History of Immanuel Lutheran Church
Immanuel Lutheran congregation had its origin in what was originally the German Evangelical Lutheran St. Stephens Congregation, which was established in 1968. Although calling itself "Evangelical Lutheran", St. Stephens was not truly Lutheran in character, and, led by the grace and Spirit of God, a new congregation was founded and Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Congregation came into being on August 13, 1971. St Stephens was disbanded in favor of the new congregation.
A new constitution was adopted and signed by 31 charter members: Christ Meinsen, Friedrich Bohle, Gottfried Fulle, John Mueller, Carl Scheffer, Joachim Schmitt, Carl Bahrs, August Moldenhauer, Heinrich Ehrhardt, Zacharias Mueller, Fritz Bobzien, Fritz Schultz, Christian Bernhard, Henry Wasmund, Henry Friend, Ludwig Priehse, Franz Kupke, Michael Ahlen, Casper Bielefeld, Carl Rabe, Christian Grupe, Gottfried Pflughaupt, Michael Zirzke, Friedrich Jarchow, Valentin Hohlemann, Friedrich Mueller, Wilhelm Ritter, Adolph Steiner, Christian Ehrhardt, Johannes Geweke and Melchoir Mueller.
The first elected officers were: Charles Wicke, president; Fred Bohle, secretary; Henry Senne, treasurer. Three elders were elected: John C. Seegers, Henry Brinkmann and Henry Hasselmann.
The property owned by St Stephens congregation comprised two building lots at the corner of Lee and Thacker Streets, which had been purchased from Christian Meinsen for the sum of $400. Here Immanuel built a church-school, parsonage, and a cemetery was established at the rear of the church.
The church building was a two-story structure of frame and brick. The second floor was used for divine services while the lower level provided space for a Christian Day school. Mr. August Koch was the first called teacher.
The pastors of neighboring sister congregations at Elk Grove, Schaumburg, and Dunton (Arlington Heights), ministered to the pastoral needs of the Des Plaines Lutherans until the spring of 1873 when Rev. Adam Detzer was installed as the first resident pastor.
When the need for more space became apparent, a new church was erected in 1876 for $4,500. This building of red brick, was 40x60x22', constructed with a belfry and tower. Inside, a balcony ran the full length of both sides of the sanctuary. The original building continued to be used for the school until 1886, when the old Methodist church located across from the church on Lee Street became available and was purchased for $1,000 and converted into a school.
The first quarter century saw the following changes in the men who served Immanuel: Rev. George Johannes replaced Rev. Detzer in 1881; Rev. P. Graef came in 1885, and the Rev. Wm. Lewerenz became pastor in 1891. Mr. J. H. Rademacher succeeded Teacher Koch in 1874. He was followed by Christ Seidel in 1891 and A. W. Vogt in 1893.
The cemetery was moved from its location at the rear of the church to its present site on Rand Road, in 1875.
On January 10, 1892, Immanuel became a member of the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church, believing that this united effort would be mutually beneficial in extending the kingdom of God. The Synod had been organized at First St. Paul's Church, Chicago, on April 26, 1887.[1]
Immanuel Ladies Aid, the oldest society in the congregation, was organized January 29, 1895 and has contributed substantially toward the welfare of the congregation and the church-at-large throughout the years.
1896-1921
During its second quarter century, building and expansion continued at Immanuel. A teacherage was built on the site of the first church building in 1899, and a two-room brick school replaced the remodeled Methodist church in 1901.
On September 4, 1911, Pastor Wm Lewerenz was called to his eternal home at the age of 54 years. Rev. Walter Pieper of Farmersville, Ill. became the new shepherd of the flock.
The church building underwent major remodeling and redecorating in 1914. The two coal stoves were replaced by a furnace. An alcove was added in the chancel area and a new altar and puppit were installed. The kerosene lamps were replaced by new lighting fixtures and the worn old pews gave way to individual auditorium chairs.
On Feb. 1, 1918, a 20-degree below zero morning, a disastrous fire destroyed Immanuel school, caused by an overheated furnace. A new school was built with a large meeting room on the second floor at a cost of $18,000, more than three times the cost of the original building. This structure remains as part of the school today.
1921-1946
Christian education has always been of prime importance at Immanuel. A Sunday School was started in 1925 to reach additional children with the saving Gospel of Christ. Previously Sunday School classes had been conducted during the summer months only.
As the day school enrollment grew, the faculty was increased to five, and the second floor meeting room was converted into three classrooms. A gym which could double as an auditorium was added to the front of the building in 1930. The extra classroom space which was provided above the bym, is all being utilized to accommodate today's enrollment manned by a staff of 9 teachers.
In 1929 Rev. Pieper accepted a call to Lemont, Ill., and Rev. Otto Boecler came to Immanuel from St. Louis. He was chosen by the Mission Board of the Synodical Conference to serve on a three-member committee to explore mission possibilities in Nigeria, West Africa in 1934. Ten years later, one of Immanuel's own sons, Rev. Robert Stade was to serve as a missionary in the Nigerian field which was opened by our synod in 1935.
The young people of the congregation formed a Walther League Society in 1925. The Men's Club was organized in 1929 and became a part of the Lutheran Laymen's League. The women of the church became active in the newly formed Lutheran Women's Mission Endeavor of Northern Illinois in 1939, which affiliated with the international Lutheran Women's Missionary League when it was organized in 1942.
On the morning of September 13, 1942, Pastor Boecler suffered a fatal heart attack. Rev. Allen H. Fedder, who had been serving as assistant to Rev. Boecler, was then installed as the shepherd of Immanuel.
166 young men of Immanuel entered the service of their country during World War II, five of them making the supreme sacrifice.
1946-1971
During this quarter century in the life of Immanuel, the present church edifice was constructed on the original site purchased a century ago. Ground was broken February 12, 1956 and dedication of the building to the glory of God took place on March 31, 1957. The red brick building had been a familiar landmark for 80 years but was not replaced by one of modern design with free standing 44' tower topped by a 13' cross. The open design symbols of special design which flank the tower, tell the story of man's redemption in a most unique way.
Norman face brick was used in both the exterior and interior of the structure. Windows of cathedral glass add color to the nave which has a seating capacity of more than 500. The Travertine marble chancel floor and the Carera marble baptismal font are imports from Italy. Above the 12' oak altar is suspended a 17' brass cross which blends with the brass candlelabra and lighting fixtures. A two-manual Schlicker organ was installed with a special keyboard from which the Schulmerich Carillonic Bells in the church tower can be played. The archtect for the new church was Mr. Charles E. Stade, a former member of Immanuel.
Pastors who served Immanuel during its first century are: Rev. Adam Detzer, Rev G. Johannes, Rev. P. Graef, Rev. Wm Lewerenz, Rev. Walter Pieper, Rev. Otto Boecler, Rev. Allen Fedder; Rev. Hubert Beck and Rev. Daniel Zielske serving as associates. Rev. James D. Bouman is the present pastor.
Changes over the years have been many and varied, but the faithfulness of God and the message of the saving Gospel of Christ remain steadfast, as Immangal continues to stand on the sure foundation of the Word of God and His promises of grace, as changeless as eternity itself, as it serves God and the community where He has chosen to place it.
References
- ^ Original document is unclear. It may be 1847.
