Emanuel: God is with us
As more settlers found spiritual needs action was taken on Feb. 6, 1879, following a divine service at the home of Edward Kiecker Sr to form an organization known as Evangelical Lutheran Saint Emanuel’s congregation. Church was first conducted by a Lutheran Pastor from the New Auburn area names Rev. Henry Albrecht. He preached for the next year and a half, then was replaced by Pastor J. Vollmar. Services were conducted in members’ homes.
In Dec. 1880, a new calling was in place for a pastor and his name was Pastor John Grabarkewitz. The church parsonage was built in 1880 one mile west of the location now. In 1881 the congregation was incorporated. In 1883 the congregation affiliated itself with the Minnesota Synod which later became part of the present-day Wisconsin Synod.
In 1883 a new location of the church and parsonage was purchased since the church was growing. Feb 1884, Emanuel sent a call to Pastor C.F. Hilpert. He served for 18 years and in 1890 he organized St. John’s in Fairfax. In 1889 a new church was built which started in May and ended in the following summer. In 1892 the steeple tower was designed to carry a set of bells, which was filled in 1901 with 2 bells. Pastor Julius Engel started preaching in 1902 after being installed on the 10th Sunday after Trinity; his pastorate lasted just short of 10 years.
In late June of 1912, a call was issued to Pastor E.G. Fritz. He had the longest pastorate at Emanuel of 36 years. During the first two years of his ministry, two major additions were made to the church. The first was the installation of a used pipe organ. The second major improvement to the church was the completion of a 12×16 foot addition to the east end of the church.
In July 1948, Pastor G.F. Zimmermann was installed in an English Language service. Pastor Zimmermann received a call in 1957. Pastor Martin Lemke was installed on Nov. 17, 1957. Pastor Lemke left in 1967. Pastor Erling Carmichael was installed in 1968. He preached until 1975. Pastor Victor Starbuck was installed early spring of 1976. Pastor Ruppel was here from 1982-1986 then was replaced by Pastor Bundy from 1988-1995. Pastor Doletzky preached from 1996-2001 and Pastor Matthew Kuske which was here for the 125th Anniversary service and he served until 2008. Kuske left in July 2008 and the vacancy pastor position was filled by Pastor Strand until July 2009 when Pastor Scott Muske received the call for Emanuel and St. John’s in Fairfax. He pastored until August 2020. The church had a vacancy until Pastor Jesse DeDeyne accepted the call in December 2022.