History of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Lebanon

Seeking freedom of religion, Lutherans of Pomerania and Brandenburg, Germany emigrated to America. On June 20, 1843, a ship carrying 150 Lutherans left the port of Homburg, and after a stormy voyage of seven weeks, reached New York. They continued towards the Midwest and arrived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on September 6th. They eventually settled in the townships of Lebanon and Ixonia.

The settlers had their services, at the home of John Korth, held by laymen. One year later, on November 24th, 1844, Reverend Carl Ludwig Geyer became the first pastor of Immanuel. At that time, about 30 families belonged to the congregation.

Eighty acres of land were bought for $100.00. Of these 80 acres, 17 are left today. On this land, the congregation erected a log church and parsonage under one roof. Knowing that their Christian duty was to give their children thorough instruction in God's Word, they called Mr. Edman Pankow to be their teacher. By 1860, approximately 130 families were members.

After 16 years of service, Reverand Geyer accepted a call to Carlinville, Illinois, and his successor Pastor George Link was installed on October 31, 1860. On November 25th of the same year, the congregation decided to build a new church, 55 x 35', with steeple and balcony, and the laying of the cornerstone took place on June 9, 1861.

One year later a new parsonage was built, and in 1863, a new schoolhouse was erected three miles north of the church. Pastor Link served the congregation until the latter part of 1873, when he moved to St. Louis, Missouri. Reverand Heinrich Allwardt from Crystal Lake, Wisconsin was called and installed on New Year’s Day, 1874. Pastor Allwardt served the congregation of Immanuel for 36 years.

At the annual meeting the attention of the congregation was called to defects in the church building which would have to receive attention. The suggestion was made to build a new church, and it was decided to start building operations the following spring. The cornerstone was laid May 24th, 1925, and on October 25th the same year the new church was dedicated.

In 1992, an elevator was added to the church to make it accessible to the disabled and in the lot to the south of the parsonage, the fellowship Hall which houses a gym, kitchen, and meeting rooms, was built.

The following pastors have served Immanuel:

  • Reverend Carl Ludwig Geyer (1844-1860)

  • Reverend George Link (1860-1873)

  • Reverend Heinrich Allwardt (1874-1920)

  • Reverend William Lange (1910-1937)

  • Reverend Ferdinand Bloede (1937-1944)

  • Reverend George Diemer (1944-1965)

  • Reverend James Janke (1965-1967)

  • Reverend Alfred Wittmann (1968-1985)

  • Reverend Arthur Kentopp (1986-1993)

  • Reverend Milo Ken Anderson, Interim (1993-1994)

  • Reverend James O’Reilly-Christensen (1994-2009)

  • Reverend Reinhold Markwart, Interim (2009-2010)

  • Reverend Roy Harrisville Interim (2011)

  • Reverend David Phillips (2011-2020)

  • Reverend Mark Knappe, Interim (2020-2021)

  • Reverend Daniel Repp (2021-present)