Peter Yost
Peter Jost (also spelled Yost) led the Free Evangelical Brethren Church from its founding in December 1900 until September 1922. According to the church records, Elder Brother Yost was chosen to lead the congregation by casting lots to make a fair selection. After his selection, a laying on of hands took place, a symbolic and formal method of invoking the Holy Spirit during the ordination of church leaders. He stepped away from leadership duties when the German Evangelical Congregational Brethren Church was formed, and the pastorate was transferred to Rev. Conrad J. Wagner. From late 1922 to 1926, Peter continued to lead prayer meetings.
A second Elder, Brother Heinrich Hagelganz, was elected and joined Brother Yost in a co-pastorship in 1907. Neither Heinrich Hagelganz nor Peter Yost was an ordained minister at this time.
Peter Yost (originally spelled Jost) was born in Norka, Russia, on July 4, 1850, the son of Heinrich and Christina (Sauer) Yost. He was confirmed in 1865 by Pastor Bonwetsch in Norka.
On February 11, 1874, Peter married Elizabeth Nolde, born March 30, 1852, in Norka. Three children were born in Norka: Ludwig (March 11, 1876), Heinrich Peter (October 14, 1878), and Heinrich (March 5, 1883).
Yost was an adherent of the Brethren movement in Russia, which was particularly strong in Norka due to the support from Rev. Wilhelm Stärkel.
Peter Yost arrived in the United States on December 12, 1889, with his wife, Elizabeth (Lizzie), and their sons. A daughter, Katharina (Katie), was born on June 22, 1890, shortly after they arrived in Sutton, Nebraska.
Peter and Lizzie soon moved to Portland, where they arrived on September 29, 1890. In 1891, they were listed in the Albina City Directory at the same address as Peter and Mollie Wolf, who were also from Norka.
The Yosts became charter members of the Ebenezer German Congregational Church in 1892. They remained part of this congregation for many years until resigning to form the Free Evangelical Brethren Church in 1900. This was likely due to the departure of Rev. Johannes Koch and the arrival of a new pastor at the church.
Peter and his brother Conrad Yost, who also lived in Portland, were among the ministers and delegates who organized the Pacific Conference of German Congregational Churches. The Conference, covering the states of Oregon and Washington, was founded on March 5, 1897, at the Ebenezer German Congregational Church in Portland. Also attending from Portland were Rev. Johannes Koch and John Krieger.
The Yost family lived at 827 Union Avenue from 1900 through his death in 1927. Peter is shown as a day laborer in 1900 and a shoemaker in 1910. In 1910, Peter's daughter Katharina (Catherine) married Gottfried Geist, and they lived with Peter and Lizzie. Peter's son, Peter A. Yost (a butcher), was married and living with his wife, Nellie, on Michigan Avenue.
Peter served the
Peter Yost died in his home on Union Avenue on June 4, 1927. A funeral service was held at the Ebenezer German Congregational Church on June 6th. Peter is buried with his wife, Elizabeth, at the Rose City Cemetery. Elizabeth died a few months later on August 9, 1927. Her death was said to be hastened by the loss of her husband.
Peter Yost (originally spelled Jost) was born in Norka, Russia, on July 4, 1850, the son of Heinrich and Christina (Sauer) Yost. He was confirmed in 1865 by Pastor Bonwetsch in Norka.
On February 11, 1874, Peter married Elizabeth Nolde, born March 30, 1852, in Norka. Three children were born in Norka: Ludwig (March 11, 1876), Heinrich Peter (October 14, 1878), and Heinrich (March 5, 1883).
Yost was an adherent of the Brethren movement in Russia, which was particularly strong in Norka due to the support from Rev. Wilhelm Stärkel.
Peter Yost arrived in the United States on December 12, 1889, with his wife, Elizabeth (Lizzie), and their sons. A daughter, Katharina (Katie), was born on June 22, 1890, shortly after they arrived in Sutton, Nebraska.
Peter and Lizzie soon moved to Portland, where they arrived on September 29, 1890. In 1891, they were listed in the Albina City Directory at the same address as Peter and Mollie Wolf, who were also from Norka.
The Yosts became charter members of the Ebenezer German Congregational Church in 1892. They remained part of this congregation for many years until resigning to form the Free Evangelical Brethren Church in 1900. This was likely due to the departure of Rev. Johannes Koch and the arrival of a new pastor at the church.
Peter and his brother Conrad Yost, who also lived in Portland, were among the ministers and delegates who organized the Pacific Conference of German Congregational Churches. The Conference, covering the states of Oregon and Washington, was founded on March 5, 1897, at the Ebenezer German Congregational Church in Portland. Also attending from Portland were Rev. Johannes Koch and John Krieger.
The Yost family lived at 827 Union Avenue from 1900 through his death in 1927. Peter is shown as a day laborer in 1900 and a shoemaker in 1910. In 1910, Peter's daughter Katharina (Catherine) married Gottfried Geist, and they lived with Peter and Lizzie. Peter's son, Peter A. Yost (a butcher), was married and living with his wife, Nellie, on Michigan Avenue.
Peter served the
Peter Yost died in his home on Union Avenue on June 4, 1927. A funeral service was held at the Ebenezer German Congregational Church on June 6th. Peter is buried with his wife, Elizabeth, at the Rose City Cemetery. Elizabeth died a few months later on August 9, 1927. Her death was said to be hastened by the loss of her husband.
Sources
Kniss, Conrad. "History of the Free Evangelical Brethren Church." Free Evangelical Brethren Church Records 1900-1922. Portland, OR: 341-42. Print.
Krieger, Joanne, trans. Ebenezer Congregational Church, Portland, Oregon, 1892-1908. Portland, OR: n.p., 1999. 18. Print.
"Brief History of The Brethren Congregational Church." Evangelical Congregational Brethren Church. Trans. Joanne Krieger. Portland, OR: n.p., 2000. 1-6. Print.
Churches along the Oregon Trail: A History of Churches Identified with the Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ. Portland, Or.: Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ, 1976. Print.
"Funeral Notices - Yost." The Oregonian [Portland], June 5, 1927, pg. 3.
“Former Pastor of Congregational Churches is Dead.” The Oregon Daily Journal, Sunday, June 5, 1927, page 7. Accessed on Ancestry.com.
Peter Yost Obituary. Der Kirchenbote, Vol. 45, #37, 15 Sep 1927, written by Pastor George H. Graf.
Mrs. Elizabeth Yost Obituary. The Oregon Daily Journal, Sunday, August 21, 1927, page 2.
Ancestry.com
Krieger, Joanne, trans. Ebenezer Congregational Church, Portland, Oregon, 1892-1908. Portland, OR: n.p., 1999. 18. Print.
"Brief History of The Brethren Congregational Church." Evangelical Congregational Brethren Church. Trans. Joanne Krieger. Portland, OR: n.p., 2000. 1-6. Print.
Churches along the Oregon Trail: A History of Churches Identified with the Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ. Portland, Or.: Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ, 1976. Print.
"Funeral Notices - Yost." The Oregonian [Portland], June 5, 1927, pg. 3.
“Former Pastor of Congregational Churches is Dead.” The Oregon Daily Journal, Sunday, June 5, 1927, page 7. Accessed on Ancestry.com.
Peter Yost Obituary. Der Kirchenbote, Vol. 45, #37, 15 Sep 1927, written by Pastor George H. Graf.
Mrs. Elizabeth Yost Obituary. The Oregon Daily Journal, Sunday, August 21, 1927, page 2.
Ancestry.com
Last updated October 6, 2025