Did you know

Here are some of the "Did You Know...?" posts in the bulletins from June 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026

DID YOU KNOW...

... the first known meeting of what would become Immanuel Lutheran Church met on June 2, 1901 in the home of John and Anna Sammetinger at 918 S. Central Street. The service was led by Rev. Frank A. Kiess, pastor of St. John, Wapakoneta.
... the designation for a 125th Anniversary year is Quasquicentennial? (Pronounced: kwos-kwi-sen-TEN-ee-uhl)
... from 1901 - 1911 the church was commonly referred to as "The Lima Mission". The official naming of the congregation wouldn't take place until 1911.
... in 1902, having outgrown meeting in members homes over the previous year, a meeting hall was rented on the NW corner of South Central & East 2nd Street from the Buelah Mission Rooms. Today that location stands vacant.
... the first called pastor to Immanuel was Rev. Richard Brenner. He was ordained and installed as pastor of the "Lima Mission" in August 1902. Rev. Frank Kiess, pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church, Pusheta Township, led worship services every other week in members homes from June 2,1901 until 1902 with the help of Rev. E. W. Paul and the Rev. G. Kock.
... the cornerstone of the first church structure, a simple frame chapel, was laid on July 10, 1904 at the corner of Kibby & Jackson Streets. This building would be used until 1913 when a more permanent church was built. The original frame chapel structure was moved to the back of the lot on Kibby & Jackson Streets and used for meetings, gatherings, and storage.
... on January 22, 1911 Immanuel adopted its first constitution and bylaws. It was written in German and we possess the original writing of the document. A translation of the constitution into English was provided by Rev. Arthur Bay and Professor C.J. Gruenbaum, a charter member of the congregation.
the original name of Immanuel was "The German Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel Church" (German: Deutsch Evangelisch Lutheraner Immanuel Kirche)
... Rev. Neil Carlson was ordained into the Office of the Holy Ministry on October 15, 2011 at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Racine, WI. He also served Redeemer Lutheran Church in Racine. Since January 2016, Rev. Carlson has been serving Trinity/Zion Lutheran Churches in Sidney/Chappell, NE.
... the early charter members of Immanuel were: John L. Sammetinger, Louis Christman, Charles Knerr and John B. Schlegel. Those signing the articles of Incorporation with the state of Ohio on February 18, 1911 were: Professor C.J. Gruenbaum, Louis Christmann, John Schlegel, John Braun, Charles Knerr.
... the first recorded baptism of Immanuel was on November 23, 1902? (Cloyd Clayton Kyle) While some histories of Immanuel mention a baptism in 1901, this can not be verified.
... the first recorded confirmation class of Immanuel was on March 31, 1903 (included adults and youth). From 1903 until 1916 catechetical instruction was in German only. The first confirmands taught only in English were confirmed on March 29, 1916 (2 adults).
... the last year for catechetical instruction in German was in 1916 (there were 2 classes that year: one English, one German). 1928 marked the first year when only youth were in the confirmation class (from 1903-1928 youth and adults were in the classes).
... the first recorded wedding at Immanuel was on June 7, 1904 (Henry W. Eisenhut & Malinda Louise Roettger). The Eisenhuts were married for 49 years until Henry's death in 1953 at the age of 73. Malinda survived until 1974 (age 89) They had 5 children and 9 grandchildren. Their last grandchild died in 2020.
... the first recorded funeral of Immanuel was on January 6, 1902. (Andreas [Andrew] Walter Commerson died at the age of 7.) He was the son of Lewis Commerson and Lena (nee Brown). The Commerson's had 9 children. Andreas was their 6th child.
... the dedication of a new church building on Kibby and Jackson Streets took place on March 29, 1913. This replaced the former simple frame chapel that had been built on that location in 1904.
... on December 7, 1936, a vote was taken to change the name of the congregation from the German Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel Church to Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church. That new name was solidified in July 1937 when a new constitution and bylaws were adopted. That name would be changed to Immanuel Lutheran Church on January 12, 1958 - or was it? Check out the story at the end of the bulletin more details.
... in 1947 property at Lakewood and Pears was purchased to construct a parsonage (which was located approximately where the canopy entrance is today). The current church would not be built for another decade.
... there have been 14 pastors Called to serve at Immanuel (Brenner, Siebert, Weber, Bay, Trautman, Lochner, Albrecht, Dohrmann, Frisch, Single, Bush, Georgi, Childs, Phillips). Of the 14 pastors of Immanuel, only two are living. (Georgi, Phillips)
... Rev. Steven Resner served his vicarage (seminary student internship) at Immanuel from December 1989 through November 1990 and that he served as Rev. Neil Carlson's vicarage supervisor while pastor at Calvary Lutheran Church, Plymouth, IN? (specific to 10/12/25)
... Ralph Bickel served as a Called Director of Christian Education (DCE) at Immanuel from September 1967 until July 1972? On September 6, 1967, Mr. Bickel was called to serve at Immanuel as a Director of Christian Education (DCE). Mr. Bickel served until July 9, 1972 when he accepted a Call to serve as principal of Advent Lutheran Church, Boca Raton, FL. Mr. Bickel was instrumental in his service as the congregation was without a pastor, and extended 8 pastoral Calls before Rev. Bush was installed as pastor on August 30, 1970.
... there have been 5 vicars (pastoral intern students) at Immanuel? (Larry Davis, Steven Resner, Michael Phillips, Ted Andrada, Dennis Shepherd). Phillips and Andrada are currently serving as pastors in the LCMS.
... there have been 7 members or former members of the congregation who have entered the pastoral ministry (Albert Schlegel…, Steve "Scott" Stallings, Dennis Walker, Michael Kessler, Larry Wright, James Childs and Neil Carlson) - Kessler and Carlson are still serving congregations in the LCMS.
... the longest serving pastor of Immanuel is Pastor Phillips at 30 years. Rev. Gary Childs served the second longest at 16 years and Rev. Albrecht at 15 years. The shortest time of service as pastor was Rev. Eugene Lochner at a little over 2 years.
the cornerstone for the current church was laid in the Spring of 1956. The church was completed for worship on August 6, 1956. On that day a worship service was held at the Kibby and Jackson Street church in the early morning and continued at the Lakewood & Pears church in the late morning.
since there was no Called pastor at Immanuel when the Lakewood & Pears church was completed in August 1957, the formal dedication of the church did not take place until December 8, 1957 after Pastor Single was installed on November 17, 1957.
... in September 1959, the congregation began a kindergarten. The kindergarten operated for a few years and was then changed to an Early Childhood Education program (pre-school). The Early Childhood Education program was discontinued in August 1981.
... in December 1964, the congregation purchased 20 acres of land on the SE corner of W. Elm and Serif Road for the purpose of building a new church and possible education facility. The parsonage and church at Lakewood & Pears were listed for sale in February 1965.
... Rev. Single was elected as 1st Vice President of the Central District and then elected as President of the newly formed Ohio District in 1966. Rev. Ottomar Krueger had been the Central District President and assumed the office of President of the Ohio District President when it was formed in 1962. Rev. Single was the 1st duly elected President under the Constitution (formerly Code of Regulations) of the Ohio District.
... because of persistent eyesight problems, Rev. Single resigned as Ohio District President in February, 1969 a year before his term of office was complete. Later that year in May, 1969, Rev. Single resigned as Pastor of Immanuel.
... on June 26, 1983, the voters assembly authorized the purchase of the home to the east of the parsonage/annex for possible future expansion. That home was approximately where the storm drain is located toward the east side of the parking lot. The current east entrance to parking lot served as a dual driveway to that house and another located where the east parking spaces are located.
... on April 13, 1986, the voters assembly authorized the building of and addition to the church which would be called "The New Life Addition" - today's fellowship hall, which was dedicated on December 9, 1987.
... on August 10, 1986, the property at 1717 Wendell Ave was purchased as a temporary office location while the current offices were constructed. The home served as not only an office, but also house 4 vicars and Pastor Phillips when he was installed as Associate Pastor on July 5, 1995. The home was razed on May 27, 2003.
... on August 21, 1989, the property at W. Elm and Serif Road was sold, ending a 25 year ownership of the property.
... on August 30, 2000, Immanuel began a kindergarten, with the hopes of adding an additional grade each year. Unfortunately, due to poor enrollment, the school was closed. The final day of Kindergarten/ 1st grade class was on May 30, 2002.
... on December 5, 2001, the house/property at 2108 Lakewood Ave was purchased for future expansion. The house was where the eastern most parking spaces are located. The house was razed on May 28, 2003.
... on May 24, 2002, the first deposit was made into the Endowment Fund of Immanuel which had been established in November 2001.
... on October 1, 2002, the house/property at 1725 Wendell Avenue was purchase to provide a parsonage for Pastor and Amy Phillips who were expecting their first child in 3 months (that would be Noah). A move party was held as items from the 1717 Wendell parsonage were moved '2 doors down', to the new parsonage.
... the original kitchen at Lakewood & Pears was located where the upper level women's bathroom is currently located.
... the current sanctuary was remodeled in 1992? The congregation met for worship in the fellowship hall during the remodeling.
... that Pastor Childs worked in the insurance industry as an actuary before becoming a pastor?
... that Pastor Phillips completed his vicarage (seminary student internship) at Immanuel from December 1990 - November 1991?
... the Endowment Fund of Immanuel was authorized by the voters assembly on November 18, 2001. The first deposit of $7,505.67 was made on May 24, 2002. Today the Fund has a balance of over $644,000 as of December 31, 2026 and an unaudited balance of $670,664 on March 18, 2026?
... the fellowship hall, originally called the "New Life Addition", was completed in November 1987. The dedication service took place on Sunday, December 6, 1987 with then Ohio District President, Rev. Paul Weber preaching at the service.
...the drive through canopy was completed on July 6, 2005 at a cost of $63,000. The project included repaving of the entire parking lot.
....due to severe structural damage, the historic bell tower of Immanuel was dismantled in March 2019.
... the Allen Organ in use at Immanuel was purchased in 1998 at a cost of $38,950. It was dedicated and first used on Saturday, September 19, 1998.
... Rev. Michael Kessler, who serves as preacher today (4/26/26), was a member of Immanuel from 1978 - 2001 and that he has served in three capacities since being ordained on September 9, 2001?
... Immanuel's first website was developed in November 1999? Today we have online presence with a website, on Facebook, and YouTube and for the past 27 years the church's e-mail address has been [email protected]?
... on January 12, 2014 we began using a "virtual organ" provided by Church Music Solutions for all of the worship services at Immanuel and that for the first 30 services the original Organ Technician was Noah Phillips at age 11?
... the due to declining enrollment, attendance, and lack of teachers, the Sunday School of Immanuel was discontinued on July 26, 2015?
... during the COVID-19 outbreak, Immanuel did not meet for in person worship for 10 weeks (from March 29 - May 31, 2020)?

Immanuel Lutheran Church
2120 Lakewood Ave.
Lima, OH 45805

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Immanuel Lutheran Church2120 Lakewood Ave.Lima, OH 45805

Office Hours

Office Phone

Office Email

Immanuel Lutheran Church
2120 Lakewood Ave.
Lima, OH 45805