IMMANUEL-TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH CELEBRATES LAST
WORSHIP SERVICE AT DOWNTOWN LOCATION JUNE 12, 2011
On June 12th at 10:00 am, Immanuel-Trinity Lutheran Church celebrated its last worship service at 40 East Division St., This was a decommissioning service with a farewell and God-speed to the building which has served the congregation since it was built in 1929. The service began inside and closed outside. Since it was Pentecost Sunday, we are invitied all who attended to wear red.
A guided tour of the church was available from 8:00 am to 9:15 am before the service. All members, past and present, and guests with an interest in this beautiful church building, were invited to tour and participate in the decommissioning service. Pastors who have served the congregation in the past were invited to attend if possible.
There are many key milestones from August 1897 when eight people met to discuss their interest in starting a new congregation. They named their group Immanuel German Lutheran Congregation. In 2005, the present congregation made a momentous decision to replace the downtown structure with one that would better meet the needs of this era with handicap accessibility, more parking, and updated infrastructure. Many current members have spent their entire religious lives from baptisms through confirmations, marriages and funerals in this church building. As one would expect, there is much emotional attachment which is hard to leave behind.
In the years between, there have been five different structures housing the congregations. The first was the refurbished Turner Hall on the corner of Division and Portland. This was renovated and rebuilt several times and additional nearby lots were purchased. The services were in German for the first ten years when an English service was added. After a few years, the English speaking group decided to have their own building and renamed their congregation Trinity Lutheran Church. Both congregations remained close and shared the same pastor. However, after three years they decided to become one congregation again in one location under the name of Immanuel-Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Shortly after its 25th year, in 1922, the newly merged congregation began making plans to build a new church. Sketches of the new church were prepared by architect Clarence Jahn. However arguments delayed the proposal until 1928. Ground was broken in 1929. The thirteenth century English Gothic Church was dedicated the next year. The cost is recorded at $116,000. Even though the depression hit and the congregation struggled to survive those hard times, the membership grew and exhibited extraordinary vitality.
Of the many pastors leading this congregation, notable were Pastor Richard Bunge (1906-1912) who led the congregation’s survival through the controversial division into English and German speaking groups. Pastor John H. Becker (1912-1950) oversaw the reconstruction of the original church and the rejoining of the German and English groups as one congregation by 1920. He led the members through the debate leading to the 1929 construction of the 40 E. Division St. church building, Indebtedness was cleared by 1959 and the congregation continued to thrive and grow. Pastor Fred Landdeck (1950-1955) provided leadership while the Parish Hall and Office Annex were built.
Late in 1956, Immanuel-Trinity was blessed with the beginning of another long-term leader when Pastor Paul G. Piotter took the reins. He fostered congregational participation especially in the musicality of the services. Noted for its wonderful acoustics, visiting choirs commented at their pleasure of performing in this sanctuary. Music has always been a very important part of the church services, with several choirs, bells and string groups routinely performing in addition to outstanding organ support. In 1958 new Carillon Bells, donated by Elmer and Milton Homuth, were dedicated. In 1968, the new Teller Pipe Organ, with over 2,900 pipes, was dedicated. A new counsel was installed in 2001. This instrument is being carefully stored and will be installed in the new sanctuary at 20 Wisconsin American Drive when that is completed. Pastor Piotter served for 34 years retiring in 1990 at the age of 75.
In 2002, after many forums and informational mailings, 55% of the congregation voted to relocate/build new while 45% voted to remodel. A site committee was organized and the decision to purchase the current parcel of 11.25 acres for $562,000. was made only after many more meetings and in depth discussions. Also in 2002, Pastor Douglas Hedman accepted our call to be the Senior Pastor, only the 11th in Immanuel-Trinity’s history.
In June 2004, the congregation approved borrowing funds to begin Phase I of the new church campus. Excel Engineering designed the “Family Life Center” which was approved by the congregation in January 2005. Projected cost was estimated at $2,189,000. Stodola-Maas Construction was selected as the contractor and ground was broken May 1, 2005. The construction was completed in December. Dedication was held on April 23, 2006. The downtown facility was placed for sale on Jan. 19, 2009.
Although this marks the end of an era at a downtown location, Immanuel-Trinity Lutheran Church continues its ministries at their new location at 20 Wisconsin American Drive. The multi-functional Family Life Center served well for many purposes since its dedication. In June 2009 all church services, youth education, music ministries special events for the community and ongoing mission projects were officially moved to the new facility, it was renamed Immanuel-Trinity Lutheran Church.
After the decomissioning service, the congregation and guests traveed to the site of the new church to gather for a time of fellowship and lunch at the new picnic shelter. This was recently erected by members of Immanuel-Trinity and the family of Robert Dilling in his memory. The new site will also be open for tours and to view the plans for the future sanctuary, chapel, fellowship hall and offices. All members of the community were invited for this historic event.
For an order of service click on "Weekly Bulletins" June 12, 2011.
