History of Immanuel Lutheran Church

Settlers came to the Altamont area from Buffalo, New York in the 1850’s. Many of these originally came from the Prussia/Pomeranian area of Germany and were known as “Old Lutherans” because they held to the traditional Lutheran doctrine and practices of the church. When true Lutheran worship was no longer permitted under the threat of penalty or imprisonment, dedication to God’s word led them to leave Prussia for America. When land became too expensive in Buffalo, some of these traveled to Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Those who came to Altamont formed congregations here.

 

A number of families settled on railroad land south of Altamont and established Bethlehem church. When the railroad ended up several miles north, people settling around the newly established town decided to form a congregation there. Lutherans were meeting in homes with the pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church leading them.  In a meeting held on February 2, 1874 the congregation drafted a constitution  and bought an old school building, moving it to the southwest corner of Edwards St. and E. Washington Ave. The founding members, signing the constitution were: Bernhard Kopplin, Frederick Engel, Ferdinand Krueger, W. Krull, Herman Munzel, K. Peters, W. Schmiedeberg, K. Schiedeberg, and August Vogt. The congregation affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Missouri, Ohio, and other states, in what is now known as The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

 

The newly formed congregation of Immanuel was served by the pastor of Bethlehem congregation. Baptisms, confirmations, and funerals were recorded in the books at Bethlehem.  It wasn’t until five years later in 1879 that the congregation called its own pastor.  Pastor J.G. Goesswein graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis that year and was installed as the pastor of Immanuel.  At this time there were 30 voting members and 141 baptized members. There were also 31 children of school age. From this time on the congregation was an independent congregation.

​

​In 1884 another church building became available and it was moved to the corner of North Edwards and East Division streets.  Much remodeling was done and a steeple was added.  This building was our center of worship until May 19, 1968 when the present sanctuary, built in its place, held it's first service.