This file portion of www.watertownhistory.org website
Immanuel Evangelical
Lutheran Church
1889
Fred Merkle baptized at Immanuel on New Year’s
Day, 1889. Son of Ernst and Amalia (Thielman)
Merkle. Ernst taught at the Immanuel School from 1884-1889.
1905
08 03 The beautiful spire on the Immanuel
Lutheran church on North Ninth Street was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies. Addresses were made by Rev. N. Hahuemann of
Farmington, Zimmerman of Johnson Creek and H. Hoerig of Menomonee. It is a very symmetrical and adds much to the
beauty of the church. Church spires are
always better than police stations for they direct the attention of men upward.
WDT
1908
06 11 Convention
of WI district of Lutheran Synod of Iowa held at Immanuel WLeader
1956
07 06 Watertown's Immanuel Lutheran Church
has named a new pastor. He is the Rev.
A. S. Christensen, present pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church in Reedsburg,
Wis. The Rev. Mr. Christensen and his family will come to Watertown on Aug. 1,
according to present plans and installation ceremonies are to be announced at a
later date WDT
1959
02 25 Special
course on the Hebrew Bible; Rev. A. S. Christensen to take part in WDT
1983
10 30 Construction of a school discussed by
Watertown Planning Commission WDT
2000, 11 03
Watertown Daily Times
Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, corner of Ninth and Jones streets,
will formally rededicate its worship area this weekend following a 4 1/2 month
interior and exterior construction project. The project included a
handicap accessible entrance, new heating and air conditioning systems, and an
enlarged balcony.
The pews, altar, pulpit and lectern have been refinished. The chancel
area has been thrust out into the sanctuary, enabling congregational members to
kneel at the communion rail without having to climb steps.
Immanuel Church has been a leader in service to the community for 125
years.
On Jan. 24, 1875, nine people, eight men and one woman, formed what was
then known as the German Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel's Congregation of
Watertown and Community. Today the church is known as Immanuel Evangelical
Lutheran Church.
Before the end of 1875, Immanuel's membership had risen to 28
individuals. The group met in homes and then bought a parsonage. They rented
the Welsh Church to hold worship services, and the parsonage did double duty as
a school house.
The
congregation, associated with the Iowa Synod, grew and on Oct. 29, 1876, the
first church building was dedicated. This building was much loved by its
members. It was a brick church of moderate dimensions. There was a plain altar
table and above, like a swallow's nest on the wall, hung the pulpit. To
the right and left of the entrance stood the indispensable stoves that
stretched their black piles like arms along the ceiling through the entire
church.
The first organ was purchased in 1889 and an 18-foot addition with altar
niche, sacristy and two side balconies were built. New pews replaced the old.
In 1902, the stoves were replaced by a furnace and kerosene lamps made
way for modern gas lights in 1904. In 1905, a tower was built and colored
windows took the place of the old plain windows.
The congregation continued to grow and have dreams. Many members
still remember scraping and piling old bricks for use in the new church.
The present church building was dedicated on June 13, 1954. It is Gothic
in style, and built of Lannon stone. In 1963 the stained glass windows were
installed and a Charles Hendrickson pipe organ was installed in 1993.
In 1985, the school house was tom down and an education wing was added.
Click upon
to enlarge
School was
next to Church, WHS_005_458
Cross-References:
No 1: Immanuel Lutheran Church History,
1875-2000 (pdf file)
