About

Immanuel’s Story

“The history of Immanuel Lutheran Church properly begins in the year 1863, when a number of Lutheran families from Hampton Bluff, llinois moved to this part of Iowa.” So begins the Historical Sketch in the Jubilee Celebration booklet from 1971. The original Immanuel was actually located at Buena Vista, south and west of the town of Grand Mound. The church cemetery is still located there, but there are no buildings.

In the later 19th century, the pastors from Trinity Lutheran in Davenport and Immanuel Lutheran in Charlotte served Lutheran families in and around Grand Mound and DeWitt. In 1896, Immanuel formed a dual parish with Trinity Lutheran, a newly organized congregation in Grand Mound. In 1905, Trinity, Grand Mound built a church, and in 1911 a parsonage, which is still being used by the pastor and his family.

In 1939, Immanuel in Buena Vista decided to join Trinity in Grand Mound, and the last service at Immanuel was held on May 27, 1945. The first service of the newly formed congregation, called Immanuel Lutheran Church, was held in Grand Mound the next Sunday, June 3, 1945. Over the years the sanctuary has been remodeled and enlarged several times.

Today several hundred souls, mostly from the Grand Mound, Calamus, and DeWitt areas call Immanuel their church home. We are farmers and laborers and professional people of all ages from newborn to several ninety-plus members. Several groups operate within the structure of the congregation, including: Mary and Martha Circle, Sunday School, Men’s and Women’s Bible Studies, Youth Group, and the (Young) Couples Group.

We are thankful for all the blessings that God has bestowed through the years on and through our congregation, and we look forward to many more years in His Grace.

The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod

Immanuel is a member congregation of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. The LCMS has more than 2.3 million baptized members in more than 6,100 congregations and more than 9,000 pastors. Two seminaries and 10 colleges and universities operate under the auspices of the LCMS, and its congregations operate the largest Protestant parochial school system in America.

The LCMS broadcasts the saving message of Jesus Christ over KFUO Radio, and it has relationships and actively does mission work in nearly 90 countries around the world. In the last five years, the LCMS has awarded more than $35 million through more than 900 domestic and international grants for emergency response and disaster response. The LCMS is in full doctrinal fellowship with 33 other confessional Lutheran church bodies worldwide. Click to go to LCMS Home Page

Sunday Morning at Immanuel

At 9:00 on Sunday morning, people of all ages from potty trained up gather for Christian Education. We begin with a short opening, led by the Pastor, in the basement. To get to there, enter through any of the doors on Smith Street and go down the stairs. Our building also has an elevator. After the opening, the adults stay put, and the youngsters scatter hither and yon, each to their own classes.

At 10:00 on Sunday morning, we gather together for Divine Service in the sanctuary. We use a variety of liturgies out of the Lutheran Service Book. During the service, we sing hymns to the accompaniment of our beautiful pipe organ. We also pray, listen to readings from the Bible, and listen to a sermon preached by the Pastor. After the service, people typically stay and chat awhile.