Church celebrates its growing history

COLUMBUS -- A church that first organized in Columbus with only six families is celebrating its 125th anniversary.

Immanuel Lutheran Church has grown from its small beginnings in 1883 to a congregation of 1,385 today.

The people who make up the church have kept it going strong all these years, said the Rev. Kurt Ebert, associate pastor.

“Our congregation puts a very high emphasis on our Lutheran school and education in general. They are very dedicated to serving the community and passing that on to our future generation,” Ebert said.

Immanuel Lutheran got its start when the Rev. Herman Miessler, a graduate of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis came to Columbus. He organized the “German Evangelical Immanuel Lutheran Congregation of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession, at Columbus, Nebraska.” All services there were conducted in German until 1917.

The church was incorporated on April 4, 1887, three years after erecting its first house of worship on the site where the church is still located at on the corner of 14th Street and 24th Avenue. The first school was built in 1893.

In 1894, the church joined the LCMS which was then known as “The German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other States.” Because of membership growth, a new church was built; it was dedicated in 1931. At that time that the word “German” was dropped from the church’s name and it officially became Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The latest addition was made to the church in 1981.

A new school was built next to the church in 1950, and later another school was built in 1957 located at 28th Street and 26th Avenue. Today, the school has 120 students in grades K-8, and another 110 students in preschool.

The 125th anniversary of the church will be celebrated Sunday. There will be a fellowship coffee from 9-10 a.m. in the fellowship hall.

Following a 10 a.m. church service, potluck will be served in the Family Life Center. Former pastors of the church will be present.

The focus of the potluck gathering will be on the past, present and future of the church, said Ruby Beckmann, chairwoman for the planning committee.

Beckmann said a film will be shown about the history of the church. Also, a program will be given about the present church to acknowledge the people and organizations. Then, Beckmann said, the future hopes of the church will be discussed.

A book highlighting the 125 years of the church is for sale for $35. “Immanuel God With Us” is available at the church office, 1470 24th Ave.