Beliefs > Churches > German Evangelical Congregational Brethren Church > Pastors > Rev. Conrad J. Wagner
Rev. Conrad J. Wagner
Conrad J. Wagner was born on October 4, 1868, in Frank, Russia, the son of Jacob Wagner (1842-1893) and Anna Margaretha Bender (1845-?). In 1889, he married Anna Maria Kissler, the daughter of Friedrich Kissler and Catharina Margaretha Reiter. It appears that they had a son, Conrad, who was born in Frank in February 1898 and died as an infant.
The couple departed from Frank and immigrated to the United States in 1899. They initially settled in McCook, Nebraska, where Conrad worked as a shoemaker.
In 1903, Conrad entered the Chicago Theological Seminary. He graduated in 1906 and was ordained that year. Rev. Wagner held pastorates in Selby parish, South Dakota, from 1906 to 1908. He then moved to Walla Walla, Washington, where he built and served the Zion church and parsonage during his ministry there (1908-1916).
Rev. Wagner later accepted a call to Endicott, Washington, where he organized the Evangelical Lutheran Church, which he served from 1916 to the end of 1922. Rev. Wagner was called to Portland in September 1922 to become the first ordained minister at the German Evangelical Congregational Brethren Church. Rev. Wagner raised funds to build a new church and parsonage at 238 NE Mason, completed in 1927.
The couple departed from Frank and immigrated to the United States in 1899. They initially settled in McCook, Nebraska, where Conrad worked as a shoemaker.
In 1903, Conrad entered the Chicago Theological Seminary. He graduated in 1906 and was ordained that year. Rev. Wagner held pastorates in Selby parish, South Dakota, from 1906 to 1908. He then moved to Walla Walla, Washington, where he built and served the Zion church and parsonage during his ministry there (1908-1916).
Rev. Wagner later accepted a call to Endicott, Washington, where he organized the Evangelical Lutheran Church, which he served from 1916 to the end of 1922. Rev. Wagner was called to Portland in September 1922 to become the first ordained minister at the German Evangelical Congregational Brethren Church. Rev. Wagner raised funds to build a new church and parsonage at 238 NE Mason, completed in 1927.
In 1933, Rev. Wagner was embroiled in a dispute between two factions within the congregation, resulting in lawsuits and a loss of members to other churches.
The Rev. Conrad J. Wagner died at his home (224 Mason Street in Portland) on November 11, 1934. Funeral services were held at the Brethren Church, and he was buried at the Rose City Cemetery.
Anna Maria died on November 13, 1935, and was buried beside her husband.
The Rev. Conrad J. Wagner died at his home (224 Mason Street in Portland) on November 11, 1934. Funeral services were held at the Brethren Church, and he was buried at the Rose City Cemetery.
Anna Maria died on November 13, 1935, and was buried beside her husband.
Obituary for Rev. Wagner from a German language newspaper. Courtesy of Ruth DeLuca, Walla Walla, Washington.
Portrait of Rev. Wagner. Source: OHS Digital Collection. Oregon Journal Negative Collection; Org. Lot 1368; Box 371; 0371N2570.
Sources
"Brief History of The Brethren Congregational Church." Evangelical Congregational Brethren Church. Trans. Joanne Krieger. Portland, OR: 2000. 1-6. Print.
Eisenach, George J. A History of the German Congregational Churches in the United States. Yankton, SD: Pioneer, 1938. 302. Print.
"Both Sides Score in Church Battle." The Oregonian [Portland], November 14, 1933, pg. 1.
Eisenach, George J. A History of the German Congregational Churches in the United States. Yankton, SD: Pioneer, 1938. 302. Print.
"Both Sides Score in Church Battle." The Oregonian [Portland], November 14, 1933, pg. 1.
Last updated June 1, 2025