On May 28, 1918 , the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation and the Evangelical Lutheran Congregation were joined to form Immanuel Lutheran Congregation. Just a year before, a synodical merger formed the NorwegianLutheran Church in America bringing together the three largest Norwegian Lutheran synods and the vast majority of Norwegian Lutheran congregations in America. The older of Immanuel’s parent congregations, Luther Lutheran, was incorporated on May 10, 1870 , making this the “birth date” of the congregation known today as Immanuel Lutheran Church of Forest City, IA.
Immanuel’s proud history has been written by men and women who came to a “land of liberty and opportunity” who were “deeply concerned with the spiritual growth of their children, and the continued growth of their members in the knowledge of the doctrines of the church.”This passion for knowledge is evident in the congregation’s strong ties to the founding of Waldorf College in 1903 and its continued support.
As the congregation grew within Forest City , it also sought opportunities to reach out globally through
missions support and sponsorship of missionaries. In addition, dozens of men and women of the congregation attended seminary through support of the Immanuel congregation.
Important dates of Immanuel’s pastors and history:
1860 – A group of settlers north and east of what is now Forest City see the need for a church.
1869 – A group of these settlers issues a call to a theological candidate.
1870 – Luther Lutheran is incorporated on May 10.
1875 – Norwegian Evangelical Synod Church is organized.
1879 – Forest City is incorporated and the railroad comes to town.
1885 – Norwegian Evangelical is officially named the Forest City Evangelical Lutheran Congregation.
1890 – Augustana Synod merges with United Church on October 20. A new constitution is adopted for Luther Lutheran. The Norwegian Evangelical congregation completes a church building.
1894-95 – Church building program is undertaken by Luther Lutheran.
1908-09 – An addition to Luther Lutheran Church is built.
1918-1919 – Rev.V.F.Larson installed as the first pastor of newly created Immanuel Lutheran Church.
1919-26 - Rev. J. A. Quello, Senior Pastor
1927-38 - Rev. J.A.M. Hinderlie, Senior Pastor
1938-40 - Rev. B.A. Benson, Senior Pastor
1940-45 - Rev. W.C. Reinertson, Senior Pastor
1941-42 – New structure built and dedicated.
1946-51 - Rev. Arndt Halvorson, Senior Pastor
1951-56 - Rev. Burton Smith, Senior Pastor
1955-56 - Parish Education building built and dedicated.
1957-75 - Rev. Owen Gangstead, Senior Pastor
1958-61; 69-70 - Rev. Paul Mork, Co-Pastor
1971-93 - Rev. Ole Winter, Senior Pastor
1973-86 - Rev. John Hieronymus, Visitation Pastor
1976-87 - Rev. Steven Dornbusch, Associate Pastor
1982-86 – Building updates occur with office space added.
1986-93 - Rev. Norbert Jolivette, Visitation Pastor
1987-91 - Rev. Bryan Engfer, Associate Pastor
1991-95 - Rev. Gerald Dyste, Associate/Visitation Pastor
1993 – Chancel renovation occurs through efforts of Operation Baton.
4-24-1994 - Pastor Lee Laaveg installed as Senior Pastor; farewell 11-26-2006
2-19-1995 - Rev. Sharon Worthington installed as Associate Pastor; farewell 5-17-1998
7-2-1995 - 125th Anniversary Celebration.
1995-2000 - Rev. David Samuelson, half-time Visitation Pastor
1995-98 – Building made accessible with interior ramps and elevators through Extra Mile Endeavor.
3-12-2000 - Rev. Michelle Simonson installed as Associate Pastor; farewell 7-2003
2003-2004 - Dawn Quame, Intern for the year
2005 - Sanctuary renovation through New Day! campaign.
6-27-2004 - Rev. Barb Spaulding installed as Discipleship Pastor; farewell 11-22-2009
1-20-2007 - Krista Strum's Ordination
5-28-2008 - Celebrated 90th Anniversary of merged congregations that made ILC-Luther Luther (older 5-10-1870) and FC Norwegian Lutheran
9-7-2008 - Rev. Rod Hopp installed as Senior Pastor.
2010 - Cory Smith, Intern for the year
8-21-2011 - Rev. Greg Anderson installed as Associate Pastor; farewell 1-11-2015
2014 - On Firm Foundation building, windows, and organ updates and repairs are complete
2-15-2015 - Jim Mantel installed as Interim Lay Pastor, farewell 5-22-2016
3-13-2016 - Worship & Music Director Travis Beck commissioned & installed as AIM (Associate in Ministry),
farewell 8-27-2017
6-26-2016 - Rev. Zech Anderson installed as Associate Pastor
8-18-2018 - Ordination Service of Mary Dickman Fiel
3-16-2020 - Covid-19 Pandemic forces shut down of most everything
2020 - 150th Anniversary of Immanuel recognized by Western Iowa Synod
10-16-2021 - Ordination Service of Matthew Polsdofer
12-1-2022 - Elizabeth Carr, Intern for the year
Immanuel’s proud history has been written by men and women who came to a “land of liberty and opportunity” who were “deeply concerned with the spiritual growth of their children, and the continued growth of their members in the knowledge of the doctrines of the church.”This passion for knowledge is evident in the congregation’s strong ties to the founding of Waldorf College in 1903 and its continued support.
As the congregation grew within Forest City , it also sought opportunities to reach out globally through
missions support and sponsorship of missionaries. In addition, dozens of men and women of the congregation attended seminary through support of the Immanuel congregation.
Important dates of Immanuel’s pastors and history:
1860 – A group of settlers north and east of what is now Forest City see the need for a church.
1869 – A group of these settlers issues a call to a theological candidate.
1870 – Luther Lutheran is incorporated on May 10.
1875 – Norwegian Evangelical Synod Church is organized.
1879 – Forest City is incorporated and the railroad comes to town.
1885 – Norwegian Evangelical is officially named the Forest City Evangelical Lutheran Congregation.
1890 – Augustana Synod merges with United Church on October 20. A new constitution is adopted for Luther Lutheran. The Norwegian Evangelical congregation completes a church building.
1894-95 – Church building program is undertaken by Luther Lutheran.
1908-09 – An addition to Luther Lutheran Church is built.
1918-1919 – Rev.V.F.Larson installed as the first pastor of newly created Immanuel Lutheran Church.
1919-26 - Rev. J. A. Quello, Senior Pastor
1927-38 - Rev. J.A.M. Hinderlie, Senior Pastor
1938-40 - Rev. B.A. Benson, Senior Pastor
1940-45 - Rev. W.C. Reinertson, Senior Pastor
1941-42 – New structure built and dedicated.
1946-51 - Rev. Arndt Halvorson, Senior Pastor
1951-56 - Rev. Burton Smith, Senior Pastor
1955-56 - Parish Education building built and dedicated.
1957-75 - Rev. Owen Gangstead, Senior Pastor
1958-61; 69-70 - Rev. Paul Mork, Co-Pastor
1971-93 - Rev. Ole Winter, Senior Pastor
1973-86 - Rev. John Hieronymus, Visitation Pastor
1976-87 - Rev. Steven Dornbusch, Associate Pastor
1982-86 – Building updates occur with office space added.
1986-93 - Rev. Norbert Jolivette, Visitation Pastor
1987-91 - Rev. Bryan Engfer, Associate Pastor
1991-95 - Rev. Gerald Dyste, Associate/Visitation Pastor
1993 – Chancel renovation occurs through efforts of Operation Baton.
4-24-1994 - Pastor Lee Laaveg installed as Senior Pastor; farewell 11-26-2006
2-19-1995 - Rev. Sharon Worthington installed as Associate Pastor; farewell 5-17-1998
7-2-1995 - 125th Anniversary Celebration.
1995-2000 - Rev. David Samuelson, half-time Visitation Pastor
1995-98 – Building made accessible with interior ramps and elevators through Extra Mile Endeavor.
3-12-2000 - Rev. Michelle Simonson installed as Associate Pastor; farewell 7-2003
2003-2004 - Dawn Quame, Intern for the year
2005 - Sanctuary renovation through New Day! campaign.
6-27-2004 - Rev. Barb Spaulding installed as Discipleship Pastor; farewell 11-22-2009
1-20-2007 - Krista Strum's Ordination
5-28-2008 - Celebrated 90th Anniversary of merged congregations that made ILC-Luther Luther (older 5-10-1870) and FC Norwegian Lutheran
9-7-2008 - Rev. Rod Hopp installed as Senior Pastor.
2010 - Cory Smith, Intern for the year
8-21-2011 - Rev. Greg Anderson installed as Associate Pastor; farewell 1-11-2015
2014 - On Firm Foundation building, windows, and organ updates and repairs are complete
2-15-2015 - Jim Mantel installed as Interim Lay Pastor, farewell 5-22-2016
3-13-2016 - Worship & Music Director Travis Beck commissioned & installed as AIM (Associate in Ministry),
farewell 8-27-2017
6-26-2016 - Rev. Zech Anderson installed as Associate Pastor
8-18-2018 - Ordination Service of Mary Dickman Fiel
3-16-2020 - Covid-19 Pandemic forces shut down of most everything
2020 - 150th Anniversary of Immanuel recognized by Western Iowa Synod
10-16-2021 - Ordination Service of Matthew Polsdofer
12-1-2022 - Elizabeth Carr, Intern for the year
