Rev. Heinrich Hagelganz
Heinrich Hagelganz was born April 15, 1880 in the Volga German colony of Kutter, Russia. He was born into a Christian family that dedicated him to God in holy baptism in infancy.
Heinrich was only ten years old when his father died. A few years later, he began an apprenticeship to become a cabinet maker in the Russian city of Saratov. Because he left home at such a young age, Heinrich looked to God for love and comfort.
In his later years, after receiving instruction in the cardinal truths of the Bible and church doctrine, he was confirmed and admitted to church membership. Young Heinrich received a good education in Russia and effectively applied it upon arriving in America. At 19, he consecrated his life to God, whom he served faithfully unto the last day of his fruitful life.
On May 5, 1901, at the age of 21, Heinrich married Elisabeth Jacoby (also Jacobi), born on December 24, 1879, in the colony of Kutter.
Heinrich learned of opportunities in America from his friend Heinrich Gerlach, who lived in Portland, Oregon. In the summer of 1906, the family traveled by rail from Saratov to the port of Libau, Russia (now Liepāja, Latvia), where they departed by steamship to England. On August 30, 1906, Heinrich, his wife Elisabeth, and their three young children —Maria (born in Kutter), Katharina, and Jacob (born in Saratov) — sailed from Liverpool aboard the steamship Ottawa. The family arrived in Quebec, Canada, on September 6, 1906, and they continued their travel directly to Portland by train on the Grand Trunk Railway, crossing into the United States at Detroit, Michigan. The ship records show that one-half of the passage was paid by Heinrich, and the other half was paid by Heinrich Gerlach.
Heinrich was only ten years old when his father died. A few years later, he began an apprenticeship to become a cabinet maker in the Russian city of Saratov. Because he left home at such a young age, Heinrich looked to God for love and comfort.
In his later years, after receiving instruction in the cardinal truths of the Bible and church doctrine, he was confirmed and admitted to church membership. Young Heinrich received a good education in Russia and effectively applied it upon arriving in America. At 19, he consecrated his life to God, whom he served faithfully unto the last day of his fruitful life.
On May 5, 1901, at the age of 21, Heinrich married Elisabeth Jacoby (also Jacobi), born on December 24, 1879, in the colony of Kutter.
Heinrich learned of opportunities in America from his friend Heinrich Gerlach, who lived in Portland, Oregon. In the summer of 1906, the family traveled by rail from Saratov to the port of Libau, Russia (now Liepāja, Latvia), where they departed by steamship to England. On August 30, 1906, Heinrich, his wife Elisabeth, and their three young children —Maria (born in Kutter), Katharina, and Jacob (born in Saratov) — sailed from Liverpool aboard the steamship Ottawa. The family arrived in Quebec, Canada, on September 6, 1906, and they continued their travel directly to Portland by train on the Grand Trunk Railway, crossing into the United States at Detroit, Michigan. The ship records show that one-half of the passage was paid by Heinrich, and the other half was paid by Heinrich Gerlach.
Heinrich and Elisabeth Hagelganz with their three children. Photograph courtesy of Joanne Krieger.
After the Hagelganz family arrived in Portland, they briefly lived in the household of Heinrich Gerlach at 945 Haight Avenue (now 4415 N. Haight Avenue). They rented their house at 797 Haight Avenue (now possibly 3807 N. Haight Avenue) shortly after. Heinrich found work as a cabinetmaker.
The Hagelganz family at their rental house at 797 Haight Avenue, circa 1907. Photograph courtesy of Joanne Krieger.
Soon after he arrived in Portland, Heinrich and his family joined the Free Evangelical Brethren Church, where he organized the young people’s Christian Endeavor Society of the church and was active in the church choirs. His gift for preaching was readily discovered, and the church elected him assistant Elder.
Heinrich's wife, Elisabeth, fell ill and died on June 6, 1910. After her death, Heinrich married Emilie Bartholoma on September 9, 1910. Emilie was born in the Volga German colony of Walter, Russia. Three children were born from this union: Ruben, William, and Minna.
Heinrich became a naturalized U.S. citizen in May 1911, with Rev. John Hopp and John Krieger as his witnesses.
Heinrich's wife, Elisabeth, fell ill and died on June 6, 1910. After her death, Heinrich married Emilie Bartholoma on September 9, 1910. Emilie was born in the Volga German colony of Walter, Russia. Three children were born from this union: Ruben, William, and Minna.
Heinrich became a naturalized U.S. citizen in May 1911, with Rev. John Hopp and John Krieger as his witnesses.
Reuben, William and Minna Hagelganz. Photograph courtesy of Joanne Krieger.
Heinrich remained active in the church and felt a deep sense of God's calling to serve Him. He answered the high calling by saying: “Here I am – send me!” Heinrich was ordained on July 7, 1911, to become a minister of the Gospel. His first charge was the small German Congregational Church of Cedar Mill in the Bethany community, located at the current intersection of Highway 26 and the Bethany Boulevard overpass, which was organized in 1887. He served this congregation for approximately four years. The family lived near the church but continued associating with friends from the Free Evangelical Brethren Church in Portland, who had encouraged him to become a pastor. They traveled the Great Plank Road from the Bethany community to Portland. This route likely traveled over present-day Cornell Road to the foot of NW Quimby, where the Albina Ferry landing was located, and then up Albina Avenue to the primary Volga German settlement, about 11 miles.
On June 1, 1913, Brothers G. Hohnstein, C. Wacker, Ludwig Deines, and Christian Baecker, all members of the Free Evangelical Brethren Church, visited Rev. Hagelganz in Bethany and shared their thoughts on their dissatisfaction with those controlling the church and its doctrine. Rev. Hagelganz encouraged these Brothers to reconcile their differences if possible. When it became clear that reconciliation was impossible, Rev. Hagelganz agreed to help form a new congregation.
A group of at least 29 members from the Free Evangelical Brethren Church met with Rev. Hagelganz at the home of Melchior and Katharine Krieger on June 22, 1913, where they formally organized the Zweiten Deutschen Kongregationalen Gemeinde (Second German Congregational Church). The new church's name recognized that Ebenezer was the first Congregational church in Portland. A vacant lot was purchased at the corner of NE 8th and Skidmore, and a church structure was built in the summer of 1913.
Pastor Hagelganz, with the approval of his new congregation, continued to live in the Bethany community, alternating his preaching time each Sunday between the two congregations until he moved back to Portland in 1915.
On June 1, 1913, Brothers G. Hohnstein, C. Wacker, Ludwig Deines, and Christian Baecker, all members of the Free Evangelical Brethren Church, visited Rev. Hagelganz in Bethany and shared their thoughts on their dissatisfaction with those controlling the church and its doctrine. Rev. Hagelganz encouraged these Brothers to reconcile their differences if possible. When it became clear that reconciliation was impossible, Rev. Hagelganz agreed to help form a new congregation.
A group of at least 29 members from the Free Evangelical Brethren Church met with Rev. Hagelganz at the home of Melchior and Katharine Krieger on June 22, 1913, where they formally organized the Zweiten Deutschen Kongregationalen Gemeinde (Second German Congregational Church). The new church's name recognized that Ebenezer was the first Congregational church in Portland. A vacant lot was purchased at the corner of NE 8th and Skidmore, and a church structure was built in the summer of 1913.
Pastor Hagelganz, with the approval of his new congregation, continued to live in the Bethany community, alternating his preaching time each Sunday between the two congregations until he moved back to Portland in 1915.
After Heinrich's second wife, Emilie, passed away on March 9, 1926, he married Marie Spanjer from Ritzville, Washington. Marie's parents were born in Germany, lived in Illinois, and settled in Eastern Washington. Heinrich met Marie (Mary) at the Pacific Conference of German Congregational Churches. One daughter, Alma, was born from this union. In 1927, the Hagelganz family settled into the newly constructed parsonage next to the Second German Congregational Church, located at 912 East 8th North (now 4222 NE 8th).
Rev. Heinrich Hagelganz and his third wife Marie Spanjer. Photograph courtesy of Joanne Krieger.
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A Christmas card sent by Rev. Heinrich Hagelganz, his wife, Marie, and their daughter, Alma. Courtesy of Joanne Krieger.
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Except for two years (1927 - May 1929), when he was called to pastor a church in Fort Collins, Colorado, he continuously served his beloved Second German Congregational Church until his death.
Rev. Hagelganz was a driving force behind the expansion of the church building in 1921 and 1932 to accommodate its growing membership.
Music played an essential role in the church, with active choirs and bands. The Radio Club of the Second German Congregational Church was a popular program in Portland and the surrounding area. The half-hour program was broadcast on KWJJ every Sunday evening from 9:30 to 10:00. Vocal music by choir members was followed by an inspirational message by Rev. Hagelganz.
Rev. Hagelganz had often indicated that he did not wish to be a burden to anyone due to age or physical frailty. God answered his prayer and left him in active service until his last Sunday sermon on January 23, 1949.
Rev. Hagelganz was a driving force behind the expansion of the church building in 1921 and 1932 to accommodate its growing membership.
Music played an essential role in the church, with active choirs and bands. The Radio Club of the Second German Congregational Church was a popular program in Portland and the surrounding area. The half-hour program was broadcast on KWJJ every Sunday evening from 9:30 to 10:00. Vocal music by choir members was followed by an inspirational message by Rev. Hagelganz.
Rev. Hagelganz had often indicated that he did not wish to be a burden to anyone due to age or physical frailty. God answered his prayer and left him in active service until his last Sunday sermon on January 23, 1949.
Rev. Heinrich Hagelganz died on January 29, 1949. His obituary reflected that God had taken His servant to the place where “he rests from his labors and his works do follow after him.”
Reverend Hagelganz was interred at the Rose City Cemetery in Portland. Reverend D.K. Schmidt officiated the memorial services, assisted by the Reverends: Carl Brost, T.C. Strobel, William Koenig, Jonathan Webber, and J.C. Schwabenland.
Reverend Hagelganz was interred at the Rose City Cemetery in Portland. Reverend D.K. Schmidt officiated the memorial services, assisted by the Reverends: Carl Brost, T.C. Strobel, William Koenig, Jonathan Webber, and J.C. Schwabenland.
The character of Rev. Hagelganz was well represented in his obituary published in The Christian Messenger:
His faithfulness made him a part of his church, and every member had become a part of him. The intimacy between the pastor and the members, especially with those he had baptized, confirmed, united in marriage, lead to the Lord, and taught in the way of God, had become beyond comparison. His friendliness and his sound humor had made him a friend of everyone who knew him. His words of encouragement and comfort were a "balm to the weary" wherever he met an unfortunate brother or sister. He was one of the few persons who could find joy in God's great outdoors as well as in the holy sanctuary of his church. When asked if he had any hobby, he sternly answered: “Yes, to win souls for Christ.” He took great interest in either conducting revival meetings or in participating in them and was well qualified in both singing and speaking. At the time of his death he was moderator of the Pacific Conference of German Congregational Churches and had served on committees of the General Conference of German Congregational Churches.
Marie Hagelganz died on January 20, 1968, and was buried beside Heinrich at the Rose City Cemetery.
Dr. James Hagelganz, a grandson of Heinrich, followed in his grandfather's footsteps and became a pastor.
Dr. James Hagelganz, a grandson of Heinrich, followed in his grandfather's footsteps and became a pastor.
Sources
Memorial card for Rev. Heinrich Hagelganz, February 1st, 1949.
Obituary for Rev. Heinrich Hagelganz from The Christian Messenger.
Ancestry.com
Joanne and Willis Krieger.
Nelson, Donald R. The Bethany Community: As It Was...and Is Today. S.l.: Donald R. Nelson, 2007. 42-45. Print.
Obituary for Rev. Heinrich Hagelganz from The Christian Messenger.
Ancestry.com
Joanne and Willis Krieger.
Nelson, Donald R. The Bethany Community: As It Was...and Is Today. S.l.: Donald R. Nelson, 2007. 42-45. Print.
Last updated May 26, 2025