Church History – Immanuel Lutheran Church

History of our Church

Rev. Emil Eberhardt, a traveling missionary, recommends preaching stations in Southern Alberta.
1909 Immanuel Lutheran Church begins its ministry as part of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other States.
Services are held in a private home on the north side
The congregation is served by a student, F. Zehe.
A Christian day school is started with an enrollment of 14 children.

1911-1913 Immanuel is served by Rev. O.A. Groth
1914-1920 Immanuel is served by Rev. H. Elling
Several small communities are served by the pastor, including Warner, Milk River, Coutts, Wrentham, Magrath, Cardston, Coalhurst, Diamond City, Monarch, Grassy Lake, and others no longer in existence such as Fluann, Goddard, and Glenwoodville.
A Ladies Aid is established.
1920 Rev. Elling is succeeded by Pastor E. H. Krieger.
December 5, 1920, a constitution is adopted and written in German.

1951 – Huge influx of immigrants; as many as 1000 worshipers each Sunday.
1954 Immanuel relocates to 18th Street and 6th Avenue South.
1957 – 1966 Pastor John Ohlinger.
Vacation Bible School is initiated.
1960 Congregation becomes officially known as Immanuel Lutheran Church of Lethbridge, Alberta.

1966 – Dec.1973 Rev. Walter Schoepp
Christian Education is instituted (Saturday school, confirmation, and adult Bible classes)
1969 Parish worker Evelyn Klaus
Immanuel celebrates 60th anniversary; Rev. Eichenlaub is guest speaker.
1970 Special voter’s meeting, voting membership changed to include women
1970 – 1972 Elizabeth Walker, Parish worker

1972 Sigrid Henrich is hired as Secretary; serves for 32 years
1974 – 1979 Pastor Paul Koester
1980 begins to investigate the idea of adding to 6 ave. church. Especially a narthex improvement
June 1980 – 1988 Pastor Ron Mayan
Marriage Enrichment Program begins

Active programs include: Cradle Roll, Sunday School, Confirmation, Kids for Christ, Youth, Prayer Chain, LWML, Braille Centre, Dates for Mates, Shepard’s Assistants
1993 – Habitat for Humanity Lethbridge is initiated and supported by Immanuel; office space is provided in the parsonage
1996 – 2012- Rev. Richard Brown (Retired)
1996 Christmas Cantata, “Silent Was The Night”
1997 members participate in the 5-day Spiritual Adventure
1998 Shirley Masnyk elected as first female congregational chairman; holds office for 10 years
1999 Immanuel Lutheran Church enters the Internet as first website is created.
1999 – 2000 DPS intern Erin Nast
2000 – 2005 DPS Anne Marie Schwartz
Immanuel hosts “By All Possible Means” Evangelism Conference in the fall of 2000 for over 80 participants from Southern Alberta

October 28, 2001, installation and dedication of sign at present location, 20 Rocky Mountain Blvd.
September 2003 mortgage on present lot is paid off
2003 German Carol Service is initiated
February 2004, Irm Kuhn, Secretary
April 1, 2004, ground breaking at 20 Rocky Mountain Blvd.
June 12, 2005 Final service at 539 18th Street South
June 19, 2005 First service held at 20 Rocky Mountain Blvd.
2005 James Avery, vicar
2006 Glenn Worcester, vicar
2008 Little Lambs Preschool is initiated
2009 – 2016 Pastor Nathan Fuehrer (Associate Pastor)
November 15, 2009 Immanuel Lutheran Church celebrates 100 years of ministry.
2016-2017 Rev. Richard Brown (Pastor Emeritus) assists in shut-in ministry
2016-2018 – Pastor Robert Mohns – Intentional Interim Pastor
May 2018 – Present – Pastor Lee Loveridge