Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Dakota City, NE
Posted by: Groundspeak Charter Member NevaP
N 42° 24.754 W 096° 25.047
14T E 712500 N 4698815
This church, built in 1860, is the first Lutheran Church in Nebraska.
Waymark Code: WM4MM1
Location: Nebraska, United States
Date Posted: 09/07/2008
Published By:Groundspeak Regular Member fellsmanhiker
Views: 8

The church is now maintained and preserved as a museum by the Dakota County Historical Society. It is used for special events but is not open on a regular basis.

A Nebraska Historical marker at the site gives the history of the church:

"Near here stands the first Lutheran church building constructed in Nebraska. It has occupied this site since 1860.

The congregation was first served by Reverend Henry W. Kuhns, a missionary sent by the Allegheny Synod to Nebraska Territory. Kuhns preached his first sermon in the front room of the Bates House (hotel) in November 1850 and formally organized the church on July 22, 1859.

The membership immediately made plans for building, but their effort of moving an abandoned store from the abandoned town of Pacific City was frustrated when the structure was destroyed by a prairie fire while being moved to Dakota City.

This church was designed and built by Augustus T. Haase, a local carpenter and member of the Emmanuel Lutheran congregation, at a cost of $2,000. For several years the building also served periodically as a Territorial courthouse, with religious services being held on Sunday as usual. Samuel Aughey, a leading scientist of the period, was the second pastor to serve the church.

This old church still stands as a monument to the steadfastness of purpose of the early settler and as a symbol of pioneer religious life."

The church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.
Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 01/01/1860

Age of Church building determined by?: Historical Society

If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Lutheran

Street address of Church:
1500 Hickory St.
Dakota City, NE USA
68731


Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link]

Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link]

If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: Not listed

If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Not listed

Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: Not Listed

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wildernessmama visited Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Dakota City, NE 03/13/2012 wildernessmama visited it