Memorial Fund to Benefit Lutheran Church

The Corydon Democrat

Wednesday, May 3, 2006

     The five children of Wenonah T. Pendleton have created a fund at the Harrison County Community Foundation in memory of their mother. The St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Fund will provide support to the church, specifically for building construction or remodeling projects and local church endeavors.

      The St. Peter’s Lutheran Evangelical Church Congregation originated in 1852 and soon held their first services in a 24-foot by 36-foot log cabin that they built. The current structure, located on St. Peter’s Church Road in Corydon, was built in 1880. The church is about 150 members strong and actively works to promote the teachings of Christ within the congregation and throughout the community.

      Wenonah Pendleton of New Middletown passed away this past February. She was a native of Harrison County, born here on Feb. 9, 1915. She was the daughter of Henry F. and Henrietta Kraft Winterkorn. Pendleton was a graduate of New Middletown High School where she was a member of the girls basketball team. She was a long-time member of the New Middletown Home Economics Club and Royal Neighbors of America. Pendleton was an active and dedicated member at the church who taught Sunday school for many years. She was baptized at the church and was a lifelong member. “Since my father died many years ago, this church has been her life, along with her children and grandchildren,” said Wenonah’s son, J. Gordon Pendleton of Corydon. Wenonah Pendleton is buried in the church cemetery.

      Her children besides Gordon are Nancy Cowee of Aurora, Colo., Henry Polk Pendleton of Nabb, Sharon Timberlake of Lanesville and Larry Pendleton of Laguna Beach, Calif. Some of Pendleton’s children and grandchildren are members of the church as well.

      The Harrison County Community Foundation provided a matching gift to create this fund and any additional donation is eligible for a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $25,000. Anyone who wishes to make a donation to the St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Fund may contact the HCCF staff at 738-6668 or mail donations to the Foundation, P.O. Box 279, Corydon, IN 47112. Checks should be made out to Harrison County Community Foundation with the name of the fund in the memo line.