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Second German Congregational Church Confirmation Classes

Confirmation was a sacrament of the church for youth ages 13 to 16. Classes met weekly, from September to Palm Sunday, for instruction in church doctrine and Bible history. Memorizing the books of The Bible, The Apostle's Creed, The Lord's Prayer and selective passages such as Psalm 23 were included in confirmation classes. After the students accomplished all that memory work, they were required to memorize answers to questions that would be asked on Confirmation Day. The answers often included the memorization of more Bible verses.

Palm Sunday was usually when the class would be presented to the congregation. When the examination was complete, the class was invited to receive communion for the first time. In addition to receiving a certificate, the girls usually wore a corsage and the boys a boutineer. After confirmation, the students were encouraged to become members of the church and to participate in adult activities.

The largest confirmation class was in 1926 with 39 students. The smallest class was in 1977 with 2 students.

Eight of the 749 students became church pastors, five were missionaries and five were choir directors. Others served the church as board members, teachers and youth leaders.

Sources

Joanne Krieger

Krieger, Joanne, Robert Beall, Marie Krieger, and Willis Krieger, trans. Second German Congregational Church, Portland, Oregon, 1913-1969. Portland: n.p., 2001. Print.
Last updated February 21, 2018.