A history of the church from the church website:
In the Fall of 1870, five Lutherans of Van Wert, Ohio, together with Pastor F. Oestermeyer of the Lutheran Church in Harrison Township, gathered at the John G. Rupright residence on the corner of Cherry Street and Central Avenue, and organized a German Lutheran Congregation. The Charter Members were: John G. Rupright, Gottlieb Eirich, George Dasher, Sebastian Eli, and Philip H. Anschutz.
For nearly two years worship services were conducted in Swineford Hall, above Webster’s Drug Store, later known as Wilson & Girod Hardware Store, located on the Southwest Corner of S. Washington Avenue and West Main Street, with preaching every two weeks by Pastor Oestermeyer, and later by Pastor G. Gruber, both of whom were from the Lutheran Church in Harrison Township.
On July 1, 1872, the congregation resolved to purchase a lot on which to build a Sanctuary. Immediately the members set to work, the necessary money was raised, and on August 19, 1972, another meeting was held in which the construction of the proposed church was definitely decided. John G. Rupright, George Dasher, and C. Winkler were elected to function as a Building Committee. Four months later the construction of the church was completed, and on December 29, 1872, it was dedicated to the Glory of the Triune God for the preaching and teaching of God’s Word and the administration of the Sacraments. Two services were conducted in which Pastors G. Gruber and B. Schuum delivered sermons.
Emmanuel Congregation soon joined the Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other States, presently known as The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), being accepted into the Synod August 5, 1874, while the Synod was in session at Cleveland, Ohio. In the summer of 1882, an addition was constructed at the rear of the church building which was to be used as a school-room. Regular school was held at this time and a large number of children attended. In the summer of 1895, the entire building was moved back and the church proper was enlarged to seat one hundred fifty people.
In 1897, eight members living in Union Township received a peaceful dismissal from the congregation, organizing Zion’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, later moved to Convoy, Ohio.
In the Spring of 1906, a resolution was passed to purchase a residence on the corner of Maple and Taylor to be used as a parsonage.
In 1936, under the leadership of Pastor H. Kramer, a movement was instituted for new location and a new House of Worship. In 1938, a committee was appointed by the pastor to serve with him in the acquisition of a building site.
By the end of 1941, the sum of $3,200.00 had been gathered in the Church Building Fund and The Ladies Aid Building Fund.
In August 1942, under the leadership of Pastor W.H. Moeller, a building site on the corner of S. Washington and Boyd Avenue was purchased for the sum of $7,200.00.
Mr. J. Adam Fichter prepared floor plans for the new church; however, because of World War II construction could not be initiated. In December 1942, applications for a loan in the amount of $20,000.00 were made with both the Central District of the Synod and the General Extension Boards. Both loans were approved. With construction at a stand-still, the congregation applied itself diligently toward the raising of funds. When the congregation celebrated its 75th Anniversary in 1945, the Building Fun, consisting of cash and Government Bonds, stood at $28,025.00.
In May of 1945, the original Building Committee consisting of Byron F. Blanke, J.J. Black, Arthur Kissel, Herman Lahram, Fred Wild, Jacob Brehm, Noel Pease, and Church Trutees as Advisory Members (Victor German, Oliver Perry, Dan Dowler), was augmented, and Mr. Hugo C. Haeuser of Milwaukee, Wisconsin was engaged to prepare plans for the new Church Building.
Ground was broken March 8, 1948, and excavation of the site was begun the following day. On July 11, 1948, the cornerstone was laid. The Sanctuary, together with the attached Parsonage, built by Mr. Robert Scott of Sherwood, Ohio, at an approximate cost of $160,000 (Semi-Gothic Style; 200 tons of Lannon Stone from Wisconsin), was dedicated August 14, 1949.
In the Spring of 1970, a Baldwin Organ was purchased and dedicated.
A special 100th Anniversary Celebration was held in the Autumn of 1970, with Pastors H. Kramer, W. Moeller, and C.H. Matthias returning to Van Wert as Jubiliee Speakers.
Ground was broken for the Pastor C.H. Matthias Memorial Annex Sunday Morning, July 5, 1981.
Construction by the Alexander & Bebout Company of Van Wert was completed in December of 1981, at an approximate cost of $75,000.
In addition to the Annex, extensive renovating, refurbishing, and remodeling of the physical plant has been undertaken since the summer of 1979.
We give all Glory to God and take this opportunity to express our heartfelt thanks to the membership of Emmanuel Church for making this possible.
Members of the Building Committee are: Pastor H.K. Dietrick, Jr. (Ex-Officio), Glen Rager, Chairman, Maurice Dowler, Richard Jackson, Maurice Miller, Milton Schumm, Karl Laemmle, Searle Taylor, William Schroeder, Frank Kaduk, and Byron Blanke (Honorary Member), the only surviving lay-member of the original Building Committee.
Prepared in Spring of 1982
By Pastor H.K. Dietrick, Jr.
Pastors Who Have Served At Emmanuel Lutheran Church
G. Gruber 1870-1872
F. Oestermeyer 1872-1881
E. Jehn 1881-1882
F. Franke 1882-1883 (Supply Candidate)
F. Zagel 1884-1887
E. Sitzman 1888-1890
C. Strasen 1890-1891
H. Siegert 1891-1892 (Student of Theology)
J. Klausing 1892-1894 (Supply Candidate)
H.M. Zorn 1894-1898
J. Lindemeyer 1898-1902
S. Hoffmann 1902-1906
E.H. Reuter 1906-1911
H. Oesterhus 1911-1920
W. Henkel 1920-1923 (Died in Office)
E. Zucker 1923-1928
Theodore Bergen 1929-1935
H. Kramer 1935-1942
W.H. Moeller 1942-1954
C.H. Matthias 1954-1963
Herbert G. Walther 1964-1970
Lloyd E. Gross 1971-1978
This information was obtained from (
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H.K. Dietrich, Jr. 1979-