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Our History |
Emmanuel's roots begin with seven families who were present at its very beginning on December 13, 1901. On April 10, 1902, Emmanuel became an organized congregation with ten familes. These members included the families of John Jobman, Martin Fritzen, Herman Carstens, Henry Daubendieck, Rewert Miller, Fritze Daubendiek, Fritze Eggert, John Parde, Reinder Zimmerman and Gerd Ideus.Rev. J.B. Reents served as the first minister. The first parsonage was provided in 1902, cemetery ground purchased in 1913, a schoolhouse built in 1923, and a new parsonage built in 1925. From 1945 to 1951, the church was enlarged, a full basement was put under the church, and a balcony was added. A bell was purchased for the new steeple, and an organ was purchased for the sanctuary. The church was enlarged again from 1961 to 1967 with the addition of an overflow room, a pastor's office, and a larger kitchen. From 1967 to 1970 a public address system was installed. In 1985 a larger narthex, additional restrooms, and a Sunday School room in the basement were built, and the entrance was made handicapped-accessible. In 1974, women were given the right to vote on church decisons at the annual and semi-annual meetings. | |
