to find the parsonage turned into a hospital, where sick and wounded privates and officers were being nursed by him. He was well known to the state officers, being intimate with a number of them. The colored race never had a better friend than Mr. Rieger, and he was one of the first and principal promoters of Lincoln Institute, serving as a member of the Board of Regents of said institute until his death.
On the 20th of August, 1869, "Father" Rieger, as he was commonly known, was called from his sphere of activity and the mortal remains of this faithful servant of the Lord were laid to rest in the church cemetery in the presence of the Governor, many state officers, all the preachers of the city, a large congregation, but especially the poor and common people whom he had befriended by his many benevolent acts.
of Jefferson City, MO 1860-1869
One of the founders of the German Evangelical Synod of North America, established 1840.
Secretary of the Illinois Anti-Slavery Society, founded by his friend, Elijah Lovejoy.
Joseph Rieger founded several German Evangelical Churches in Western Illinois and Eastern Missouri, but at the start of the Civil War, Rieger was Pastor of a German Evangelical Church in Jefferson City, MO. Rieger was so hated by the slaveowners in Warren County that they threatened to burn the Marthasville Seminary, according to an 1863 report of the Marthasville Seminary. Rieger conducted marriages and funerals for Negro slaves in Missouri when such weddings were unlawful and the funerals discouraged, and he became one of the first trustees of Lincoln Institute (University) when it was chartered in 1865.
From The Illustrated Sketch Book and Directory of Jefferson City and Cole County, published in 1900
The German Evangelical Central congregation of Jefferson City was organized as early as 1858, but for more than two years was without a regular pastor, services being conducted at certain intervals by itinerant preachers. The meetings were held in private houses of members until 1859, when a plain brick church was built at a cost of about $1,500.
In June 1860, Rev. Joseph Rieger, one of the pioneer preachers and founders of the Evangelical Synod, became the first pastor of the congregation. Soon after his arrival a parsonage was built at a cost of $1,300. The efforts of this pious, sincere and kind-hearted pastor were significantly blessed and the congregation flourished under his leadership. Although of a frail constitution he was an indefatigable worker and not only administered to the wants of his own flock, but was ever willing to do good wherever he had an opportunity.
During the Civil War he voluntarily and gratuitously performed the duties as chaplain of the state penitentiary. It was no uncommon thing during that tragic period to find the parsonage turned into a hospital, where sick and wounded privates and officers were being nursed by him. He was well known to the state officers, being intimate with a number of them. The colored race never had a better friend than Mr. Rieger, and he was one of the first and principal promoters of Lincoln Institute, serving as a member of the Board of Regents of said institute until his death.
On the 20th of August, 1869, "Father" Rieger, as he was commonly known, was called from his sphere of activity and the mortal remains of this faithful servant of the Lord were laid to rest in the church cemetery in the presence of the Governor, many state officers, all the preachers of the city, a large congregation, but especially the poor and common people whom he had befriended by his many benevolent acts.
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