Immanuel Lutheran Church at 2498 CR 2100 E, Thomasboro, IL 61878 US - About Us...

OUR LEADERS OVER THE PAST 125 YEARS...

The Reverends Tjaden and Grupe served Flatville as traveling missionaries from 1872 - 1874. On April 20, 1874, the first church was built and the full-time pastor, Rev. G.H. Fischer, was called. He served from 1874 - 1879. Rev. Ave Lallemont, 1879 - 1880; Rev. John Heiniger, 1879 - 1882; Rev. L. Seehase, 1883 - 1895; Rev. E. Moehl, 1895 - 1938; Rev. H. Hafermann, 1938 - 1948; Rev. H.H. Diers, 1948 - 1962; Rev. R. Mueller, 1962 - 1969; Rev. W. Leibfarth, Visitation Pastor, 1965 - 1968; Rev. A. Zenker, 1969 - 1976; Rev. A. Blobaum, Visitation Pastor, 1972 - 1976; Rev. G. Mertz, 1976 - 1984; Rev. Lynn Broughton, 1984 - 1995; Rev. Jack Dixon, 1986 - 1988; Rev. H. Flessner, Visitation Pastor, 1988 - 1993; Rev. Mark Billow, 1993 - 1998; Rev. James T. Lehmann 1996 - Present.

GROWTH AND EXPANSION...

The first church (40' x 28' with an entrance hall and 26 pews) soon became too small (records for 1886 report 41 baptisms, 7 weddings and 5 funerals). So on April 26, 1886, the congregation decided to build the second church. For its day, the church was large and beautiful at a cost of $6,000.

By 1898 the number of confirmands was so large that the summer kitchen of the parsonage, thus far used as a classroom, could no longer contain the class, so it was decided to build a new parsonage. Later that same year, the congregation also built a school house (20' x 30') for confirmation instruction. Parsonage and school were dedicated on January 24, 1899.

The congregation continued to grow and at the meeting of January 2, 1913, the members passed a resolution that if sufficient pledges could be obtained, plans would be made to build a new church (which is now our present building). In the congregation meeting of June 23, 1913, it was announced that $41,120 had been pledged. On May 14, 1914, crowds of people assembled for the cornerstone laying. The new church building was dedicated on January 24, 1915, with the total cost of the building being approximately $50,000.

The next major expansion was the ground breaking on May 28, 1953, for the new Sunday School building and parsonage. On May 2, 1954, Immanuel reached another milestone, with the dedication of this beautiful two - story brick structure with class rooms, offices and a large assembly hall, as well as the matching parsonage.

In 1965, when the congregation called a part - time assistant pastor, a second parsonage was built directly across the road from the main parsonage.

We give thanks to God as we reflect on these past accomplishments of our courageous ancestors, who risked a new land and unknown life. God's grace was revealed in their deep faith and commitment to building this church.

"UPLIFTING CHRIST THROUGH 125 YEARS OF CARING"... is a summary of what we have undertaken to do together as a congregation in response to the marvelous grace of God. May we continue to be his witnesses in our own little worlds and throughout the world, to use our gifts for the common good, to be good stewards of all that has been committed to our care.