Silesian Lutherans from Germany, affiliated with the Breslau Synod, began setting in Douglas County SD in the 1880s. They were joined by more Lutherans of German descent coming from Wisconsin. Their Pastor Kellner in Silesia advised these settlers to obtain a pastor from the Missouri Synod to serve them. In this synod, the Word of God was taught in all its truth and purity, and the Sacraments administered according to Christ's institution. Also, the teachings of Martin Luther were still taught.
Not knowing and understanding the teachings that differentiated the Iowa Synod from the Missouri Synod resulted in disagreements, and some families decided to join the Iowa Synod. Those who remained with the teachings of the Missouri Synod organized into a congregation in the fall of 1882. The assumed the name of the Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel Congregation, Unaltered Augsburg Confession. There were 23 families who adopted the first constitution.
In the spring of 1883, George Otter, a carpenter, and the congregation built a parsonage. Services were held there. Later services were conducted in the parish school. Eventually the school was not adequate for all members to attend worship services, so the congregation decided to build its own church building. Five acres of land had been deeded in 1886 by Heinrich and Rosina Geidel. The cornerstone was laid on second Easter Day in 1889. The church was finished and dedicated in September, at the cost of $1,000.
Celebration of the first Mission Festival was September 20, 1891, the beginning of a great tradition. There was an offering of $42.87.
The congregation officially joined the German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States in 1892. Karl Reichert was the first delegate of Immanuel to attend the Synodical Convention in Minneapolis, MN.
Pastor Hugo Sommer accepted the call to be pastor in 1908. However, due to a heart ailment, he was only able to hold services for three Sundays. He was hospitalized and after a few days he was called home by the Heavenly Father. The grieving congregation put their pastor to rest in the church cemetery five weeks after his installation, and a stone was placed at his grave.
Pastor E.P. Hempel accepted the call after Pastor Sommer's death and was installed on November 29, 1908, which began a long and fruitful ministry which would last 35 years. Among his contributions was the organization of a brass band which played for Mission Festivals, weddings, and other occasions.
Seminarian August Reimnitz preached for the first time in the services of his home congregation in 1911. He later accepted a call to become missionary in Brazil. The fact that this young man became a missionary shows the long-time mission interest of this congregation.
The church became too small for Mission Festival, funerals, etc., and on January 14, 1914, a special meeting was called. All voting members were present, and it was unanimously decided to build a new church. Pastor Hempel drove around to the members to get pledges for the new church. In a few days, over $10,000, the entire sum for the new church, had been pledged. Members now hauled stones and gravel for the foundation by horse and wagon. Sand was hauled. The yard was piled high with the lumber that was to be used in the building, and the school children enjoyed playing hide and seek among the piles. The old church was moved to the side to make room for the new church, and the cornerstone was laid on April 26, 1914. The new church 90 x 40 feet, had a steeple with a cross on top, measuring 110 feet high. It was dedicated August 30, 1914. Pastor Hempel, who had studied art in Berlin, made a special contribution: the painting of the chancel with two angels on either side, holding the elements for Holy Communion. The Dedication celebration began with a prayer of remembrance and a farewell at the door of the old church. Then, at the entrance of the new church, the carpenter turned the keys over to the Pastor. The door was unlocked, and the celebrants streamed into the new church. All the singing at these services was led by the brass band, as the church did not yet have a pipe organ.
In 1917, more land was gotten from Karl Struck and added to the original land of five acres for the church.
The year 1918 was difficult for Pastor Hempel and the congregation. Our country had entered World War I on Good Friday of 1917. Many German people in our country were also then considered enemies. Pastor Hempel was considered an enemy because he preached in the German language. On January 15, 1918, Pastor Hempel was handcuffed, arrested, and taken prisoner and later held at Fort Douglas, Utah. The school children all cried and wanted their good Pastor Hempel back.
Pastor Hempel was absent from the congregation for 18 months. The congregation decided not to call another Pastor, but would rather wait for Pastor Hempel's return. Pastor Wieting from Delmont and Pastor Gerike from Tripp took turns serving Immanuel. During this time, the Pastor's family was taken care of by the congregation. When some of the members were in town for supplies, they would buy double of what they needed, and leave half of it at the parsonage. It was also during this yer that influenza struck the entire country, and many died. The congregation also lost several young and older members. Thankfully, Pastor Hempel was released from prison in June 1919, and again resumed his duties on the 5th Sunday after Trinity. He never did conduct services in the English language.
On a certain day, the Roman Catholic priest stopped by to see Pastor Hempel. His foot went through the floor of the house during his visit. It was this event that gave the needed impetus to build a new parsonage in 1922, at a cost of $4,500. On Thanksgiving Day, the new house was dedicated, and Pastor and his family were able to move in. The total cost of the house was paid upon its completion.
The pipe organ was purchased in 1926, at a cost of $3,000. Hinners Organ Company of Pekin, IL installed it. With the celebration of Mission Festival, the pipe organ was also dedicated. Prof. Karl Haase from Seward, Nebraska played the organ at both services, and a the special organ concert held in the evening. Many have served as organists throughout the years of worship. Before the organ was electrified, it was operated by hand pumps attached to it. These were concealed by the room behind the organ. Many of the post-confirmation age boys of the congregation took turns to pump air for the organist to operate on. They were paid 25 cents a service.
Great storms came through the area in the late 1920s and early 1930s. One of these storms caused the whole church to lean to the east, as well as the destruction of a chandelier. To make the church upright again, steel posts were set up outside the church, and cables were placed across the nave to hold it in place. Having successfully righted the church, to this day the posts and cables stabilize the church against the strong South Dakota winds.
The transition to English began in the mid 1940s. German services were not completely discontinued until 1963, during the tenure of Rev. Leonard Eberhard.
In 1972 the congregation celebrated its 90th anniversary at its Mission Festival. Guest speaker was Dr. Jacob Preus, President of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.
Wallace Schulz, son of the congregation, was ordained as a pastor at Immanuel in 1973. Having preached all over the world and heard on the airwaves, Rev. Schulz has long been known as "our own personal missionary" at Immanuel.
The church centennial was celebrated in 1982, during the tenure of Rev. Robert E. Utecht. Rev. Utecht is fondly remembered for his energy in ministry and his family of 14 children.
In 2004 stained glass windows were completed and installed in the sanctuary of the church, their theme following the life of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In more modern times, Immanuel has remained a faithful and vibrant congregation due to a faithful membership and the service of several beloved long-tenured pastors. Many of the congregation's youth have also entered the service of the church, becoming pastors, missionaries, and Lutheran school teachers. Immanuel's current pastor, Rev. Ryan L. Loeslie, was installed on September 24, 2017.
In 2018, a wing was built on the east side of the church which provides elevator service, handicap-access bathrooms, and a social area.
Throughout its history, fidelity to the Word of God has been a hallmark of Immanuel, with the Gospel purely preached and Sacraments rightly administered according to Christ's institution. While many changes have occurred over time, Immanuel still follows the Lutheran liturgy while emphasizing solid catechetical instruction for the young. With these Gospel treasures we march ahead, mindful of our rich heritage and proclaiming the Gospel in a new day.
Timeline of Pastors
Rev. J. Bernthal, 1882
Rev. F. Schriefer, 1883-1886
Rev. M. Waechter, 1887-1896
Rev. G. Franke, 1896
Rev. C.P. Thusius, 1896-1907
Rev. Hugo Sommer, 1908
Rev. E. Paul Hempel, 1908-1943
Rev. John Dewald, 1943-1954
Rev. Leonard Eberhard, 1955-1974
Rev. Robert E. Utecht, 1974-1993
Rev. James Gruber, 1994-1999
Rev. Anthony Steinbronn, 2000-2003
Rev. David G. Otten, 2004-2017
Rev. Ryan L. Loeslie, 2017-Present
Not knowing and understanding the teachings that differentiated the Iowa Synod from the Missouri Synod resulted in disagreements, and some families decided to join the Iowa Synod. Those who remained with the teachings of the Missouri Synod organized into a congregation in the fall of 1882. The assumed the name of the Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel Congregation, Unaltered Augsburg Confession. There were 23 families who adopted the first constitution.
In the spring of 1883, George Otter, a carpenter, and the congregation built a parsonage. Services were held there. Later services were conducted in the parish school. Eventually the school was not adequate for all members to attend worship services, so the congregation decided to build its own church building. Five acres of land had been deeded in 1886 by Heinrich and Rosina Geidel. The cornerstone was laid on second Easter Day in 1889. The church was finished and dedicated in September, at the cost of $1,000.
Celebration of the first Mission Festival was September 20, 1891, the beginning of a great tradition. There was an offering of $42.87.
The congregation officially joined the German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States in 1892. Karl Reichert was the first delegate of Immanuel to attend the Synodical Convention in Minneapolis, MN.
Pastor Hugo Sommer accepted the call to be pastor in 1908. However, due to a heart ailment, he was only able to hold services for three Sundays. He was hospitalized and after a few days he was called home by the Heavenly Father. The grieving congregation put their pastor to rest in the church cemetery five weeks after his installation, and a stone was placed at his grave.
Pastor E.P. Hempel accepted the call after Pastor Sommer's death and was installed on November 29, 1908, which began a long and fruitful ministry which would last 35 years. Among his contributions was the organization of a brass band which played for Mission Festivals, weddings, and other occasions.
Seminarian August Reimnitz preached for the first time in the services of his home congregation in 1911. He later accepted a call to become missionary in Brazil. The fact that this young man became a missionary shows the long-time mission interest of this congregation.
The church became too small for Mission Festival, funerals, etc., and on January 14, 1914, a special meeting was called. All voting members were present, and it was unanimously decided to build a new church. Pastor Hempel drove around to the members to get pledges for the new church. In a few days, over $10,000, the entire sum for the new church, had been pledged. Members now hauled stones and gravel for the foundation by horse and wagon. Sand was hauled. The yard was piled high with the lumber that was to be used in the building, and the school children enjoyed playing hide and seek among the piles. The old church was moved to the side to make room for the new church, and the cornerstone was laid on April 26, 1914. The new church 90 x 40 feet, had a steeple with a cross on top, measuring 110 feet high. It was dedicated August 30, 1914. Pastor Hempel, who had studied art in Berlin, made a special contribution: the painting of the chancel with two angels on either side, holding the elements for Holy Communion. The Dedication celebration began with a prayer of remembrance and a farewell at the door of the old church. Then, at the entrance of the new church, the carpenter turned the keys over to the Pastor. The door was unlocked, and the celebrants streamed into the new church. All the singing at these services was led by the brass band, as the church did not yet have a pipe organ.
In 1917, more land was gotten from Karl Struck and added to the original land of five acres for the church.
The year 1918 was difficult for Pastor Hempel and the congregation. Our country had entered World War I on Good Friday of 1917. Many German people in our country were also then considered enemies. Pastor Hempel was considered an enemy because he preached in the German language. On January 15, 1918, Pastor Hempel was handcuffed, arrested, and taken prisoner and later held at Fort Douglas, Utah. The school children all cried and wanted their good Pastor Hempel back.
Pastor Hempel was absent from the congregation for 18 months. The congregation decided not to call another Pastor, but would rather wait for Pastor Hempel's return. Pastor Wieting from Delmont and Pastor Gerike from Tripp took turns serving Immanuel. During this time, the Pastor's family was taken care of by the congregation. When some of the members were in town for supplies, they would buy double of what they needed, and leave half of it at the parsonage. It was also during this yer that influenza struck the entire country, and many died. The congregation also lost several young and older members. Thankfully, Pastor Hempel was released from prison in June 1919, and again resumed his duties on the 5th Sunday after Trinity. He never did conduct services in the English language.
On a certain day, the Roman Catholic priest stopped by to see Pastor Hempel. His foot went through the floor of the house during his visit. It was this event that gave the needed impetus to build a new parsonage in 1922, at a cost of $4,500. On Thanksgiving Day, the new house was dedicated, and Pastor and his family were able to move in. The total cost of the house was paid upon its completion.
The pipe organ was purchased in 1926, at a cost of $3,000. Hinners Organ Company of Pekin, IL installed it. With the celebration of Mission Festival, the pipe organ was also dedicated. Prof. Karl Haase from Seward, Nebraska played the organ at both services, and a the special organ concert held in the evening. Many have served as organists throughout the years of worship. Before the organ was electrified, it was operated by hand pumps attached to it. These were concealed by the room behind the organ. Many of the post-confirmation age boys of the congregation took turns to pump air for the organist to operate on. They were paid 25 cents a service.
Great storms came through the area in the late 1920s and early 1930s. One of these storms caused the whole church to lean to the east, as well as the destruction of a chandelier. To make the church upright again, steel posts were set up outside the church, and cables were placed across the nave to hold it in place. Having successfully righted the church, to this day the posts and cables stabilize the church against the strong South Dakota winds.
The transition to English began in the mid 1940s. German services were not completely discontinued until 1963, during the tenure of Rev. Leonard Eberhard.
In 1972 the congregation celebrated its 90th anniversary at its Mission Festival. Guest speaker was Dr. Jacob Preus, President of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.
Wallace Schulz, son of the congregation, was ordained as a pastor at Immanuel in 1973. Having preached all over the world and heard on the airwaves, Rev. Schulz has long been known as "our own personal missionary" at Immanuel.
The church centennial was celebrated in 1982, during the tenure of Rev. Robert E. Utecht. Rev. Utecht is fondly remembered for his energy in ministry and his family of 14 children.
In 2004 stained glass windows were completed and installed in the sanctuary of the church, their theme following the life of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In more modern times, Immanuel has remained a faithful and vibrant congregation due to a faithful membership and the service of several beloved long-tenured pastors. Many of the congregation's youth have also entered the service of the church, becoming pastors, missionaries, and Lutheran school teachers. Immanuel's current pastor, Rev. Ryan L. Loeslie, was installed on September 24, 2017.
In 2018, a wing was built on the east side of the church which provides elevator service, handicap-access bathrooms, and a social area.
Throughout its history, fidelity to the Word of God has been a hallmark of Immanuel, with the Gospel purely preached and Sacraments rightly administered according to Christ's institution. While many changes have occurred over time, Immanuel still follows the Lutheran liturgy while emphasizing solid catechetical instruction for the young. With these Gospel treasures we march ahead, mindful of our rich heritage and proclaiming the Gospel in a new day.
Timeline of Pastors
Rev. J. Bernthal, 1882
Rev. F. Schriefer, 1883-1886
Rev. M. Waechter, 1887-1896
Rev. G. Franke, 1896
Rev. C.P. Thusius, 1896-1907
Rev. Hugo Sommer, 1908
Rev. E. Paul Hempel, 1908-1943
Rev. John Dewald, 1943-1954
Rev. Leonard Eberhard, 1955-1974
Rev. Robert E. Utecht, 1974-1993
Rev. James Gruber, 1994-1999
Rev. Anthony Steinbronn, 2000-2003
Rev. David G. Otten, 2004-2017
Rev. Ryan L. Loeslie, 2017-Present
