Our History
Founded on August 11, 1901
Recently celebrated our 125th Anniversary!
Soli Deo Gloria!
To God Alone the Glory!
1871-1901
Colorado Springs was founded on August 1, 1871 by General William Jackson Palmer, whose statue appears at the intersection of Platte and Nevada Avenues. Palmer was, oddly enough, a teetotaling Quaker whose pacifist roots did not interfere with him becoming one of the youngest army generals during the Civil War. Palmer envisioned a city of culture, refinement, and leisure, a resort community in contrast to the industrial city of Pueblo to the south and the brash, corrupt Denver to the north. Early on the town attracted many English immigrants and came to be known as "Little London." In 1874 an Episcopal church was founded to cater to them, and still stands today as an Anglican Church.
Close behind the English were many German immigrants, so it is not surprising that attempts were made to start a Lutheran church. Immanuel Lutheran Church was officially founded on August 11, 1901, 125 years ago. Immanuel's first little building was finished in 1903 and served the German population for 46 years. Its cornerstone is now located in our gymnasium. It states "Ev. Luth. Immanuels Kirche U.A.C." which means Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel Church of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession. The "U.A.C." was important since it indicated a Lutheran church which subscribed to the original confessions of Martin Luther, as opposed to the more "liberal" Lutherans who did not.
1901-1953
Initially, Immanuel conducted all of its services in German. In 1925, however, a Sunday evening Vespers service was held in English, and by 1929 English and German services were conducted on alternate Sundays.
Immanuel's first church building was constructed in the early 1900s on the southwest corner of Wahsatch and Boulder. By 1949, Immanuel's membership outgrew the small building. A second church was built at the current location of Pikes Peak Avenue and Institute. A school building and gym were soon added in 1953.
After World War II, the membership of churches of all denominations grew tremendously with the arrival of the Baby Boomer generation. In 1953, Easter services were held in the gym which could accommodate 500 people. It was recorded 868 people attended a choir concert there that same year!
1953-1963
By 1962, Immanuel had some 1600 members and a school of around 250 children, making it one of the largest congregations of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The time had come for the church to build its third and present sanctuary with a capacity of about 500. This featured additional classrooms for grades 7-9, a library, science room, and principal's office.
The choir had grown to some 60 members, and together with a children's choir and handbells, recorded a fine stereo LP recording. Several fine full-time music teachers, choir directors, and organists were employed over the years. The school had a large music program with several children and youth choirs, as well as handbell ensembles. Handbells had become very popular during this time. There were also several athletic programs.
A significant pipe organ of 23 ranks - built by local organ builder Dewey Layton - was installed in the sanctuary's choir loft. It was dedicated in 1963 by Paul Rosel, head of the music department at Concordia College in Seward, Nebraska.
1964-2005
For over forty years, the Immanuel Lutheran Church campus was a busy place with school classes going on during the week, weddings on Saturdays, and Sunday School classes and as many as three worship services on Sunday mornings.
As for the last twenty-five years, the church celebrated its centennial; the centennial anniversary book contains a very comprehensive history with many historic photographs.
In 2005 Immanuel did a major renovation on the sanctuary pipe organ. The chruch acquired a second Dewey Layton organ from First Lutheran Church, and it was combined with the existing instrument to make one of the largest organs in Colorado Springs with a total of 46 ranks, or sets of pipes. This instrument fills our large space with sound which the original organ could not accomplish.
2006-Present
Unfortunately at the end of the 2008-2009 academic year, the church made the difficult decision to close the school due to declining enrollment and rising expenses.
The school was established in 1953. For 56 years, Immanuel educated thousands of Colorado Springs children. Fortunately the classrooms and gym quickly found new uses: a basketball program, various private, charter, and special schools, and so forth.
Two years after the school's closing, Immanuel acquired another pipe organ in 2011! The Joel Kremer Theatre Organ found a permanent home in Immanuel's gymnasium. It's the largest theatre organ in Colorado with four keyboards and 28 ranks. Immediately the gym was home to silent movies with organ accompaniment, nationally-known visiting organists, military band concerts, and five annual Gospel Festivals. The epidemic of 2020 unfortunately saw the decline of some of these activities.
Today
During the past ten years of Pastor Kern's leadership, the church building received stunning renovations. To aid elderly and disabled members and guests, an elevator was installed and the front of the church was made accessible to cars.
The church offers two libraries for young children, youth, and adults. Immanuel also offers regular recital and concert series.
Attendance at Divine Service has steadily increased, and younger people and families have been attracted to Immanuel by the traditional worship and solid theology.
Mid-Week Matins are also provided on Wednesdays, along with various Bible Studies on Sundays and throughout the week. On Sundays, Christian Education classes are provided for all ages beginning at 3 years old. There are many volunteer opportunities, such as packaging nutritious Mercy Meals that are delivered to needy children throughout the world.
