Immanuel Lutheran Celebrates 100 Years
Tue, 06/27/2017 - 10:42am
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The sun shone brightly, the sky a warm clear blue, the birds chirped a cheerful summer song and a new “Welcome” banner greeted the faithful with the warmth of a rising sun. Friends and family, young and old, current and former members, those that flew in from afar as well as those who biked from their home just a few blocks away, all walked through the familiar doors and up the stairs filling the pews in the sanctuary one by one, coming home to celebrate 100 years of fellowship and worship at Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Warm greetings with joyous smiles were exchanged. The bell rang out after years of silence. The organ and piano, masterfully manipulated, pumped out glorious melodies leading voices that filled the sanctuary lifting the hearts and souls of all who attended. Many were the descendants of charter members, whose families have worshiped together for a century.
It all began in October 1915 when Lutheran worship services were conducted in Edward’s School in Lessor Township, then later organized as Zion Lutheran Church of Lessor Township on January 2, 1917. On September 16, 1917 Candidate P.J. Seltz was ordained and installed as the first Pastor to lead the congregation. Shortly after his installation, he conducted services in McIntosh giving birth to the Immanuel Lutheran Congregation.
Immanuel Lutheran Church was organized January 20, 1918 and was incorporated July 20, 1920. There were approximately 20 members in the early congregation.
For several years, the worship services were conducted in various buildings and sanctuaries’ that were available. On May 21, 1923 the Congregation purchased the present church which was then known as St. Luke’s Norwegian Lutheran Church for a cost of $3,000. Dedication services were held in July 1923. In early 1926 the Congregation purchased a parsonage at a cost of $3,000.
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lessor Township dissolved in November 1927 and the members joined the Immanuel Lutheran church. Early in the years the Congregation was subsidized by the Mission Board of the Old Minnesota District. In 1932 the congregations of McIntosh, Fosston, and Mentor joined together to call a pastor and become self-supporting. Immanuel Lutheran officially joined the Minnesota District of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and other states.
A special service was held on June 4, 1944 in which the mortgages for the church and parsonage were burnt. According to an article in the McIntosh Times, “The church was well filled for the momentous occasion…A table had been prepared with a large vase, and the papers were burned in this container. During the burning the congregation united in singing ‘A Mighty Fortress Is Our God’…A social hour was held in the church parlors at the close of the evening…Brief toasts during the social hour were made by Rev. Fellwock and Rev. Schuett.”The parsonage was later sold and in April 1963 the Walter Berg home was purchased for a parsonage at a cost of $14,000. This parsonage was also later sold.
Through the years the congregation has remodeled its facilities to improve its function and capacity. The front entry structure was added to the church in 1980. The kitchen, chancel, nave walls, carpeting, floor, acoustical tile in the ceiling, new doors, and organ, are some of the various remodels and updates that the structure has seen throughout the years. The latest update was the new construction and remodeling of the steeple, completed in 2016.
The Pakard Organ is a pump organ from the early days and remains on display in the vestibule of the church. It was replaced by the Wurlitzer Electronic Organ. The Wurlitzer was dedicated January 9, 1949, but is no longer in use. The present Allen organ was purchased in 1975.
Today we find few children attending our weekly services; as a result those in attendance have been meeting with Pastor John Anderson of Poplar Lake Lutheran Church for Confirmation each week for the past year. The children are encouraged to attend summer Bible Camp and other churches for Release Time classes and Vacation Bible School.
The Immanuel Ladies Aid meets monthly and is active in several projects such as Devotion Sessions at McIntosh Senior Living and Pioneer Memorial Care Center. The Aid is also responsible for Alter Guild, Christmas dinners, Bible Studies, fellowships before and after church services.
Special services for the 25th Anniversary were held on Jun 7, 1942. The 50th Anniversary celebration was held in 1967 and the 75th Anniversary on July 5, 1992. Now, having celebrated the 100th Anniversary this past weekend, on June 25th, 2017, the church looks forward to a future filled with faith and love.