St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church’s First Organ and First Organist
   [translated from the original German book of the 50th anniversary of the church] 

Detroit, July 2 1921

  It is with great pleasure that the undersigned frequently recalls the days of his connection with St. John’s congregation during the time of his residence in Rogers City, 1888.  At that time the congregation, it is true, was small, and the worshippers few in number, but it had the one thing of priceless worth: the pure Gospel and the unadulterated Sacraments.  Thought small, the congregation was none the less quite progressive, as the following incident will illustrate.  At that time the congregation had no organ, so that the pastor had to lead in the congregational singing.  One day the writer remarked to the pastor that the congregation out to purchase an organ to relieve him from the strain of leading in the singing.  The pastor more than welcomed the suggestion, and at the following meeting the matter was brought to the attention of the congregation.  Without much debate a resolution was passed to purchase an organ, and while on a trip to Detroit soon after the writer put the congregation’s resolution into effect.

In due time the organ arrived in Rogers city.  But of what good is an organ without an organist?  The congregation now had an organ but it had no organist!  At that time it so happened that the writer played the clarinet, and some members insisted that if one could play the clarinet and accordion he could also play the organ.  Other members took up his argument, and since there was no other way out of the difficulty the undersigned set himself to the task. 

The organ was carted to my store, where, in the intervals between waiting on customers, I familiarized myself with the organ, and diligently practiced some of the more familiar of the good old chorales.  On the following Sunday, though with fear and trembling, I played the organ for the church service.  And after that initial performance served the congregation in the capacity of organist till my removal to Detroit.  This is the story of St. John’s first organ and first organist

Signed:
Fred J Keil, Sr. 

ADDITIONAL NOTES for FRED J KEIL, Sr.:

   Friedrich was confirmed Palm Sunday 1871 by the Rev. Johann Adam Huegli in the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of Detroit, Michigan.  He was in the same class as Friedrich Geddert and Theodor Wirgau, both of whom also were original settlers to Presque Isle County.

   From the 75th Anniversary Edition of the Advance is the following article:  "July 26, 1883 - Last Sunday, the elite of Rogers City and Crawfords Quarry, formed themselves into a picnic party in honor of Mrs. Keil and Mr. Louis Keil  who have been paying a visit to Mr. Frederick Keil, of Rogers City.  A perfect cavalcade of carriages met at noon in Rogers City and proceeded out to the beautiful grove on the farm of Mr. Theodore Noffze, of the town of Belknap.  Mr. Fred Keil with the accordion and Mr. Louis Keil, who is a perfect artist on the cornet, discoursed sweet music to the waltzers.  Eatables and drinkables rapidly disappeared.  A splendid time was had,  and not until the shades of evening began to fall, did the merry party make preparations for starting home again, which they then did with the highest of good spirits and perfectly satisfied with the day's enjoyment.  The return drive was delightful and included a call on Mr. Paul Bittner  of Crawford's Quarry, and serenade upon himself and Mrs. Bittner.

   Another article:  "April 9, 1885 -  Fred J. Keil, mail contractor of the U.S.Mail route between Rogers city and Alpena, made a remarkably fast trip this week; he left for Alpena on Tuesday morning and arrived here Wednesday noon.  We don't know how Fred manages to get around, but it evidently seems to us that he don't let any grass grow under his feet."

   Fred was also partner with Robert Horn in the store they owned-operated in Rogers City.  The store was bought from Hermann Hoeft.

   From the Detroit city directory of 1890 is shown Friedrich J Keil - a stained glass worker with Wm Wright Co.  His residence is listed as 431 Adelaide   Also living at that address is Henry Keil, a woodcarver; and John Keil, a blacksmith.  [Friedrich, Henry and John were brothers]

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