Immanuel United Church of Christ celebrates 150th anniversary

By Cheyenne Thomas The sanctuary was crowded on the afternoon of July 20 as past and present members of Immanuel United Church of Christ of Greenwood gathered together to celebrate the church’s 150th anniversary. Through the open doors of the church, one could hear the congregation singing hymns of praise as the members joyfully took part in the service where they reunited with old friends, reflected on the history of the church and looked to what the future of the church will be.

Immanuel United Church of Christ, located just a little over 4 miles northwest of Greenwood on Century Road, was founded in 1874. Settlers of German descent came to the township of Warner beginning around 1848 to avoid the military service and religious restrictions facing them in their home country at the time, and by 1872, there were enough settlers in the area to begin holding services of a sort together. They would visit each other’s log cabins to sing songs from hymnals and read from the Bible. On Sundays, the people met at the Decker Schoolhouse, where sermons were read by Henry Schwarze.

It was during this time that the people began to seek out an ordained minister to properly give services. In 1873, the people’s prayers were answered when their first minister visited. Rev. C.H. Schoepfle came from La Crosse to the people of the township of Warner and delivered sermons every week in the Decker Schoolhouse. On Jan. 11, 1874, Rev. Schoepfle formally organized the church, with the following members listed as charter members: Henry and Louise Schwarze, Frederick and Charlotte Buker, Henry and Sophie Decker, August and Augusta Bielke, Frederick and Maria Decker, John and Margaret Vollrath, Philip and Louisa Vollrath, Ludwig and Charlotte Noah,Adolph Noah and wife,August Noah and wife, Herman and Christine Schwarze, Gottlieb and Augustine Meinhold, Carl and Minna Meinhold, Ernst Meinhold, Henry and Margaretta Fravert, Peter and Elizabeth Brick, Frederick and Elizabeth Soefker, Henry and Anna Humke, Henry Kern and wife, Peter and Elizabeth Miller, John Schwarze, Heinrich and Amalia Meier, Frederick and Marie Wehrmann, Henry Dimmler and family, William and Maria Reineking, Adam and Magdalena Kippenhan, John Kippenhan and family, Franz and Caroline Abel, Christian and Christine Senf, Christoph and Margareta Kippenhan and William and Minna Toburen.

About a year later, on April 23, 1875, 40 acres of land was purchased from Russel H. Pengfield at $4 per acre, with the stipulation that the land be used only for church and religious purposes. Atwo-story log building was constructed on the site, with the first story serving as a parsonage and the second story as a church and classroom. Acemetery was also plotted that same year, being later named East Cemetery. Louise Charlotte Noah was the first person to be laid to rest there, being buried on May 22, 1876.

In the immediate years that followed, the congregation grew to 30 members and a well and log barn were constructed on the property. The log barn was where the pastor would raise his own cows, as the congregation of the time did not have enough money to pay the pastor’s wages.

The next big change for Immanuel United Church of Christ came in 1910 when construction of a new church building began. This church, completed with a dedication on Sept. 25, 1910, is the same church that stands today. The church cost $6,989.02 and was completely paid for by the time the church was dedicated. At the time of the dedication, the church had 200 confirmed members and 148 unconfirmed members.

Since that time, Immanuel United Church of Christ has gone through several other changes that have affected worship. Up until 1939, all services at the church were in German, and all records kept at the church were also recorded in the German language. In 1939, English was adopted as the official language of the congregation and German services began to be transitioned out. Minutes and church records also began to be recorded in English. The interior of the church has been redecorated several times over the years and the church bell was removed from the steeple of the church to a separate tower around 1974 to protect the building’s foundation from further damage caused by bell ringing.

Today, the church has become smaller, with 60 active members. Many more came out to the anniversary service, as former members and even former pastors returned to reminisce about the years spent worshiping together at the church.

“It’s not just a church, it is a sacred place,” said Rev. Mark Schwinn, who was pastor at Immanuel United Church of Christ for 10 years. “It’s family. When I first came here, I had just come out of seminary; they took a chance on me and the taught me everything I know and were gracious about it.”

“It’s nice to see so many members that I haven’t seen for a long time,” said Rev. Asafa Rajaofera, who was the last full-time pastor of the church. “It’s nice to be able to come together and worship. Just being together and celebrating 150 years of God’s goodness.”

CHEYENNE THOMAS/STAFF PHOTOS