Is was in the month of March, 1890 when the following families moved into this community from Scotland, South Dakota, for the purpose of taking up a homestead and organize a church so they may have their Sunday services the way they used to have them in the old country, Russia, from where they emigrated. The names of these old pioneers are: 

Christian Dobler with 7 children. 
Jabob Strobel with 4 children 
Mrs. Baltzer and daughter, later married and 3 children. 
Mr. & Mrs. August Adolf. 
Mr. & Mrs. Christian Strobel. 
Mr. & Mrs. Christian Baltzer.
Mr. & Mrs. Johannes Schaal. 
Mr. & Mrs. Frederich Stutz. 
Mr. & Mrs. Otto Winter. 
Mrs. & Mrs. Mattias Haefner. 
Mathis Schaal, Jacob Strobel and Andreas Baltzer, unmarried. 

In and during the first 4 to 5 weeks these people lived with people who already were settled until these emigrants had found a place suitable for settling down.  The present place called, Settlement, was chosen by them for a home and they filed for their homestead.  To this day it still goes under the name of German Settlement, which is not quite correct anymore.  Times also here have brot (sic) about changes. After these people had been granted their homestead, they began to till the soil, built little doby houses and a barn for two horses and a few cows, but when Sunday came they missed their services (sic) and likewise religious schooling of the children.  So one day they came together taking up this question in all sincerity and it was decided to start church services in the home of Mr. Christain Dobler, who was located about the center of the colony.  As yet they had no pastor, so one was elected to read a sermon, and having their songbooks, they had every Sunday, what is called “Lesegottesdiesst” or reading service. 

Dobler and Strobel alternated in reading the sermons. People in those days would walk from one to four miles to church; they believed in giving their horses on Sunday also rest from the very day work. But reading services alone did not satisfy these pioneers, there were children to be baptized and they desired Holy communion, therefore they called on Rev. D. Meyer, who had a charge 15 miles northeast.  This was in July or August, 1980.  Rev.  Meyer served them every third Sunday and on the remaining Sundays they had “Lesegottesdiesst.” In the fall of 1892 Rev. A Leup was called.  This year two more families moved in. The year 1893, in spring these pioneers decided to build a church 24x40x10 out of rock. Each married family had to get eight load and the single members had to get four load of stone.  Mr. Dobler was the carpenter. All work was donated.  Rev. Leup and G. Jansen officiated.  1893 was a lean year and 1894 they had a total failure and pastor Leup left and Rev. Jansen served them every third Sunday.  Of those members that helped build the first church, only three are this day members of this church and are Joannes Schaal, August Adolf and Sam Schaal. 

In the spring of 1902 the Immanuels congregation decided to build a parsonage 30x30, one story, with four rooms, which was dedicated in the fall and Rev. G. Jansen was the first pastor living in the new parsonage.  Rev. Jansen left in May 1903, and was succeeded by Rev. Robert Ackerman, who entered upon this field in July or the forepart of August and remained until May, 1906.  In a short time thereafter, Rev. A. Stein came. He stayed until July, 1909, and was followed by Rev. Martein Jensen.  A brewing storm in the church began to reach its crisis in the spring of 1911, when a part of this church separated itself from its mother church and organized the Congregational church, 1 mile north of here.  The Immanuel’s church weathered the crash and progressed in its work (with a bleeding hear for them that left their mother’s faith), and Rev. Jensen left during the summer of 1912.  At on time or the other the Lord is testing the faith of his people.  After Rev. Jensen, came Rev. N. Burn.  In the spring of 1913 the church bought its first organ.  during the summer or fall of 1915, Rev. Brun left and was succeeded by Rev. G. Adolf in the spring of 1916, who was succeeded by Rev. Otto Kloeckner in the fall of 1921.  During his time the new church, 32x60 with steeple 55 feet high, was built. This was in 1926.  The cost was $7500.  When the church was finished it was paid for.  The Immanuels church is much indebted to the untiring work of Rev. Kloeckner, both in labor and collecting money, and she is much indebted to the many good will offering towards the church of their friends in the country and towns, in particular Burlington.  If there are some of these good will donors here this day we wish you God’ blessing.  It has proven a blessing in more ways than one.  Soon after the drought set in  and the times for building a church like this was over. 

The church was incorporated on Sept. 7 1902.  The first child in this church was born in May, 1890. He is August Adolf.  Mathis Schaal and Eva Baltzer were the first couple married in the congregation.  Daniel, son of August Adolf, was the first person buried in the summer of 1892.  Samuel Schaal was treasurer at least part time under every pastor of this church.  On Oct. 30 1932, Rev. E. Stolz, child of this church, was ordained into the ministry by the present pastor.  He is the first and only one coming out of this congregation. 

During these 50 years, up to this 27th day of October, in this congregation, were baptized 531; confirmed, 231; married, 64 couple; died, 109; 6405 went to Holy communion.  Of this number 3035 took Holy communion in the last 10 years and 1o months while during the 39 years and 2 month, only 3372 communed.  This increase of communion guests in not entirely due to the growth of the church, but also much to a spiritual revival as result of Christian education.  There is not record on offering for benevolence for 39 years and 2 months, but during the last 10 years and 10 months, the church gave for benevolence, $3950.99.  This does not include offering in material for stricken communities not special offerings for special purposes within the congregation.  In 1935 the church last about 130 souls due to drought and duststorms.  Some have never returned.  One Jan. 1, 1940, the church had 63 members (of which 12 of this 63 had to be booked inactive “or dead” members, which is credited to none.)  In counted 241 souls, 60 Sunday school children, and 145 communicants.  The gold ministerial anniversary of Rev. O. Kloeckner was celebrated.  Also the golden anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Bauder, Nov. 25, 1935; the golden anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Whilhem Adolf on June 25, 1936.  Also did the congregation remember the silver anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Gottlieb Adolf Sr.; of A.W. Adolf and his wife; Conrad Meyer and wife, and probably others in former years.   On June 25, 1837, the Burlington First St. Paul’s and this Immanuel’s church, honored their pastor, H. L. Woelber, jointly, celebrating their silver wedding and the pastor’s silver ministerial anniversary in this church.  The ladies of the church are joined together with one president and one committee for the common good of the church.  The church as its annual mission festival and since nine years its annual children’s mission festival and celebrated a confirmation reunion of all confirments since 19320 on Aug 30, 1938.  It has raised its church quota during the last 11 years excepting one year.  It has Sunday school in tow languages —the German consisting of three classes and teachers and the American of five classes and teachers, and a large Bible class in which both young and old participate one hour every Sunday.  The Bible class and Sunday school begins to crown this church for proper room because of inadequate room in the basement, which is also a handicap to its social affairs.  The church council consists of six members;  A.W. Adolf, Jake Hassart, Fred Ziegler, Carl Adolf, Christ Kramer and George Wiedman.  Organist for the American service is Mrs. H. L. Woelber and for the German service Mr. Ed Stahlecker, who has served his God and his church as organist for 29 years.  Faithful service. 

During the last 50 years our Lord Jesus Christ, head of the church, has been leading her onward in much patience, long suffering and untold blessing and we must confess not always have we responded with such gratefulness as He deserves for which this day we ask His humble forgiveness.  In spite of its many shortcomings, she prayed: “In storm and Sunshine, Lord abide with me.”  He did so.  Therefore 1890—- Glory to God — 1940.