About Us

In 1866, the congregation heard the call to begin a Christian school in Waldenberg, and so a thriving school was begun. As the congregation grew, it was evident that this church was too small. The first brick church was built in 1866 standing in the same place as its present structure. In 1877, the school was split into two districts. (One remaining at 21 Mile and Romeo Plank Road and the other at the corner of 24 Mile and Romeo Plank Road.) At this time there were signs of the beginning of a new congregation as an outgrowth of Immanuel. In 1883, 19 members from Immanuel formed St. Peter Lutheran Church, presently at 24 Mile and Romeo Plank Road. The school building there was sold to them in 1887 for $5.00.

The congregation continued to grow and it was evident again that the sanctuary needed to be enlarged. So in 1910, the present chapel was dedicated. The congregation continued to grow and in 1929 the first confirmation class was instructed in English and in 1930, the first English worship services were held. By 1960, the German services were discontinued. The school continued to grow and in June of 1961, the present school building was dedicated. It also continued to grow. In 1980, the worshipping attendance on a weekend was 396.

In 1984, Pastor Michael Lutz came to Immanuel and it was a combination of the Lord’s working in the community, within the people of Immanuel, and the leadership, that the congregation began to show some dramatic growth in worship attendance. In 1986, the average worship attendance was 502. As the growth took place, the parking lots were completed with an addition to the school in 1987. Worship attendance increased and the need for an additional worship service was experienced. As the years progressed, the need was very evident to once again expand the church facility. Because of the growth, on the weekend of March 21-23, 1998 we dedicated our Worship Center which seats 1200. The present average worship attendance is over 1300 each weekend.