The historic Hanover Lutheran school and church was filled once again, this time with former students and their families during the open tours held Sunday.

The old Hanover Lutheran school and church were open for tours Sunday. See a gallery of photos and a video from the tours at semissourian.com. (Fred Lynch)

Hanover's kettle beef and fried chicken dinner turned out to be a reunion for classmates who once attended the one-room schoolhouse and sanctuary.

Margie McAnally walked through the doors of the church built in 1887 and reminisced on her time spent at the church and schoolhouse.

"This brings back so many memories," said McAnally, who was baptized, confirmed and married in the church, like several of her fellow classmates.

The original church was started in 1846 by German immigrants who settled in Southeast Missouri. Since many of the immigrants came from Hanover, Germany, the church and school were named "Hanover." The original log cabin church built in 1846 no longer stands, but a replica of the first Hanover building is now displayed in the old schoolhouse.

McAnally and her two brothers attended the Hanover school for eight years before transferring to public school. The memories of their years of education fill the schoolhouse in the form of photographs, old school books, a 48-star American flag and two-seater school desks from the early 1900s.

"We thought we were really something if we got to sit in a double desk," said Edda Lee Wittich, another student of the Hanover School.

Wittich's grandfather was a minister at the church and would begin each school day with a morning devotion. Wittich recalled cold winters warmed by a potbellied stove, milk cartons chilled on the window sills and time spent practicing for school plays and programs.

The buildings themselves testify to an earlier time when German traditions greatly influenced the materials, style and craftsmanship of the buildings, from the stained-glass windows of the church to the arched doorway of the old school building.

About 70 visitors toured the Hanover buildings and spoke with former students Sunday about their time at the school, which is one of only a few Missouri one-room schoolhouses still remaining in its original state. It was built in 1924 and closed in 1957.

A preservation group, Friends of Old Hanover Church, provides financial support for the buildings and its members hope to continue to improve the properties. A congregation-assigned group, Old Church Preservation Committee, also supports the continued use of the school as a visitor's center and the Regional Lutheran History Center for Southeast Missouri.

Both the school and the 1887 church building were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. Old Hanover Church is now used for special services, tours, Christian events and weddings. All contributions to the preservation of these historic buildings are considered charitable donations.

"We hope to make new renovations and install a new roof," said Vicki Michael, a member of the Preservation Committee and daughter of a former student. Michael said she hopes the school can be enjoyed by the community for years to come.

Pertinent address:

2949 Perryville Road, Cape Girardeau, MO