Our Story | We Rejoice with Thanksgiving
125 years of God's grace to Emanuel Lutheran Church
Settlers (1817-1893)
Lutherans on the Banks of the Wolf River
Emanuel Lutheran Church's story begins before its official incorporation in 1893. Our spiritual lineage stretches back nearly two millennia to the resurrection of Christ and the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. As Lutherans, we trace our institutional roots to the Reformation, ignited in October 1517. While we celebrate the Reformation's 500th anniversary, our immediate history is tied to the period leading up to its 300th anniversary in 1817. Religious tensions in Europe compelled many Lutherans, particularly from Germany, to seek new lives elsewhere. The promise of land and opportunity drew them to America, especially the burgeoning Midwest, and specifically to the northern reaches of the Wisconsin Territory. Wisconsin achieved statehood in 1848, and just six years later, in 1854, the city of New London arose on the banks of the Wolf River. Among its earliest settlers were Lutheran Christians, who carried with them their Bibles, hymnals, and catechisms—the spiritual sustenance they needed—but lacked established pastors and churches.
Walking Together with Missouri and Wisconsin
By 1857, these Lutherans had established a foothold on land purchased by Henry Ziehlsdorf, located at the corner of South Pearl and Warren Streets. However, the desire for organized worship necessitated a pastor and affiliation with a synod, or church body. While some Lutheran churches on the East Coast and in Europe were embracing "unionist" theological ideas—a factor that had driven their migration from Germany—two more conservative synods had emerged in the Midwest: the Missouri Synod (founded in 1847) and the Wisconsin Synod (founded in Milwaukee in 1849). Both were eager to serve the fledgling community in New London. The Missouri Synod sent Pastor Martin Stephan from Oshkosh, while the Wisconsin Synod dispatched Pastor Gottlieb Fachtmann from Fond du Lac. Fachtmann's journal entry from September 1, 1857, reveals his observation of a profound spiritual hunger in New London and nearby Hortonville, noting a "vast field of work" for one or two preachers from their synod.
Two Congregations become One
The establishment of a Lutheran presence in New London was not a seamless process. Fachtmann and Stephan encountered difficulties in determining which synod would assume leadership in the area. This tension escalated in 1859 with the arrival of Stephan's successor. Disagreements over the New London church site led to a schism, resulting in the formation of a second Lutheran congregation, St. John's, under the exclusive leadership of the Missouri Synod, in June of that year. The original church, aligned with the Wisconsin Synod, became known as St. Paul's Church in 1862. By 1867, New London had two Lutheran congregations, a testament to the challenges of early settlement and the 50 years that had passed since the initial Lutheran migrations from Germany had begun. Over the next quarter-century, however, the wisdom of consolidating these two congregations into one became increasingly apparent.
St. Paul's congregation, having outgrown its initial building, purchased land at the corner of Lawrence and Quincy streets by 1873. Here, they erected a new church building, complete with an impressive 120-foot steeple, which was dedicated to the glory of God. While the concept of merging the two congregations took root, it would be another two decades before it came to fruition. Finally, on September 10, 1893, in a joint congregational meeting held at St. Paul's, the voting members of both congregations formally agreed to unite. St. Paul's Church became the primary worship space, while the St. John's building transitioned into use as the church school and parsonage.
A period of transition followed. The pastors of both former congregations preached on alternate Sundays until a new pastor could be installed, new congregational leaders elected, and a unifying name chosen. Rather than retaining the name of either St. Paul's or St. John's, the congregations adopted the name Emanuel, meaning "God with us." This name served as a powerful reminder of God's abiding presence and providential care throughout the 34 years since the first Lutherans had settled in New London. Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church was officially incorporated on September 24, 1893, marking a new chapter and instilling a sense of divine assurance as the newly united congregation looked toward the future.
Founders (1893-1918)
Founding Pastor
With the unification of New London's Lutherans complete, the newly formed Emanuel congregation needed a spiritual leader. The Synodical Conference, comprised of representatives from both the Missouri and Wisconsin Synods, took on the task of finding suitable candidates. The process was straightforward: whichever synod's candidate accepted the call would provide the leadership for Emanuel. The initial call went to a Missouri Synod candidate, who declined. The second call was extended to Adolf Spiering, a Wisconsin Synod pastor then serving in Manchester, Wisconsin. Spiering accepted, definitively establishing Emanuel's affiliation with the Wisconsin Synod.
Founding Efforts
Spiering's ministry was marked by significant growth, fueled by his energetic evangelism and the continuing influx of German immigrants. While precise membership records from this era are unavailable, it is estimated that the newly merged congregation numbered between 300 and 350 communicant members. Remarkably, the day after his installation, Spiering inaugurated a school in the former St. John's building, with an initial enrollment of 48 students. For the first few years, Spiering served as the sole teacher. However, the student body rapidly expanded. Within four years, enrollment had soared to 126, necessitating two classrooms—one for 72 students and another for 54. The growing student population required additional teachers, and Eduard Gleichmann joined the faculty in 1894, followed by Augusta Noetzel in 1896. The congregation recognized this burgeoning growth as a clear indication of God's abundant grace being poured out upon them. By 1899, the need for a larger and more dedicated school building became apparent, and a new school was constructed and dedicated near the close of the decade and century.
First Milestones
In 1903, Emanuel celebrated its first decade of ministry with a special service, highlighted by the dedication of a new organ, intended "to make glorious music to the Lord." Yet, even amidst these celebrations, the practical challenges of shepherding a growing congregation became increasingly evident. Church leaders were tasked with carefully managing the congregation's finances and resources. Furthermore, legal issues surrounding the church's property required resolution; Spiering later characterized a 1914 property dispute as a "border war," reflecting the lingering tensions from the earlier congregational division. Despite these challenges, Emanuel was steadily gaining recognition as a leading congregation within the still-young Wisconsin Synod. By 1918, as the congregation observed its 25th anniversary, the newly organized Northern District of the Wisconsin Synod was established, further solidifying Emanuel's place within the larger church body. In his anniversary sermon, Spiering reflected on how the long-held aspirations of the local Lutheran community had finally been realized. They now had the blessing of worshipping together in one church, hearing God's Word proclaimed from one pulpit, partaking in Holy Communion at one altar, baptizing their children at one font, and educating their children in one parochial school—all by the grace of God.
A New Building
After a quarter-century of God's steadfast grace, Emanuel Lutheran Church entered a new phase of ministry. A younger generation was beginning to assume leadership roles within the congregation. While the source of God's grace remained constant, the congregation recognized the pressing need for a new and more spacious church building. In 1918, the congregation voted to move forward with this ambitious project, with construction slated to begin in January 1920. This undertaking required a substantial fundraising effort, which included the traditional methods of offering plates and envelopes, as well as a more personal approach involving visits to members' homes by congregational leaders to solicit pledges.
By April 1920, these efforts had yielded $43,000 in pledges, and a building committee, comprised of Henry Fuerst, William Krueger, and Carl Voss, was elected to oversee the construction. The first order of business was the demolition of the existing church building, with the notable exception of the 1903 organ, which was carefully salvaged for reuse. The towering 120-foot steeple of St. Paul's, a landmark since 1873, was also taken down.
The design for the new church building was entrusted to V. Thomas, and bids for the project were opened on the Tuesday following Easter in 1921. The contract, for a total cost of $72,000, was awarded to a local firm, Frank Shoenrock and Sons, which was owned and operated by members of the congregation. On April 18, 1921, the 400th anniversary of Martin Luther's courageous confession at the Diet of Worms, ground was broken for the new church building. Three months later, on July 23, Pastor Spiering, joined by Pastors Max Hensel and G. Boettcher, laid the cornerstone, symbolically marking the foundation of this new sanctuary. The new church, complete with a new organ and updated furnishings, was dedicated on February 12, 1922. The dedication service was a significant event, featuring sermons in both German and English by Seminary President August Pieper and Synod President Gustav Bergman, reflecting the bilingual nature of the congregation at that time.
A New Pastor
The work of teaching, leading, and providing pastoral care for a large and growing congregation demanded considerable effort. Emanuel Lutheran Church recognized this and continued to call new individuals to serve. By 1929, the church school boasted a faculty of over 20 teachers. That same year brought two individuals who would become pillars of the church and school for many years to come. The first was Bernhard Boese, a 1929 graduate of Dr. Martin Luther College, who embarked on a 44-year career serving as principal, teacher, choir director, and organist. The second significant arrival in 1929 was Pastor Walter Pankow, who was installed on December 12.
Pankow's arrival marked a transition in pastoral leadership, as he took over the ministry following Pastor Spiering's resignation due to declining health. Spiering's ministry had spanned an impressive 36 years, a period of significant growth and consolidation for Emanuel. He passed away on August 23, 1932, in Des Moines, Iowa. His funeral at Emanuel drew a large crowd, a testament to his impact on the community, and he was laid to rest in Floral Hill Cemetery.
New Challenges
Under the grace of God and the leadership of Pastor Pankow, Emanuel Lutheran Church entered a new era in December 1929 and continued to experience growth. In 1927, the congregation adopted a new constitution, a significant change that stipulated the pastor would no longer serve as the congregation's president. Otto Pribnow became the first lay president, serving from 1927 to 1944. While relieved of the administrative duties of president, Pankow still faced significant challenges. One of the most pressing was the language transition. German remained the dominant language in many homes, but English was becoming increasingly prevalent in schools and broader society. The congregation wrestled with the question of which language should be used in worship services. In 1930, a compromise was reached: both English and German services would be offered every Sunday.
The congregation also faced the economic hardships of the Great Depression. Despite these financial pressures, the members of Emanuel maintained their trust in God's grace and continued to support the church's mission. In 1931, the congregation celebrated the 10th anniversary of the sanctuary's dedication. During the anniversary service, members brought their change banks and deposited the contents into a scaled-down model of the church, resulting in an impressive offering of $7,000.
As Emanuel continued to grow, the need for additional pastoral staff became apparent. In 1933, the congregation called Reverend Harold Backer as an assistant pastor. Backer also served as a teacher for grades five and six in the school, making Emanuel the first congregation in the Wisconsin Synod to have a double pastorate. The nation then faced a new challenge with the outbreak of World War II. Amidst this global conflict, the members of Emanuel celebrated the congregation's 50th anniversary on September 12, 1943, a time for reflection on God's abundant grace throughout the church's history.
Boomers (1943-1968)
Expansion of the School
After 50 years of God's grace, Emanuel Lutheran Church had become the largest congregation in the Wisconsin Synod. From its humble beginnings of approximately 350 members in 1893, the congregation had grown to 1,600 and continued to expand. With the post-World War II baby boom, the congregation in New London experienced a similar surge in families and children. Plans for school expansion, which had been put on hold during the war, were quickly resumed, and a new building project was approved in 1948. Ground was broken for the new addition on October 1, 1949. On May 7 of the following year, the new wing, containing four classrooms, restrooms, a gymnasium, three renovated classrooms, an office, and a library, was dedicated. The total cost of the project was $225,000, with an additional $7,500 allocated for new playground equipment and spaces. The congregation also purchased lots east and south of the main buildings to accommodate the growing student population. In 1948, the school had an enrollment of 222 students. By 1960, that number had grown to 388.
During this period of expansion, the sanctuary also underwent renovations. In 1954, the sanctuary was repainted, the pews were refinished, and the organ was refurbished. While this work was in progress, services were temporarily held in the new gymnasium. The parsonages also required attention. The parsonage located on Lawrence and Quincy Streets was demolished between 1956 and 1957 and replaced with a new house built on the same foundation. In the same year, the congregation purchased a second parsonage at the corner of Lawrence and Pine.
A Maturing Congregation
In 1946, Pastor Frederick Heidemann was called to serve as an assistant pastor and to teach grades five and six at Emanuel Lutheran Church. He became the congregation's third pastor in 50 years and would continue to serve for nearly 50 more years. The increasing number of young families enrolling children in the school also highlighted the growing need for pastoral care for the elderly members of the congregation. Pastors began serving not only in New London but also at the Outagamie County Home.
As Pastor Pankow's health began to decline, the congregation recognized the need for an associate pastor. In 1964, Pankow was granted a six-month leave of absence for recovery. However, he was called to his eternal rest on July 4, and a large number of people attended his viewing. He was laid to rest in Floral Hill Cemetery, not far from Pastor Spiering.
The Next Generation
Following Pastor Pankow's death, Pastor Heidemann assumed the role of senior pastor, leading a staff that now included not only pastors but also vicars. Several of these vicars would eventually return to serve as full-time pastors at Emanuel. For example, James Behling served as vicar from 1964 to 1965, and John Schewe served as vicar from 1966 to 1967. Both would later become pastors at Emanuel.
Through God’s grace and under Pastor Heidemann's leadership, Emanuel continued to experience significant growth, mirroring the growth it had experienced during his early years of ministry. By 1966, the staff at Emanuel included 13 teachers, two pastors, and a vicar. With such a large and active congregation, it was clear that further expansion would be necessary to adequately serve its needs. In 1967, plans were approved for the addition of four more classrooms, once again requiring the members of Emanuel to place their trust in God's grace.
Reaching (1968-1993)
Preaching God’s Grace
As Emanuel Lutheran Church approached its first century of ministry, the opportunities for sharing God's grace multiplied. The congregation recognized that new approaches and renewed energy would be essential to effectively reach out to the community. In 1968, during the celebrations for the 75th anniversary, former pastors and sons of the congregation returned to preach about the exciting new opportunities that lay ahead. To share the Gospel with as many people as possible, Emanuel embraced new strategies and technologies, from simple additions like closed-circuit television in 1973 to more complex initiatives such as the creation of a strategic plan in 1992. The church's worship life was also enhanced with new instruments, including handbells donated by the Bauer family in 1987 and a new electronic organ purchased in 1992. As the congregation continued to grow, nearing 4,000 members and over 400 students, the focus remained steadfastly on God's grace.
Leading an Expanding Synod
In 1961, theological differences between the Wisconsin and Missouri Synods culminated in the Wisconsin Synod declaring the end of fellowship with the Missouri Synod. In the decades that followed, congregations within the Wisconsin Synod were encouraged to take greater initiative in ministry. Emanuel Lutheran Church exemplified this spirit, achieving several "firsts" within the synod. On January 26, 1975, Emanuel became the first congregation in the Wisconsin Synod to have three pastors when Pastor John Schewe was installed as the second associate pastor. Emanuel also contributed to the Synod’s pastoral training program by providing summer vicar assignments to two of its sons, David Labs and Michael Hins. In July 1977, Emanuel hosted the Synod's first International Youth Rally. Young people from across the United States and Canada gathered for worship, study, and fellowship. By 1979, Emanuel reached another milestone, installing a fourth pastor, Pastor Dwight Villhauer—yet another first for the Wisconsin Synod.
Mission Work Far and Near
As the Wisconsin Synod's work expanded, so did its mission field, and Emanuel Lutheran Church embraced this vital aspect of ministry. In 1978, the congregation held an outdoor mission rally at Hattan Park and established a library to support the work of the Lutheran Women's Missionary Society. Emanuel's connection to the global mission field was strengthened by mission-minded pastors such as Pastor Bruce Marggraf, who served at Emanuel since 1982 before accepting a call to Brazil in 1987, and Pastor Steven Witte, who joined the staff in 1985 and later served the Synod in Hong Kong. At the same time, Emanuel recognized the importance of mission work within its own community. In 1979, a Parent's Education League was established. Student tutoring programs began in 1984, the same year that sign language interpretation was introduced into worship services.
Remaining (1993-2017)
Staffing New Ministry
As Emanuel Lutheran Church entered a new century and millennium, the challenge was to remain steadfast in God's grace. A key consideration was how to effectively staff a large and active congregation to carry out the ongoing work of ministry. As early as January 1993, plans were underway to celebrate the retirement of Pastor Heidemann on February 13, 1994, as his health had begun to decline. The congregation also undertook a process of self-reflection and strategic planning, publishing a direction document in 1993, the first time it had engaged in formal long-range planning. Emanuel also began to staff specific ministry programs by calling dedicated staff ministers. Mr. Ed Krause was the first to be called in 1993, followed by others such as Rachel Huebner, who served as worship coordinator from 1999 to 2001, and Jack Vande Guchte, who was called as Youth and Family Minister in 2006.
Breaking New Ground
As new staff members were added to address the evolving needs of the congregation, Emanuel also began a detailed examination of its properties. In March 2000, the Facilities Study Committee suggested that selling parsonages and other properties could generate resources for the construction of new school and office buildings. Rather than expanding the existing structures, the decision was made to build entirely new facilities. Ground was broken for the new construction on March 18, 2002. The old school buildings remained in use until the end of May, after which classes began in the new buildings, even though the offices and gymnasium were still under construction. The project was completed on schedule for $5.5 million and was dedicated debt-free. The sale of the remaining parsonages coincided with the congregation's renewed focus on its main campus. Ongoing renovation projects, such as the church basement in 2006 and upgrades to the sanctuary's communication equipment in 2007, have contributed to the campus we see today, a testament to God's enduring grace.
Enjoying God’s grace
Throughout its long history, Emanuel Lutheran Church has faced numerous challenges and difficulties. While the congregation welcomed many new staff members, some also departed. Despite building and renovation projects, classroom enrollments and worship attendance experienced periods of decline. There were also internal conflicts and frustrations within the congregation as the voting structure and constitution were reviewed and revised. In 2017, as Lutheran churches worldwide celebrated the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, it was clear that many Christian congregations in the United States were facing similar challenges. Some may have wondered if the peak of God's grace had passed, but there were also signs of continued vitality and mission. For example, Emanuel supported mission work in Grenada, hosted an annual Harvest Fest for the New London community, and adjusted its Sunday service times to better accommodate worship and Bible study for all ages. In 2014, the congregation adopted a new constitution designed to address ministry issues openly and graciously. In 2016, work began on a new vision document to guide the congregation into the future.
Continuing God’s Work (2017-Present)
FORWARD Building Renovation and Expansion Project
In 2024, Emanuel embarked on the FORWARD Building Renovation and Expansion Project, a significant undertaking designed to modernize and expand its facilities. This initiative aims to ensure that the church’s infrastructure meets the evolving needs of the congregation and the wider community. The project is progressing smoothly, with completion anticipated by December 2025.
Embracing Digital Connection with Realm Connect
Recognizing the growing importance of digital engagement, Emanuel introduced the Realm Connect app to its members. This platform allows congregants to stay informed about church news, sign up for volunteer opportunities, and manage online giving. An online church directory is also planned for launch in the spring of 2025, further strengthening community connections.
Enhancing Worship Through Music
Emanuel is committed to enriching its musical worship and has commissioned Parsons Pipe Organ Builders to construct a new three-manual and pedal pipe organ. This impressive instrument, featuring 35 voices and 42 ranks, is designed to support the church’s growing music program and will be a centerpiece of the renovated sanctuary.
Adapting Worship Amidst Challenges
Emanuel has also adapted to changing circumstances by offering online worship services. Congregants can participate in live-streamed services via YouTube, ensuring continued spiritual connection and engagement regardless of physical attendance.
Emanuel continues to prioritize mission work, both locally and globally. The congregation remains actively involved in supporting outreach efforts, participating in community programs, and providing spiritual guidance to members and non-members alike.
Through all these endeavors, Emanuel Lutheran Church continues to honor its rich history while proactively addressing the needs of its present and future community. Despite the inevitable challenges, Emanuel maintains its unwavering trust in God's grace, recognizing that its very name, Emanuel, stands as a testament to His abiding presence. The congregation rejoices with thanksgiving for all that God enables them to do each year.