In 1854, when the Nebraska Territory was opened for settlement, there was a sizable German Lutheran colony around Quincy, Illinois. A group of men from Quincy came to the Fontanelle area and laid out a town, then went back to Illinois to bring out their families. Others soon followed and started moving farther into the territory. Soon after, Germans from Cook County, Illinois started arriving. In 1869, Mr. Fred Thies was the first to settle in our area, and the following year a number of German Lutheran families followed him. They suffered many hardships to get here; and after arriving, these hardy Germans worked hard to establish their families and farms and to nourish their faith. German Lutheran missionaries had visited the area for several years, and in 1870, Rev. E. Julius Frese was called to minister to the Logan Creek church, now St. John's of Hooper, and the Brown Greek church, now St. Paul's of Arlington. The distance between the two churches was over twenty miles by trail, with hardly any bridges over rivers, and the few primitive ones were far apart.

Pastor E. Julius Frese

On his way between the two churches, Pastor Frese was asked to preach to the group of settlers in our area. Services were first held in their homes, and then in the Tempe School, also known as the McMullen School. Travel to these services by slowly moving farm wagons or horseback shows the importance these early settlers placed on hearing God's Word. In June of 1876, our congregation was organized. At that time, because St. Paul's had called their own pastor, Rev. Frese served only Immanuel and St. John's.

Tempe (McMullen) School

1876 - 1886 No minutes of voters meetings are available until 1881, except for the minutes of August 11, 1878. They state that Mr. Heinrich Rabe was given $5 for the tables and benches he provided the school. They also noted that, for $20, Mr. Louis Mueller sold to the congregation an acre of land containing his family burial ground, for use as the church cemetery. This land is one mile south and one quarter mile west of the present church and is now referred to as the "Old Cemetery". Because no records exist for those first few years, the "founding fathers" of our church are not known. In 1878, the names listed on the minutes are: Rev. E. J. Frese, H. Katt, F. Borcherding, Ernest Panning, Louis Moll, Louis Mueller, Heinrich Walter, and Heinrich L. Krohn. Also Friedrick Roeber, Carl Krakow, Mr. W. Meyer, Christoph Hinrichs, Heinrich Welling Sr. and Henry Rabe were received into membership at that meeting.

Pastor W. A. Bergt

In 1879 Pastor Frese accepted a call to Omaha, and Rev. W. A. Bergt was called to serve the two congregations. He helped our Immanuel congregation build their first church in 1880. It was built on land purchased for $1 00 from Mr. and Mrs. Henry Mosel. The land, where our present school is located, was about one mile east and one mile north of the McMullen School. The church building would also house the school during the week, and had the parsonage attached.

First church, school and parsonage

Rev. Frese came back to preach the dedicatory sermon. What an accomplishment for these people who were starting their lives over again in a new country and had only been in Nebraska a few years! In 1881, shortly after the first of the year, Rev. August Hofius was installed as Immanuel's first resident pastor. His salary was $400 a year and he had to buy his own fuel, but the congregation would deliver it. Seventy-five dollars was raised for a barn, a well, his traveling expenses, and four tons of coal for the church. It must have been a joyous time for the people who could now hear God's Word every Sunday, have a pastor to teach their children every day, and to be present for all their spiritual needs.

Pastor August Hofius 1881-1898

Voters meetings were held quarterly, with a special meeting at the beginning of each year. At the start of each meeting, a chairman was elected and three members were chosen to audit the finances. Each purchase and expense was funded by a pledge list prepared by an appointed member, who collected the pledges. Some meetings had several members passing pledge lists. The elders took special collections on Communion Sundays, Easter and Christmas, besides the money collected in the "Kiingelbeuta I" each Sunday. At each voter's meeting it was decided where to send the collections that were not used for the regular expenses of the church. At the November 24, 1881 voters meeting, the following members were entitled to vote: H. Rabe, L. Mueller, Ch. Niebuhr, H. Mosel, Jr., H. Mosel, Sr., G. Kuhls, H. Lallmann, F. Wolf, Ch. Weseloh, H. Hinnerichs, J. Moll, A. Hagerbaumer, H. Walter, D. Bartling, F. Thies, W. Dierks, J. Happel, H. Bohling, W. Stuenkel, H. Panning, W. Walter, C. Krakow, F. Panning, W. Boldt, and C. Geisler. It was resolved that this congregation would hereafter be called "The German Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel Congregation in Sheriden Precinct and vicinity" Washington County, Nebraska. The articles of confession were adopted. The first elected trustees were Heinrich Panning, Dietrich Bartling and Christoph Niebuhr.

In 1882, our congregation joined the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and other States, now known as the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. That same year the bell that we still ring today was purchased for the church. In 1884, the first elected elders were Louis Mueller, Heinrich Rabe and Wilhelm Stuenkel. During the first ten years, the parsonage was added on to, the windows repaired to keep the rain out, and a summer kitchen was built. Cemetery lots cost $10, the trustees were given permission to buy a shovel for the church, and Henry Moll was paid $10 a year to be janitor. A special collection was taken to help build a new college in St. Louis, and the weekly collection often went to help needy seminary students. The young people of the congregation donated kerosene lamps to the church

New frame church 1890

1887 - 1896 At the January voters meeting the trustees reported an income of $90.35 and expenses of $87.70. The elders reported that $454.54 had been received for Pastor's salary and income for coal was $24.00 with 25 cents left from last year. With a resident pastor, the congregation grew rapidly. A number of St. John's congregation joined ours when their church was moved several miles northwest; and soon our church was too small to accommodate all the people. In 1889, the decision was made to build a new church. Land across the road, north of the church and school, was purchased for $240 from Mr. Adolph Hagerbaumer. This new church, with its soaring steeple, costing $4,737, was 68 x 38 feet, had a balcony, and seated 375 people. The benches on both sides were 9 feet long and the ones in the middle were 10 feet. The chimney was painted the same color as the roof, and the steeple was topped with a cross. The building was placed near the corner and faced east Pastors Bergt and Frese delivered the dedicatory sermons in 1890. Pastor's salary had risen to $500, a 26x28x14 barn was built for $357 and the congregation drew up a special pledge list for a member who was in deep financial need due to doctor's bills. Mr. H. Mosel, Sr. received $25 for being janitor during 1892. In 1893, the new church had to be repaired because a severe windstorm damaged the plaster. At the same time, the fence around the church and the school floor were repaired. Hitching posts for the horses were placed near the church. In 1894, Pastor received a $1 00 raise in salary. A cistern, 16 feet deep and 8 feet wide, was dug for the parsonage. The 1896 Christmas Eve sacks of candy cost $23, hooks were installed in the classroom for the students'hats and coats, and $1.00 of the Klingelbeutel money was given to the Free Church in Denmark. 1897 - 1906 The congregation was called upon to consider sending a donation for the construction of a college in Seward. We also joined with area churches to construct and help support an Orphanage in Fremont. Up to now, Pastor Hofius had also served as secretary for the congregational meetings; but in 1898, Mr. Daniel Timm became the first lay secretary That year Pastor Hofius accepted a call to Pierce, Nebraska, and Pastor John Lang accepted the call to Immanuel at a salary of $600. An organ was purchased for $500 that year, and replaced one that had been loaned to the congregation.

Pastor John Lang 1898-1927

Another severe storm heavily damaged the chimney of the church, so repairs again had to be made. One hundred Mulberry trees were planted on church grounds, the parsonage got a telephone, and two acres were set aside for a new cemetery north of the church grounds. In June 1901, the congregation celebrated the 25th anniversary of the founding of Immanuel Lutheran Church in connection with a Mission Festival. Former pastors were invited to preach, and a large crowd attended from area churches. In 1902 Teacher William Seitz was called, at a salary of $300, to relieve Pastor of his teaching duties. TWO years later, a new parsonage was built west of the church for $2,200, and a barn was built for $472. The 22 stalls in the barn were sold to the members.

Parsonage 1904

The 4th of July picnic was held in Mr. Hagerbaumer's grove. In years that the 4th fell on a Sunday, the picnic was held on the 5th. In 1906 Teacher Seitz left and Fred Vonderlage was called. Also that year, a furnace was put in the church, and the three big lack stoves were removed Members dug out the basement with each man devoting a day to the project.

Principal Fred Vonderlage 1905 -1941

1907 - 1916 Pastor and Teacher were each given a $1 00 raise, and Pastor was given several weeks vacation for health reasons. A Reed organ was purchased for school and screens put on the school's and teacher's windows. The church, school and teacher's home were painted, a sidewalk of planks was put from school to the outhouse, and the parsonage was provided with a ceiling for the porch. The ladies of the congregation were given the honor of collecting for the new wallpaper to be put in church. At one voter’s meeting it was decided that half of the Klingelbeutal money would go for circuit riders and the other half to Synod. They also decided to introduce the Synodical Catechism in school. One year the 4th of July committee had received $250, but was short $26 to meet expenses; therefore a list for pledges was passed around. At another meeting, each member present was asked to give a dollar to cover a shortage, and sometimes they just passed the hat. In 1909 the steps leading up to the confirmation room were provided with a railing and the hallway was papered. Four panes were replaced in the church windows and all the panes in the round window were replaced with clear glass.

In 1910, after much discussion, it was decided that a church could be built in Winslow, and later the members of that congregation were released after promising that they would remain true to the pure doctrine. It was also decided that the young women of the congregation could decorate the altar, and that the fence at church should be removed, School began on the first Monday in September in 1911, and would end the first Friday in June. It was decided to add some important Bible passages, some portions of the English Catechism and some prayers to the memory work assigned to the pupils.

Teacher's House 1915

In 1913 the voters chose to have the liturgy sung to a different tune, and the Mission Festival sermon was given in English. Since 1909 Pastor would preach a German service and then one in English right after. Funerals were still in German. A picnic was held on Pentecost Monday and ten dollars w allowed for gifts for the children. The teacher was given three weeks vacation and Mr. E. Stuenkel was elected as janitor and would also pump the organ. A fence was built around Pastor's potato patch. Because the Winslow church had no cemetery, it was decided their members could still bury their dead in our cemetery. The last two years of this decade was full of activity. The congregation celebrated the 25th year of the dedication of our church building, the barns near the school were removed, and a new teacher's house was built with steps, a sidewalk, and a fence installed.

Pastor Lang urged the members that, whenever possible, baptisms be done in church with the fine baptismal service available. Many children were baptized in their homes in those days because of distances to be traveled. Horses could make only slow progress through snow-covered, frozen, or muddy roads, so it was often inadvisable to drive a new baby to church to be baptized. It was decided at the next Mission Festival the congregation would share in a common meal in the schoolhouse and fifty folding chairs were purchased. 1917 - 1926 Church renovations included adding a metallic ceiling, repapering, installation of a window in the chancel, new front doors, chimneys removed, and the building wired for electricity. A generator was purchased from Mr. George Heine and placed near the furnace. The lighting was not as bright as we have it today, but it was an improvement. The kerosene lamps were donated to a poor congregation. It was decided that the Fresco painter was not to paint any "Passages" in church. A garage was built for pastor, and both he and the teacher received a salary of $1 000 a year. English Hymnals and Bibles were bought, with each member paying for their own, and 25 extras ordered for the church. The young people would sing in English and the older people would sing in German at the same time. Three members were appointed to "take note of what the members in the congregation were doing for the war". School became 1 00% Junior Red Cross. It was decided that Pastor, Teacher, and Mr. William Hartung would go to Lincoln to defend our school should it be attacked in the legislature. German services were still held, because we never heard differently from the Americanization Board. In 1919, English services were held one Sunday out of four, and confirmation was in English from then on, The delegates to the convention in Seward reported that the following was emphasized: more students for Seward, more loans for church building fund, collection for payment of debt in Seward, and pastors and teachers were to be asked whether their salaries were sufficient in these hard times. A collection of $235 was sent to the needy in Germany and Austria. In 1921, there was a surplus in the treasury, so Pastor and Teacher were each given a $50 gift and it was decided to provide them with feed. In August 1922, the congregation celebrated the 25th anniversary of Mr. Vonderlage in the teaching ministry. A gift of $1 00 was given to him, and pop, ice cream, and cigars were served free of charge. Mr. Julius Hartung was now janitor, receiving $1 00 a year, and Teacher Vonderlage received $30 as engineer for the light plant. Members of the church were urged to bring feed for the Pastor's and Teacher's cows and chickens, as they were running short In 1924, a gift of $264 was given to Pastor Lang during the celebration of his 25 years of ministry in our congregation. Expenses for the past year were $3,722, with a debt of $96, which was covered by pledges. A pledge list was also passed for coal. English services were held every other Sunday. Pastor Lang was given six weeks vacation, and the teacher's house got a bathtub. Food, collected once or twice a year, was sent to the Fremont Orphanage. Often it was stored at Henry Hagerbaurner's until it could be taken to Fremont.

The congregation's 50th anniversary celebration was held in the grove in 1926. Members of Winslow, Blair, and Fremont congregations, as well as St. Paul's and St. John's, were invited. Preachers were Pastors Frese, Hofius, and Bergt. Guests were served buns and coffee. The Telebasta band provided the entertainment. The stand showed a profit of $1.85, but the ice and band hadn't been paid for yet. 1927 - 1936 The beginning of these 10 years was very busy. Electricity was installed in the parsonage and teacher's house and a fence with a big arch was selected for the cemetery. Because the church did not have a social room, the new basement under the school became the social room for the organizations and gatherings.

Remodeled School 1927

Pastor Lang announced he was leaving due to failing health, but stayed to install Rev. Ernest Eckhardt on Nov. 6, 1927. Pastor Eckhardt described his arrival in his book, The Lives of Two Men: "Our Scottsbluff congregation not only gave a farewell with blessings and gifts, but helped in packing and loading the freight car. Since there was ample room, it was decided to also ship the Model T Ford and we travel by train .... Since the freight car was shipped several days ahead of our departure for Hooper, ft was there as our passenger train arrived. What a thrill, what excitement when the conductor called out, 'Hooper, next stop!' Many thoughts flashed through our minds, 'Who will be at the station to receive us? How does the church look? What kind of a house is it? How does the property look?' The train came to a stop. Looking out of the window, we noticed the whole platform full of people. Surely Hooper was not such a large city! But to our surprise, we soon found out that most of them were to be my members. There was the teacher, the elders, the trustees, and a number of others. What a reception! After the introductions, I went to our Model T, which had already been unloaded from the freight car and filled with gas. Teacher Voriderlage took the rest of the family in his Chevrolet Wan and drove ahead in order to show the way to the parish. The sixth mile and the last hill came and gradually revealed the church steeple with the cross Having come from small mission congregations, the large frame church with balcony made a great impression upon us' One wonders what impression the house had on them. Even though the nine-room house had ample room for the family of five, it had no furnace, no running water, nor a basement, The congregation did everything they could to help the new pastor and his family settle in. One day he was putting together his simple bookshelves made from old boards he had from his first residency. Elder, Mr. Julius Hartung, came in, saw what he was doing, and told him to stop and wait till he could tell the congregation about it. Soon Pastor's study had a large and very attractive bookcase with glass doors. They were also given 'a fine red cow and even a red hog, and people kept asking, 'Do you have room for another chicken?"'

Pastor Ernest Eckhardt 1927-1966

In 1928, Immanuel hosted the Northern Nebraska District Convention for the first time during its existence. A large tent seating 1,200 was rented for the day. That same year, a finance committee and ushers were elected for the first time. George Schuett and H. P. Bartling were the first ushers. A pledge list was drawn up to cover the debt from 1927 of $2,400. The budget for Synod was $1,800 and Pastor and Teacher each received $1,250 salary. English liturgy was introduced, a hymn board was installed. and in 1929, the first English constitution was accepted, with the word 'German' deleted from the name of the congregation. Average English attendance was 320 and on German Sundays, 270. Very muddy roads often kept people from church, but one Sunday a member was so determined to get to church that he walked two miles.

In 1930, the congregation observed the 400th anniversary of the acceptance of the Augsburg Confession. The barns, which were in disrepair, were torn down and smaller ones built. Many men turned out to help, including elderly Christian Oerman and Henry Scheer, who were found shingling on top of a barn. A rest room was built in the northeast corner of church. The parsonage was raised, a full basement was put under it, and a bathtub was installed. For a number of years, there was no running water in the house. Water was carried in, which was very difficult at times, especially during a blizzard when the drifts were two to five feet high, often covering the entire pump. Also, until a furnace was installed, five black stoves had to be fed with cobs, wood. and coal to keep everyone warm. Members took turns cutting the lawns, but later the Walther League took on this job. Family Christmas bags of nuts, candy, and fruit were still given out, besides the ones given to the children. They were dropped one year. and some grumbling in German could be heard because they didn't get their bags. In 1931, Pastor Eckhardt started a monthly bulletin, called "Immanuel Lutheran Messenger" that church members subscribed to for 25 cents a year and received in the mail. He would list the past month's church attendance and the dates for the next month's meetings and special events. There would be items about new babies, weddings or anniversaries, a mention of people sick or recovering, and organizational activities. It there had been a funeral, there would be a listing of memorials given. The Messenger also included many inspirational articles. That year a Dorcas Society was formed by some of the young ladies of the congregation. They had a membership fee of 25 cents and monthly dues of 10 cents. One of their activities was making quilts to raise funds for missionary work. They had an annual picnic and sometimes had wiener roasts to which they invited the Walther League. In June of 1933 they dissolved due to the declining membership because of marriages, and the lack of new members. Though this community was predominantly Lutheran with very few non-church families, Pastor Eckhardt felt mission work was needed now that English services were started in the church. For several summers he offered a Vacation Bible School in the public school, and later in Emil Krohn's home, for the children of families with no church of their own. Even though money was tight and he had to pay for his own car expenses, he would travel around and gather the children until his car was so full that some had to sit, on the trunk, in order that they have the chance to learn about Christ. For many years, children were given Catechism lessons every Sunday for ten minutes after the sermon. The English Catechism was used, which was of great importance for the parents who had learned everything in German. Because of this, the children sat in the front pews, which gave the parents a good view of the behavior of their children. On Communion Sundays, a Confessional service was held half an hour before the start of the regular service. The congregation purchased 100 Bibles so that each person attending the Sunday morning Bible class or the various organization meetings could benefit by studying the Scriptures. In 1933, Mr. Ludwig Bartling, Sr., had served the congregation as an elder for 47 years, and Mr. Henry Kuhis had served 20 years as a trustee. Mission Festivals were always big days, with two or three services held. Neighboring congregations would be invited, and they would drop their Sunday service and urge their members to come here. We would do the same for them. We held these services In the grove north of the church to accommodate a large crowd, and the ladies of the congregation would serve a noon meal-free, of course! It required considerable work to properly feed several hundred. In 1934, we had an attendance of 1,412. Guest speakers would preach in the morning and afternoon. In Pastor Eckhardt's book, he tells of a speaker who had not arrived when it was time for a service, so he started, wondering what he should do if the speaker didn't come. As the congregation started the first hymn, the speaker arrived. Hurriedly the pastor took off his coat, put on his gown, looked up the liturgy, and as the last stanza was being sung, hastened to the front of the altar. In his haste, he forgot to take off his straw hat, so there he stood, ready to open the service in the name of the Lord, when he suddenly realized that he was a little top-heavy and quickly removed his hat. In the 30's, drought spread across our country. Once, we sent a total of 53 sacks of grain and potatoes, I 1 sacks of flour and 12 boxes of clothing to aid families in South Dakota. Soon after, the drought and grasshoppers also affected us. In 1936, members dug a trench for ensilage to feed the Pastor's and Teacher's cows, but not enough cornstalks could be found to fill ft. One year Pastor couldn't afford to take his family for a little vacation because of the expensive feed for the cow. For several years, the voters tried to raise enough money to paint the church, but couldn't get enough funds and would drop it until the next year or two. Finally, in 1936 the members painted the church. Mr. Henry Beerman was in charge, Mr. Louis Moll mixed paint, and Mr. Emil Niebuhr tended to the' "dizzy" heights. Ten men painted each day for four days. It is unknown when the first wedding was held in the church Instead of the bride's home. When they did start having weddings in the church, the bridal couple and attendants were seated on special chairs during the service. But one young lady had a beautiful train on her wedding dress and didn't want it to get wrinkled, so she insisted that they stand because that was what was done in other churches. From then on, the wedding party stood at the altar during the entire service. At weddings and anniversaries, it was the custom to take a collection, which was usually given to missions. Collections were also taken at funerals. Several funerals had 600 to 700 in attendance; nearly double the number at a regular church service. The undertaker was asked not to play phonograph records before the funeral, but appropriate organ music could be played. upon the death of a member, the church bell would be rung the number of years of the life of the deceased. The pastor also rang the church bell every Saturday evening at sundown to remind the people of the coming Lord's Day, and it was rung an hour before church in the morning. 1937 - 1946 Our church membership was 455 and communicant members totaled 352. There were 54 children in the congregation of school age, and of these, 32 attended our day school. There was an average English attendance of 304, and 230 for German services.

Each month Pastor preached three English services and one German service, with an English service immediately following. The congregation finally gave permission to start a Sunday school for the children who didn't attend our day school. They had been afraid it would cause the eventual closing of the school, but both have thrived. Also that year, the sons of Mr. and Mrs. Emil Krohn were given $10 to pump the pipe organ. Rev. A Bringawatt of the Fremont Orphanage was called to be assistant pastor with a pay of $1.50 for each trip to assist at English Communion and $3 when a sermon was delivered. He served until he accepted a call to Omaha in 1944. In 1940, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of our church dedication. In 1941, Teacher Vonderlage resigned after having served as teacher, organist, choir director and janitor for 36 years. Often, at special occasions, he was called upon to sing and he also directed the Men's Octet. Mr. Alvin Brandhorst was called to teach at a salary of $1,000 a year. The school board collected money from the members for the teacher to purchase a 'GOOD' cow. Allard Barding was the first member of our congregation to leave for World War II. A $1,000 memorial was given to help fund the $2,600 organ, which was dedicated with a special concert in 1942,

Principal Alvin Brandhorst 1941-1944

The old organ was sold to a church in Scribner. Several special collections were taken for our Lutheran men in the Army and Navy and for the Red Cross. German services were dropped as attendance had dropped to less than 100 each service; and it was decided to celebrate Communion every month. Easter was on April 25 that year, the first time in 100 years that it fell so late in April. Bad roads still provided a hardship getting to church, and there were only 38 in attendance on June 13, 1942 because of all the rain we had received. A German proverb states, 'Every beginning is difficult." This also proved to be so when a new church building was being proposed. Finally, in 1942, our congregation resolved to establish a Church Building Fund. A committee consisting of Herman Timme. Art Hagerbaumer, and Howard Kuss was established to collect a free-will offering from each family each year for the fund, All societies of the congregation were urged to participate in the fund raising; however, it would be done without any public money-raising schemes. The contributions would come from our own pockets and be given out of love for Christ. Members were encouraged to buy war bonds to help the government and later, when they were redeemed, it would help the congregation and fulfill their pledges for the building fund. The 1943 budget items included Synod $1,650, Pastor $1,400 and Teacher $1,150. In 1944 the budget was I set at $6,100. Pastor announced he had no objection to 4-H as long as religion was left out, and admonished members to be extra careful when selecting pallbearers at funerals in our church. In 1944, Pastor's report to the voters showed communion held 11 times with 1,546 partaking, general membership 446, communion membership 346 and voting membership 110. Day school numbered 26 and Sunday school 20. Upon request of our government, we sent several boxes of religious books and Christian literature to be distributed to the World War II German inmates in the prison camps in this country. Pastor offered $5 to our Sunday school teachers for each adult gained for the adult catechumen class. For several months in 1944, all organizations of the congregation cancelled their meeting because of the critical time for transportation during the war when gas and tires were rationed. Pastor found out that ministers were exempt from tire rationing, as doctors were, when a dealer offered to sell him new tires when he needed them. Teacher Brandhorst left in 1944, and Teacher Walter Firnhaber was installed. We redecorated the church at a cost of $750.

Principal Walter Firnhaber 1944-1953

From the beginning of the congregation, the men sat on the left side, facing the altar, and the women on the right side. Woe unto any woman who would sit with her husband on the south side, which the older men had occupied for so long without the smell of ladies' perfume to counteract the fragrant smell of grandpa's smoking and chewing tobacco. There would be much conversation going on before and sometimes during the service. It was decided that if the congregation dispensed with this custom, and husbands sat with their wives, a more worshipful atmosphere would prevail. After all, "what would be left to say by husband and wife, having seen each other all week." In 1944, a resolution was passed stating that the congregation did not object to mixed attendance at communion, and from then on, the men and women sat together. In 1945, the congregation resolved to dispense with the old custom of communicants walking around the altar to receive the wine, after having partaken of the bread. Because it was very inconvenient for the communicants to kneel down properly in our church, it was decided that we should confess our sins with bowed heads while standing.

In April 1945, terms were set for the length of time a person could be re-elected to an office or committee. Mr. Emil Niebuhr asked to be relieved of his treasurer duties, which he had held for 20 years, and Ted Panning was elected the new treasurer. Our church had two boys at the St. Louis Seminary, Paul Krohn and Eugene Eckhardt. It was decided to dispense with the playing of the organ during the speaking of the Lord's Prayer. Surplus funds of $500 were used to purchase a motion picture projection machine; and for a while, tickets were sold for the pictures, but later a free-will offering was taken. Our congregation's 70th year again had us busy remodeling. A basement was dug under the teacher's house and an addition built on for a new kitchen. Both houses received electric hot water heaters, septic tanks, and stools. Sidewalks were put in from the church to the parsonage and from church to the cemetery. A special collection was held for relief in Europe and China, and $70 of surplus funds was used to ship clothing and canned goods overseas. 1947 - 1966 From the budget surplus, $400 was sent to Fremont Orphanage, $300 to Seward Teachers College, and $1 00 to Lutheran University. Furnaces, large enough to heat all the rooms, were installed in the two houses. Ione Oerman started to teach Sunday school so Mr. Firnhaber could take care of the church furnace before services. Two more ushers were elected to gather the Sunday collection instead of the elders. In 1948, the last three rows of pews on the main floor were reserved for families with small children; and a heater was offered for a trial period in the baby room. In 1950, the congregation decided to have two years of confirmation instruction instead of just one. Soon after, weekday confirmation classes were started for the member's children not attending our school. Pastor taught all these classes in an upstairs room in his house. Also in 1950, the congregation decided to begin building a now church, having collected $62,000 towards the cost. The building committee was Herman Hoegermeyer, Harvey Hagerbaumer, Henry Hartung, Clarence Branded and Paul Kuh1s.

New Brick Church 1952

On Easter Sunday 1951, a ground breaking service was held. The old church was moved northwest of the present site so the basement of the new one could be dug. During the moving process, services we re held at Hooper High School. Our 75th Anniversary was celebrated with the laying of the cornerstone of the new church. We had two services with special speakers, and the collection for the day was reserved for a special item for the new church. As soon as the old church was settled, we again held services there. When the social room of the new church was completed, we moved our services into it. On May 11, 1952 our new church, costing approximately $150,000, was dedicated. Two services with special speakers were held and a hot ham dinner was served to over 900. Many area pastors and visitors were in attendance. An afternoon lunch was served to approximately 500; both meals prepared by the ladies of the congregation. The Ladies Aid donated the altar and the Walther League donated the pulpit. The belfry of the new church was equipped with an amplifier, which was connected to a record player in the church. From here, hymns would be played, which on a quiet day, could be heard several miles away. Christmas carols would be played on Christmas Eve as the people came to church, and appropriate hymns would be played after a funeral as the people walked to the cemetery.

Though the church was completed and dedicated, it was not debt free. It took a number of years of soliciting and special offerings before it could be announced that all loans had been taken care of, Most of the money had been borrowed from the members at 5% interest. Only about $20,000 was borrowed from a bank. The interest money received by the members often was used to give a bigger contribution towards the debt. The budget for that year was at $13,407, including the salary of $1,800 for a second teacher. The old church was torn down and the lumber auctioned. We held a special collection for the South Sioux City flood relief, and two drives for the building fund, with a final debt of about $45,000. In 1953 a church council was formed, a Sunday bulletin was started and Pastor's "Lutheran Messenger" was dropped. A Financial Secretary position was created to oversee the envelope system, which was adopted for collections. Mr. Firnhaber accepted a call to Osmond, Nebraska, and Miss Janice Gerhard was called for two years to teach the upper grades. In April of that year we again hosted the Northern Regional Conference, as we had several times in the past. Often it would rain when it was our turn to host it, so during a dry spell some members were once heard to say, "We better have a conference again in our church." It was decided the Ladies Aid would only serve at sales for the congregation members; and that non-voting members could be elected ushers. Pastor admonished the men "not to work in the field on Sunday, unless absolutely necessary, and then never unless they had first attended church." In 1955 Teacher Arthur Albrecht was called at a salary of $2,750, and he would receive a month's vacation.

1957 - 1966 In 1957 we celebrated Pastor's 30 years at our congregation. The ladies of our church were given permission to clean the social room three times a year. By 1958 the building debt was down to $15,400, The three outside church doors were replaced and the front doors repainted. Storm windows were put on the lower floors of the houses and 20 Austrian Pines were planted as a cemetery border. Esther Pawling was asked to clean the church rest rooms, and the parents of school children would clean the school's. Members were asked to advertise property for rent or sale through the church to try to keep Lutheran property in Lutheran hands, and thus strengthen our congregation.

Principal Arthur Albrecht 1955-1963

A church budget of $20,165 for 1960 was presented and Pastor reported that of the 115 children baptized in the last 12 years, 64 are still in the community and 53 are of school age. Attention was given to the old cemetery on Orlando Mueller's land. Graves were moved, a blueprint made of the grave locations, a plaque put up with the names and dates on it, and the ground was seeded and fenced. A brief history of the cemetery was inserted in the voter's minutes for future generations to have. More than 50 people are buried there, but it was abandoned in 1903 to start the cemetery next to the church.

Old Cemetery (Click image to enlarge)

On June 14, 1961, a mortgage burning for the church debt took place during a special service, and in July it was resolved to build a new school as $13,000 in pledges had been received. The dedication service was in September 1962. Mission Sunday was changed from the third Sunday in August to the second Sunday in October, a telephone installed in the school, and the congregation decided to pay the electricity for the two houses. The Christmas bags that year held candy bars and fruit instead of the usual Christmas candies and nuts. In 1963 St. Paul's in Winslow closed their doors, and a number of the members transferred to Immanuel, increasing our membership to 398 and 315 communicants. Teacher Albrecht accepted a call to Naperville, Illinois, and Mr. Mervin Dehning accepted our call for a salary of $3,700. We decided to furnish all utilities for Pastor and Teacher. The voters decided tobacco products would no longer be sold at church functions. A Finance Committee of four members was created to count and record the contribution envelopes and report to the Financial Secretary. An honorary roll of voting members who cannot attend meetings because of permanent disability was created. The new lower room teacher was hired at a salary of $3,000. We adopted Synods retirement plan for ministers and lay workers and the Synod Welfare plan.

Pastor Eckhardt indicated his wish to retire, but was persuaded to stay on so we could celebrate with him his 45 years in the ministry. Therefore, on December 31, 1965, he retired after serving Immanuel 38 years. In his book, Pastor recalled the process of moving to Fremont: “Having lived in a nine-room house for 38 years, many things accumulated which we no longer needed and could not use in a new and much smaller house.” At the suggestion of a member, who also was moving to Fremont, our unwanted goods were added to his and placed on sale. Again kindness was shown to my wife and me when a number of ladies helped clean the new home prior to moving in. Then came moving day at which time men and women appeared to help load all we still had on several trucks to be taken to Fremont. One could call it a joyful party for there was much laughter and fun. Yes, there were even some men who were filled with youthful mischief and took the labels off of six cans of groceries and destroyed them. They were caught in the act, and now a guessing contest ensued. Looking at the price on the can and feeling the weight, we thought we knew what the contents were, but a number of times our guess was wrong. For instance, one morning we thought we had grapefruit sections, but on opening the can we had apricot pie filling. If at any time the fun-loving "culprits' should read these lines, no doubt they will still have to chuckle.'

Principal Mervin Dehning 1963 -1977

Pastor Henry Stoll 1966-1974

Pastor Henry Stoll was installed July 3, 1966 at a salary of $4,800. During his first year, Pastor Stoll started a Couples Club for the young (and young-at-heart) married couples of the church. This organization was in existence for over 10 years. 1967 - 1976 It was decided that weekday confirmation students should study for three years before being confirmed. The school debt was down to $2,700 after almost $14,000 had been paid off during the last three years. In April 1968, the school held a mortgage burning and open house. Due to the unrest in our Lutheran Church Missouri Synod concerning doctrinal matters, it was resolved to join in the resolution not to participate in altar and pulpit fellowship with the American Lutheran Church. The church received new carpet in the balcony and stairway, the chancel, and center aisle.

Camp Luther opened in 1969 near Schuyler. The altar curtain was replaced to match the new carpet, and Pastors and Teacher's salaries were increased $1 000 above the budgeted amount. Organists were paid $3 per service, and it was decided to build a new parsonage. The congregation also made the decision to give $1,000 for five years for a room in the Omaha Medical Center. August 30, 1970 was set aside to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of Pastor and Mrs. Eckhardt, and Pastor's 50th year in the ministry. The congregation ladies served the lunch for the open house and past and present elders and their wives served the evening meal. In 1973, we observed Synod's 125th anniversary.

Parsonage 1971

The new parsonage, costing $28,850, was dedicated in April 1971. During the next six years, a 2-car garage was built for the teacher, gates we re installed in the opening of the communion rail, the outside front steps of church were carpeted, individual Communion ware was purchased, and the glass doors were installed. Pastor and Mrs. Eckhardt gave the church an eternal light for the chancel, and the teacher's house was remodeled and air conditioning installed. A church library was again organized by a group of congregational ladies, and it was decided that ushers would be appointed by council instead of elected. In 1974 Pastor Stoll accepted a call to McGregor, Iowa, and in Jan. 1975, Rev. Paul Kern was installed.

Pastor Paul Kern 1975-1978

Also that year, Eugene Eckhardt was our Mission Sunday speaker, and we celebrated his 25th year in the ministry. On June 29, 1976 the church's 100th anniversary was celebrated. Beverly Hartung was music director and William Niebuhr the organist. He and his family presented a musical program as part of the service. Special projects that year included a pew back for the front pews, new carpet for the altar area, and acoustical tile and recessed lighting in the school basement. A half-day kindergarten teacher was hired.

Principal Robert Lehman 1977-1982 1990-1992

1977 - 1986 The budget for 1977 was set at $54,520 for home purposes. New Year's Eve services were dropped. Cards were introduced for announcing for communion instead of personally announcing on Wednesdays. A portable microphone was purchased for Pastor, and congregational officers no longer included a Parking Committee. Robert Lehman accepted our call and was installed as the now Principal after Mr. Dehning left. Pastor Kern accepted a call to Mt. Pulaski, Illinois in 1978 and Rev. Rodney Meske was called and was installed later that year. In 1979, the congregation built a $132,300 multipurpose building on to the school.

School and Multipurpose Building 1979

Also that year, confirmation questioning was changed to the Friday night before Confirmation, and confirmands began the practice of reading essays on their confirmation verses to the congregation. Each confirmand also makes a banner depicting their verse that is displayed in church. Starting in 1980, communion was offered twice a month, and the school centennial was celebrated that March. Voters meetings were changed to the third Sunday of the month. Baptized membership was 425, confirmed members 309. The congregation started a Scholarship program for our students going into church work.

Principal J.W. Einspahr 1982-1987

Robert Lehman accepted a call in l982 to Texas, and J. W. Einspahr was installed as Principal, it was decided that the confirmation classes would be acolytes for the church services, 100 of the new Lutheran Worship hymnals were purchased, and a piano was given to the church. We celebrated Pastor's 10th year in the ministry in 1984. School children, trustees, and the Board of Education planted 100 trees on the church and school property. The loan balance on the gym remained at $33,900. A Vacation Bible School was organized about 1985 and 77 children attended the first year. Over the years, several of our congregational ladies have been in charge of the program and many others help them. Ladies of the congregation help serve the noon meal and several provide cookies and bars. A videotape ministry was started in 1986 with the donation of a camera. Since the beginning, Al Hagerbaumer, Dale Moll, and Vernon Brandert have taken turns taping each Sunday service, and volunteers take the videos to nursing homes and to our shut-ins. Later, a television was set up in the basement to enable people in the social room to view the service.

1987 - 1996 The basement classroom was carpeted, a Greeter's program organized, a flagpole was placed in the cemetery, and Miss Knaack accepted the head teacher position when Mr. Einsphar left in 1987. In 1988, total baptized members were 383 and communicant members 281. Our gym debt stood at $20,000, and the 50-year old organ received major repairs. We repaired the flat roof on the church, spent $11,600 to tuck-point, clean, and seal the exterior brick, and $1,000 to replace the protective glass on the church windows. Emergency lighting was installed in the church and gym. Total receipts for the year were $188,346 and disbursements, $182,765. In 1990, a fourth classroom was created and Robert Lehman was again called as Principal. The church received pew cushions, and a new fire alarm system was placed in the school. We honored Vivian Stuenkel for her service to the congregation over the years and her retirement as Parish secretary, and Pastor and Mrs. Eckhardt on their 70th anniversary and Pastor's 70th year in the ministry. The church was air-conditioned and the gym debt was paid. The Cemetery committee reported there were 786 gravesites and 140 not purchased. Cost was $50 per site. Mailboxes were installed in the narthex and the church underground fuel tanks removed. It was decided that individual cups would be used for communion the second Sunday and both common and individual cups would be offered the last Sunday of each month. An Endowment Fund was established, and we transferred our missionary commitment from Tom Brinkley to Amy Hartwig. Mr. Lehman accepted a call to Missouri and Miss Knaack again became the Head Teacher. It was decided that the Altar Committee and Courtesy Committee would be composed of ladies of the congregation, instead of just the Ladies Aid. A handicap ramp was built on the southwest corner of church costing $9,300, and the constitution by-laws were changed to read "every male age 19 and over are voting members." In 1992, the Helping Hands Committee was organized, and grew from 7 to 32 members the first year. Besides providing an occasional meal for families, they provide rides to doctors, to church and for groceries. For the past three years, they have hosted potluck Christmas dinners for those who will be "home alone" that day; and two years ago, their annual Community Get Acquainted night was first held for members and our neighbors. The first year, there were 96 in attendance. In 1994, we had a total baptized membership of 396 and 311 confirmed. The Endowment fund repaired the organ for $3,900 and replaced the school hall floor for $5,000. The Mother's room in church was changed to the "Media Room" with the addition of a large bookshelf and cabinet for video and cassette tapes. In 1996, the Endowment fund paid for the removal of the large Pines north of church and the planting of new trees, resided the teacher's garage, and gave $1,000 to Lincoln High School building fund. A Committee was formed to implement the 12 Keys to an Effective Church" plan. 1997 - PRESENT The trustees were kept busy with projects during these last few years, Carpet was put in the church social room, on the stage, and stairs, and new tile put in the kitchen and restrooms. The church roof had to be repaired after hail damage, and a keyboard was purchased for the church. By removing two rows of pews, the Narthex was expanded and a handicap restroom added In 1998. We purchased 90 Bibles for Russia and 2 wells for Ghana, West Africa. Rev. Paul Krohn was the guest speaker for our observance of the 150th Missouri Synod Anniversary, and Gene Panning was guest organist. The Endowment Fund sent $500 to Northeast High School at Norfolk and $500 to Winnebago Youth. Total budget receipts were $228,800 and expenses $196.000. Immanuel's committee to study the possibility of establishing a Fremont area Lutheran High School are Pastor, Miss Knaack, David Bartling and Greg Hoegermeyer. Early in 1998 a committee was formed to start planning the church's 125th Anniversary to be celebrated in the year, 2001. Selected for this committee were Lowell Mueller, Gerald and Marilyn Bohling, Gloria Kriete, Ruth Knaack, and Pastor Meske. They decided to build a gazebo and directory for the cemetery, and a display case for the social room. A church directory will be published with several pages of history added. Joyce Oarman provided the anniversary theme and designed the logo. Now carpet was installed in church and Pastor's study in early 1999. It was decided to hold some of the voters meetings directly .4, after the church service, and Saturday evening services with communion were started once a month. We celebrated Pastor Meske's 25th year in the ministry in June. It was reported that the Endowment Fund was worth $66,000. A transmitter and four receivers were given to the church for the hearing impaired. Our church membership reflects the times and the way of life. Families are much smaller, and sons may not be able to stay on the farm, or choose not to. As people retire, their farms are often sold to neighboring farmers and fewer new families move into the area. When people get older, they usually move to a near-by town instead of staying on the farm or living with their families. Sometimes it is easier for them to transfer their membership to a church near their new home. We are fortunate, though, to have very dedicated people living in Hooper and Fremont who willingly offer rides every Sunday and to weekday meetings. We have enjoyed many new members in the past few years that have come to us for their Spiritual care and guidance, and we look forward to many more new members in the future.

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IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH

THE LUTHERAN CHURCH

MISSOURI SYNOD