Office Phone: 219-884-4244   Fax: 219-887-0772  e-mail:  emmanuel46410@comcast.net 

A History of Emmanuel Lutheran Church

On April 13, 1925 the congregation broke ground for a church building at 3950 Washington Street. This dwelling was dedicated to the service of the Lord on July 25, 1925 and only ten days later the constitution of Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Gary was adopted and signed by thirty members.

Phyllis Parker and Helen Sackman are surviving children of charter members. Helen now lives in Indianapolis but Phyllis still worships with us, thanks to a compassionate member who picks her up each Sunday from the retirement home.

In 1928 the church building that would be Emmanuel’s place of worship for the next 36 years was purchased from St. Mark Catholic Church and moved to 3956 Washington Street. The dedication was held on November 18, 1928. This building was once the home of a Lutheran congregation in Tolleston, Indiana. The reed organ was from the 1893 World’s Fair.

The first building at 3950 Washington Street was remodeled into a three flat and, subsequently, the basement and upper floor apartments were used for Sunday School, while the first floor was the parsonage. The teenage Sunday School class was held near the warm coal stove.

Mr. Beckman, the caretaker, often rang the bell before classes began. That same bell is in our bell tower outside the present church.

In the early years, fundraisers were turkey dinners and rabbit suppers. They were delicious and large crowds attended. Many ladies were involved in the preparation. For the children, someone made a small papier-mâché birthday cake with candles. During Sunday School a penny was dropped into a slit at the top for each year of age the student had attained. It was replaced by the small cast iron church in our hall display case.

In the 1940s first through fifth grade students at Glen Park Elementary School attended Bible School at Emmanuel Lutheran Church during their gym time on Fridays. All the parents gave permission. Quite a contrast with today!

Beginning in 1933, a ministry to teens began. It was called “Luther League”. In 1978, the Emmanuel youth and sponsors, under the direction of Bill Mains, spent two weeks and eleven engagements traveling from Canada to Washington D.C., spreading the gospel through song.

The Men’s Club, later called the Brotherhood, was active for more than 25 years. They believed that the loyal, Christian work of organized men was important. The Club also sponsored a winning dart ball team. The dart ball team continues to this day, enjoying friendly competition and fellowship with neighboring churches.

Christian education has always been an integral part of Emmanuel’s ministry. Our first annual Vacation Bible School was held in 1958 and has continued to the present. The first Emmanuel church bus was operating in 1961. Women’s groups were formed throughout the 60s and 70s. They were called “Circles” and were intended to promote bible study, service, and friendship among women. Three of those groups continue today: The Rebekah, Ruth, and Sarah Circles.

In the 1970s the Bethel Series was introduced at Emmanuel. It was an intense study of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. About 100 members participated over a period of 8 years. One member said “It was a life-changing experience, as I saw God’s purpose unfolding in the Word of God.

In 1977 the Children’s Memorial Library was established in memory of Craig Atkisson, son of Don and June Atkisson. The library was completely remodeled in 1992 and remains one of the finest children’s libraries in the state.

For the first 63 years of its history, Emmanuel was a member of the American Lutheran Church. In 1988, with the national union of the American Lutheran Church, the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches, and the Lutheran Church in America; Emmanuel became one of the charter members of the newly formed ELCA, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

The people of Emmanuel have received meaningful spiritual care and leadership from the following ministers:

Rev. & Mrs. Carl Busse 1924-1929
Rev. Orville K. Bosse 1929-1932
Rev. Everett P. Weubbens 1932-1935
Rev. Carl Kionka (Interim) 1935-1936
Rev. Norbert Schott 1936-1939
Rev. A. Hugo Lutz 1939-1948
Rev. Fred Lutz 1948-1954
Rev. Walter Kloetzli (Interim) 1954-1995
Rev. Donald M.Weber 1955-1973
Rev. John Hoenstine (Asst.) 1966-1971
Intern Richard Ferne 1971-1972
Rev. Dennis Stutrud 1973-1982
Rev. Donald M. Weber 1982-1998
Deaconess Gwenn Bazajou 1994-1996
Rev. Scott A. Moore (Asst.) 1997-1999
Rev. Gerald Abenth (Interim) 1998-1999
Rev. Lawrence A. Gember... 2000-Present

Rev. Gember came to Emmanuel as an interim pastor during a very difficult time in the church’s history. Rev. Moore had resigned in October, 1999 and Rev. Abenth took his own life two months later. There was a great deal of healing that needed to take place and Pastor Gember patiently provided the necessary pastoral care. A close bond developed between the congregation and Pastor Gember, and they decided to call him as the permanent pastor in June of 2001.

During Pastor Gember’s tenure a number of changes have taken place at Emmanuel. The church fulfilled its decades-old dream of air conditioning the worship space and fellowship hall as dedicated members raised $50,000 in less than a year. A new outdoor sign was erected, the pastor’s office remodeled, a new computer, major improvements in the parsonage, an upgrade to the sanctuary sound system, a state-of-the-art keyboard, and a fine projection system to provide multi-media capabilities for worship.

In addition to improvements to the physical plant, ministry changes also emerged. A praise band was formed in 2002 to provide an alternative worship experience at least once a month, which also incorporates our youth as participants in the service. The rest of our music ministry continues to be led by our very capable staff: Darrell Elser, Senior Choir Director; Mary Simons, Organist; and Cindy Gember, Youth Choir Director.

The Alpha Course, a review of Christian fundamentals, was taken by 63 members in 2003. We are currently launching more adult small-groups led by lay members, which combine Bible learning with mutual support, friendship and prayer.

Our church has recently decided to invest in a very strong youth ministry program, which will reach beyond our church to the surrounding community. Cindy Elser was brought on staff in 2003 to accomplish that formidable goal and has made much progress. She and Pastor Gember were married in April 2004.

When Pastor Gember was called to serve Emmanuel, the congregation developed a new mission statement in which we committed to be very intentional about reaching out to people of all races. We are happy to report that Emmanuel has made great strides in becoming a more culturally diverse church.

God has been present with us through the years through the good times and bad, and we look to the future with assurance that He will always provide us with hope and strength. We in turn, will remain faithful to him by fulfilling the mission entrusted to us.