Beer, Germans & Methodism

A Talk With Historian Elizabeth Kurrus

Join historian Elizabeth Kurrus for a look at how German immigrants in 19th-century St. Louis wrestled with questions of identity, faith and culture. This talk explores the challenges faced by German Americans during a time of intense social change. A Q&A will follow. Made possible by the Missouri Humanities Council. Adults.

When German immigrant Ludwig Jacoby rode his horse into St. Louis in 1841, he couldn’t have possibly known the chaos that would ensue. The Methodist minister’s pursuit of building a church was met with challenges so extreme, it’s amazing he had the will to push forward. Set in the context of a city struggling with the influx of people, this minister and his congregation navigated a timeline of turmoil. St. Louis Germans encountered a clash of cultures each step of the way, facing unrest during the Temperance Movement, the instability of World War I and the confusion of Prohibition.

This presentation takes a look at how German Americans traversed the rocky path of religion, politics and, yes, beer.

Elizabeth Kurrus is a historian and author in St. Louis, Missouri. For the past 15 years, she has served as director of archives for a 183-year-old church. Additionally, Elizabeth conducts independent research for clients seeking information on everything from family histories to historic railroads. Elizabeth has published two books, "Oysters to Angus: Three Generations of the St. Louis Faust Family" and "Ethnic St. Louis," and is researching her next publication on St. Louis’ participation in provisioning westward migrants of the Oregon and California Trails.

A Q&A will follow the presentation. This program is made possible by the Missouri Humanities Council.

Adults.

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