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COLERIDGE – Immanuel Lutheran Church is celebrating a significant milestone all year long.
The church is commemerating its 140th year with small events set in April, June and August and a large celebration service and meal in September.
The first event - a brunch and quilt show - is set for Saturday, April 13. Brunch will begin at 9 a.m. with the quilt show to follow at 10 a.m. at the church. A free will offering will be taken at the door.
Diane Gubbels, Coleridge, will be sharing stories of inspiration behind her quilt creations.
The quilt show and brunch event came about from a church committee consisting of Jacie Burbach, Sheri and Kevin Krei, Julie Hefner and Joann Rathgeber. The committee has been brainstorming for about six months on ways to commemorate year 140.
In June, the church will host an old-time church service, and the Christian musical group Prodigal Sons will perform in August. The 140th celebration service and meal is set for Sept. 15.
Immanuel Lutheran traces its start back to 1884 when the Rev. A. Fleischmann, a traveling missionary, organized the first congregation consisting of eight families. They chose the name Immanuel which means, God with us.
The first pastor, Rev. Charles Brandt, held church services in German at the Lawn Ridge school house on Sundays. Two years later, the congregation purchased a 10acre tract for $200 and started to build on the land in 1891 including a church, parsonage and even some barns to store parishioners’ horses during inclement weather while at church services.
That building served the congregation well until 1926 when the decision was made to build a new church with more space in Coleridge. The building, still in use currently, was dedicated in February 1927.
The building served the church well for 20 years until it became evident that on quite a few Sundays, the building was filled to the doors with folding chairs having to be placed in the aisles to accommodate the worshippers.
In 1953, the decision was made to enlarge the church basement and superstructure. Some improvements this plan allowed for included: room for an additional 125 worshippers, seven classrooms, a large social room, a modern spacious kitchen, and washrooms and closets.
Improvements were made over the years and a significant addition occurred in 2002 when an elevator was installed.
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