Exhibits and Events >
Upcoming Exhibits and Events
Presentation: "Volga German Churches : Expressing Faith Through Architecture"

Saturday, May 5, 2012, Noon
Faith Lutheran Church, 8208 18th Ave. NE, Seattle, Washington

Faith was such an important part of life in 18th Century Europe that Catherine the Great's 1763 Manifesto which enticed the Germans to move to Russia specifically guaranteed the immigrants' right to unhindered freedom of religious worship in accordance with their church dogmas and practices. Furthermore, it granted them permission to build churches and campaniles (bell towers). Brent Mai, Director of the Center for Volga German Studies, will share dozens of photographs of the amazing craftsmanship that went into construction of these magnificent structures, inside and out, and discuss the religious architectural heritage of the Volga Germans. Potluck at noon (bring dish to share and your own table service) with presentation at 1:15. Public is invited to attend.

 
Presentation: "Volga German Churches : Expressing Faith Through Architecture"

Saturday, May 19, 2012, Noon
Phoenix Club, 1340 S. Sanderson Ave., Anaheim, California

Faith was such an important part of life in 18th Century Europe that Catherine the Great's 1763 Manifesto which enticed the Germans to move to Russia specifically guaranteed the immigrants' right to unhindered freedom of religious worship in accordance with their church dogmas and practices. Furthermore, it granted them permission to build churches and campaniles (bell towers). Brent Mai, Director of the Center for Volga German Studies, will share dozens of photographs of the amazing craftsmanship that went into construction of these magnificent structures, inside and out, and discuss the religious architectural heritage of the Volga Germans. Lunch at noon will be followed by the presentation at 1:30. Public is invited to attend; reservations required by May 11 - contact Velda Davis at 661.946.5575.

 
2012 AHSGR Annual Convention

Thursday-Sunday, June 14-17, 2012
Concordia University, 2800 NE Liberty St., Portland, Oregon

The 2012 Annual Convention of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia will be hosted on the Concordia University Campus by the Oregon Chapter of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia and the Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University. All are invited to attend! Additional information about registration, program schedules, accommodations can be found at the Convention Website.

 
2012 GRHS Annual Convention

Saturday, July 21, 2012
Ramkota Hotel & Conference Center, Bismarck, North Dakota

Brent Mai, CVGS Director, will make two presentations at the 2012 Annual Convention of the Germans from Russia Heritage Society. The first will cover an introduction to Volga German history. The second will cover the Volga Relief Society. Additional information about registration, program schedules, accommodations can be found at the Convention Website.

 
Past Exhibits & Events
Presentation: "Volga German Churches : Expressing Faith Through Architecture"

Saturday, April 21, 2012, 1:00 p.m.
Center for Volga German Studies, 2800 NE Liberty St., Portland, Oregon

As part of the semi-annual gathering of the Council of Northwest Chapters of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, Brent Mai, Director of the Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University, will present information regarding the architecture and history of the Protestant and Catholic parishes that existed among the Volga German colonies from 1764-1941. A potluck will precede the presentation at 12 Noon. All are invited to attend!

 
Defining German Culture Through the Eyes of the Volga Germans

Saturday, November 5, 2011, 6:30 p.m.
Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel, 8235 Northeast Airport Way, Portland, Oregon

CVGS Director, Brent Mai, will be the keynote speaker at the German-American Heritage Day Ball sponsored by the German American Society of Portland. The dinner will be followed by a dance with music by the S-Bahn Band of Vancouver, B.C. Cost: $40.00. For additional information contact the German American Society.

 
The Volga Germans of the Pacific Northwest

Saturday, October 22, 2011, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 7307 N. Nevada Street, Spokane, Washington

The Center for Volga German Studies is sponsoring a day-long program that includes two presentations, genealogical research assistance, and a traditional German lunch. Brent Mai, CVGS Director, will make two presentations: At 10:00 a.m. "Who Are the Volga Germans" and at 1:00 p.m. "Expressing Faith through Architecture: German Churches along the Russian Volga." In addition to Brent, Doris Evans of Almira, Washington, will be available to answer questions about your Volga German ancestry and research materials will be available. All are invited to attend! Cost: $8.00 (for lunch). Please RSVP to Linda Church at 503.493.6370 or lchurch@cu-portland.edu.

 
Two Day Event : Volga German Research and Reformation

Saturday, October 29, 2011, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Center for Volga German Studies, 2800 NE Liberty St., Portland, Oregon

Sunday, October 30, 2011, 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 4265 SW Golf Course Rd., Cornelius, Oregon

On Saturday, October 29th, expert researchers will be available all day in the Center for Volga German Studies for genealogical research assistance. On Sunday, October 30th, at 10:30 a.m. you're invited to join Oregon's oldest Volga German congregation (founded in 1882) for worship followed by an afternoon of traditional German food and fellowship. Brent Mai, CVGS Director, will be the key-note speaker during the afternoon Oktoberfest Celebration and will talk about Oregon's oldest Volga German community in Blooming (just south of Cornelius). For additional information, contact Linda Church at 503.493.6370 or lchurch@cu-portland.edu.

 
Presentation: "The Volga German History of Northeast Portland's Albina Neighborhood"

Wednesday, September 28, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
Architectural Heritage Center, 701 SE Grand Ave., Portland, Oregon

Steven Schreiber, CVGS volunteer and webmaster, will present a one-hour documentary chronicling the story of the German Russian immigrants who made northeast Portland their home in the new world. Cost for Heritage Center members is $10 and nonmembers is $15. Seating is limited and Preregistration is strongly suggested.

 
Volga German Day at the Genealogical Forum of Oregon

Tuesday, September 27, 2011, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Genealogical Forum of Oregon, 2505 SE 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon

In celebration of the Forum's move to its new facilities, the Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University is putting on a Volga German Day. From 9-10am, the 2003 documentary entitled "From the Russian Steppe to the Pacific Northwest" will be shown. It was produced by Portland's own Steve Schreiber. From 10-11am, Brent Mai, CVGS Director, will present information about this group of ethnic Germans who settled along the banks of the Volga River near Saratov, Russia, and ultimately immigrated to Oregon beginning in 1881. From 11-Noon, Brent will lead a discussion about the primary resources available to Volga German genealogical researchers. For the remainder of the day, trained researchers will be available to assist with individual research. Cost: free. All are invited to attend!

 
Presentation: "Architecture and History of Protestant and Catholic Parishes in the Volga German Colonies, 1764-1941"

Saturday, September 17, 2011, 1:00 p.m.
Germanfest Building, 8229 W. Capitol Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The Milwaukee Chapter of AHSGR will present Brent Mai, Director of the Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University, speaking about the architecture and history of the Protestant and Catholic parishes that existed among the Volga German colonies from 1764-1941. All are invited to attend! For additional information: 414.464.9444.

 
Presentation: "Architecture and History of Protestant and Catholic Parishes in the Volga German Colonies, 1764-1941"

Saturday, September 17, 2011, 10:00 a.m.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1025 W. Lake Street, Melrose Park, Illinois

The Northern Illinois Chapter of AHSGR will present Brent Mai, Director of the Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University, speaking about the architecture and history of the Protestant and Catholic parishes that existed among the Volga German colonies from 1764-1941. All are invited to attend! Contact Maggie for additional information at 773.261.2181 or may5902@earthlink.net.

 
Presentation: "Volga German Churches : Expressing Faith Through Architecture"

Saturday, August 20, 2011, 11:00 a.m.
Zion Evangelical Free Church, 701 N. Daniel St., Weatherford, Oklahoma

As part of the Oklahoma statewide AHSGR gathering, Brent Mai, Director of the Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University, will present information regarding the architecture and history of the Protestant and Catholic parishes that existed among the Volga German colonies from 1764-1941. A potluck luncheon will follow. All are invited to attend!

 
Presentation: "Volga German Immigration to Argentina"

Saturday, April 16, 2011, 12:30 p.m.
Concordia University Library, 2800 NE Liberty St., Portland, Oregon

Brent Mai, Director of the Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University, will be the luncheon speaker at the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Oregon Chapter of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. Cost: $15 per person. RSVP to Linda Church at 503.493.6370 by April 13. All are invited to attend!

 
Presentation: "Traditional German Christmas"

Saturday, December 11, 2010, 2:00 p.m.
St. Michael Lutheran Church, 6700 NE 29th Ave., Portland, Oregon

The Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University and the Oregon Chapter of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia are presenting a Traditional Christmas Program put together by Steve Schreiber and his daughter Lizzie. Concordia's Dr. Norm Metzler will be leading some of the music selections. All are invited to attend!

 
Presentation: "Portland and Her Volga Germans" by Brent Mai

Saturday, November 6, 2010, 5:30 p.m.
Immanuel Lutheran Church, 39901 Pleasant St., Sandy, Oregon

As part of Immanuel's Oktoberfest 2010, CVGS Director Brent Mai will speak about the history of Portland's Volga German community and the role that Concordia's Center for Volga German Studies is playing in the study and preservation of Volga German history and culture. The event is sponsored by Immanuel Lutheran Church. The public is invited.

 
Presentation: "Establishment of the Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University" by Brent Mai

Saturday, October 23, 2010, 2:00 p.m.
Whisky Creek Wood Fire Grill, 3203 Vine St., Hays, Kansas

CVGS Director, Brent Mai, will speak about the establishment of the Center for Volga German Studies. The event is sponsored by the Kansas Round-Up of Chapters (AHSGR). The public is invited.

 
Presentation: "Volga Relief Society: Responding to Human Suffering During the 1921 Russian Famine" by Brent Mai

Saturday, October 16, 2010, 1:00 p.m.
Berea Lutheran Church, 7538 Emerson Ave., Richfield, Minnesota

CVGS Director, Brent Mai, will speak about the history of the Volga Relief Society and the establishment of the Center for Volga German Studies. The event is sponsored by the North Star Chapter (AHSGR & GRHS). The public is invited.

 
Presentation by Isabel Kessler

Thursday, August 12, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
Concordia University Library (Room 310), 2800 NE Liberty St., Portland, Oregon

Isabel Kessler, president of the Association of Volga-German Descendants in Argentina (Asociación Argentina Descendientes de Alemanes del Volga), lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Mrs. Kessler is accompanied on her visit to the Center for Volga German Studies by Clara Elsässer. A dessert reception will follow the presentation.

 
CVGS Grand Opening
Read all about the Grand Opening events held 24-25 October 2009. >> pictures <<
To submit additional information for this page, please contact the CVGS Webmaster.

Last updated on 28 April 2012.