Our Story ~ 1873-2023
History of Immanuel Lutheran Church - UAC - Canton KS
To bear witness to the Gospel of Jesus and to tell the story of our Lord’s gracious dealing with His people, by collecting and preserving our history.
1873 By this year a number of German Lutheran families arrived in Kansas, purchased prime agricultural land and established homes in the Spring Valley Township of McPherson County. Several had immigrated to the USA directly from Europe, while in other instances they arrived from the surrounding States. The Spring Valley Post Office was established one mile south of the present church, which is seven miles south and one mile west of Canton. This is early in the development of the area as railroads would not reach the present site of Canton until 1879 and the town of Galva was not established until 1887. Two important trails, the Santa Fe and the California/Arkansas, passed through the settlement area. The ghost town of Empire, 4 miles west and 3 miles north of the present church, at the junction of these two trails, did not have a permanent structure built until 1871, as a re-supply store that stood at the ford of Salt creek. These German Lutheran families were the pioneer settlers and essential to the development of the McPherson County economy.
In this same year, the Reverend P.F German of Topeka came to this area and conducted Lutheran services on two successive Sundays. Shortly thereafter, six German Lutheran families banded together for the purpose of establishing a congregation.
About this time the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) commissioned Reverend J. Hoffmann as Missionary-at-large for Western Kansas. He established his headquarters in Hutchinson. This Lutheran group at Spring Valley, together with a group from Superior (now Inman) extended a call to Reverend J. Hoffmann. God moved him to accept.
Twenty-three miles away to the west the members at Inman had planned to build a parsonage, but for some reason did not carry out their plans. Pastor Hoffman and his family lived in the homes of the members in the Spring Valley community. Before long the congregation at Spring Valley built a two-room house for their pastor and his family on a five-acre tract of land which was presented to the congregation by Geo. Schneider, a member. The location was one mile south and one mile east of the present church, at the current location of the small German Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery. This location is just south of where the middle fork of Emma Creek crosses 27th Ave, about 1/4 mile south of Chisholm Rd, just inside Meridian Township. Pastor Hoffmann also held services in Newton, KS a number of times.
1878 On July 14th the congregation at Spring Valley reorganized and adopted a revised constitution. The constitution was written in German and the services were entirely in the German language. The name “Immanuel” was adopted, which means “God with us.” They said, “God will be with us in the future as He has been in the past”. The subsequent history of the congregation proves that God was indeed with this congregation to pour out His bountiful blessings upon them year after year. Pastor Hoffmann then accepted a call to Nebraska.
1879 Reverend C. Wuensch accepted a call to Immanuel, however, in less than a year he accepted a call to Nebraska.
1880 During this time without a pastor, a split developed in the congregation. Some members decided to join the General Council of the Holdeman Mennonite Church, an Anabaptist Christian sect, and then laid claim to the church property. However, a strong faction remained that wanted to stay with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, although they had not yet officially joined that Synod. Not caring to resort to the courts and a legal battle, these members kept the name Immanuel Lutheran Church and looked for another location. In time those who left to join the Mennonite church never did build on the land they had claimed, and abandoned the cemetery as well, which went under the care of Spring Valley Township and has retained the name of the German Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery.
1881 Under the leadership of the Lutheran Missionary G. Toenjes, the congregation called the candidate, Mr. J.H.F. Hoyer. He was ordained and installed on July 31 as the Reverend JHF Hoyer. The congregation was incorporated under the laws of the State of Kansas. In November Mr. William Boesker offered 10 acres of land as his contribution toward the building program of the church, and the congregation of loyal Lutherans accepted with gratitude. This land was 7 miles south and 1 mile west of Canton. Contributions quickly accumulated to $665, which were used to build a parsonage of 16 X 26 ft and an addition of 16 X 16 ft for a school and educational purposes. The building was completed for $616.41, and the money remaining was used to build a barn.
1882 This year a cemetery was laid out on the southwest corner of the property and dedicated with fitting ceremonies. One member, Adelhide (Gerken) Grother - born 6-20-1834 / died 8-28-1876 - previously buried at the German Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, one mile east and one and a quarter mile south of our present cemetery, was reinterred into lot 63 at our current cemetery.
During the first years, public worship services were held in both the Spring Valley and the Meridian public school houses.
1885 In January the congregation voted to build a church and gathered pledges. The first church building was dedicated July 19. The cost was $1,660.18 with a wood frame structure of 30 x 50 feet with 16 ft tall sides and vestibule of 10 x 10 feet.
1886 The thriving congregation officially joined the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS), a conservative Lutheran body organized in Chicago in 1847.
1887 A new building, 18' x 18' was built for the Christian Day School where students were taught in grades 1-8.
1888 Reverend Peter Hoyer, during his pastorate, did mission work in the communities such as Strong City, Middle Creek in Chase County, Newton, Hillsboro and Wichita. Toward the end of the year, he accepted a call to Hanover, KS.
The same year Reverend E. Maehr became the new pastor. During his ministry the parsonage was enlarged. Reverend Maehr also served Inman and organized and served the Moundridge congregation. He was influential in getting a church building moved to Moundridge from Inman. He served for 9 years.
1897 Reverend Maehr accepted a call to St. Francis, KS at the close of this year. Reverend G. Storm became the new pastor and teacher.
1902 Reverend Storm accepted a call to another church, leaving Immanuel. A student was called from Concordia Seminary to teach the Lutheran Day School until autumn when Reverend W.G. Bullinger became pastor and teacher.
1903 The congregation celebrated the 25th anniversary of its organization. Rev. J Hoffman, Rev. J Hoyer and Rev. E. Maehr each preached sermons during the celebratory Sunday services.
1908 Mr. Henry (Heinrich) W. Wilkening donated a 1000-pound bell to the church. He and his wife, Caroline née Reinhardt, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary that year having married on February 5, 1858, in Sedamsville, Cincinnati, OH. The cost of the bell was $1,110.00. The congregation funded and built the necessary bell tower at this time. The bell was cast by Strucksted Brothers of St. Louis MO in 1908. On one side of the bell is embossed "SOLI GLORIA DEO" (To God Most High alone is Glory). On the opposite side is embossed "NUN JAUCHZT DEM HERREN ALLE WELT KOMMT HER ZU SEINEM DIENST EUCH STELLT" (Evi Otte translated this as: "Now all the world cheers (shouts) to our Lord: Come and serve Him"). "NUN JAUCHZT DEM HERREN ALLE WELT" is a Lutheran hymn title. The last of the embossed inscription is: "CESCHENKT VON HEINRICH WILKENING DEN 5 APRIL A.D. 1908." Meaning: "Given by Heinrich Wilkening on April 5, 1908."
1910 Reverend Bullinger accepted a call to Concord, NE. Reverend Hellmann succeeded Reverend Bullinger as pastor. On the 24th of July the congregation celebrated the 25th year since the church structure was dedicated.
1915 Reverend Hellmann accepted a call and left Immanuel. In autumn Reverend A. F. Lutz was installed. He was first to introduce the English language into the church service.
1918 Reverend Lutz accepted a call, and the Reverend O.H.W. Hornbostel became pastor.
1919 A porch is added to the east side of the parsonage.
1920 The parsonage barn burned down. A new barn and hen house is constructed by the congregation.
1921 A heating furnace is installed.
1922 The interior of the church nave is renovated with a metal ceiling installed.
1926 At this time, the congregation voted for services to be conducted in German with alternate Sundays conducted in English: excepting on the High Sundays when German was to be the language used. The congregation built a new white frame Lutheran schoolhouse. The envelope system for offerings and donations was first used. The congregation had a voting membership of 55 voters.
1928 Reverend Hornbostel accepted a call to Duluth, KS. The Reverend H. Schmidt became the new pastor. On July 15, 1928, Immanuel observed the Golden Jubilee of its organization.
1929 The first regularly called parochial schoolteacher was Mr. Henry Osthoff, a graduate of Concordia Teachers College, Seward, NE.
1934 An electric light plant was installed for the schoolhouse where meetings were held and soon extended to the church.
1935 On July 21 the congregation observed the Golden Anniversary of its church’s dedication of July 19, 1885. Guest speakers were Victor Hoffman, Paul Hoyer and Joe Gerken.
1936 A two-manual Himers pipe organ was purchased from the Wangerine Organ Co. of Milwaukee, WI and installed for $985.00. This was a used organ which had been taken out of a theater.
1937 April 18: the Reverend H. Schmidt died of meningitis. He served the congregation for 9 years. He was laid to rest on April 20 at Wichita. The Reverend B. Loesel of Moundridge took over in the vacancy. On June 27, the Reverend A. L. Hoemann became pastor.
1938 In April, the congregation voted to purchase a house for the teacher (Teacherage) and move it to the church property. The house cost $800 and was dedicated on Sept. 25.
1940 German language services were abolished. On July 21 a revised German and English Constitution was adopted by the congregation and approved by the Synod.
1944 In April, the congregation voted to redecorate the interior of the church and paint and varnish all the woodwork.
1945 The congregation celebrated the 60th Anniversary of the church Dedication on July 22. In the same year, an old custom began to change, where the men sat on the left and the women and children sat on the right-hand side of the church. Mr. Weldo Groneman and his wife Ruth, along with Mr. Walter Vogts (who had just returned from serving in the war) and his wife Clara, were the first to sit together during church services.
1946 A water system was installed in the parsonage, teacherage and schoolhouse.
1947 This year a regular Sunday School was inaugurated at Immanuel.
1951 On July 15 the groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new church edifice. Construction begins on the new church. It is constructed just west of the old church building. While the new church is being built, the old church is still used for services.
1952 On January 13 Reverend Hoemann preached his farewell sermon and took a call to Brawley, CA.
On Feb. 17 the Reverend J.L. Strelow of Litchfield, IL was extended a call and installed as pastor He also served St. John's Lutheran Church in Moundridge.
On Feb. 10 the Reverend Arlen Bruns of Great Bend conducted the cornerstone laying service for the new church building.
On August 24 a farewell service was held in the old wood frame church. This building served the congregation for 67 years. During the following week the building was dismantled. The pipe organ and the 1,000-pound bell were moved from the old church to the new building.
On September 14 the present church was dedicated. The Rev. H.W. Munderloh of Russell, KS preached in the morning and the Reverend Arthur Traugott of Ellinwood, KS preached in the afternoon. In the evening, Prof. A.F. Droegemueller, organist of Zion Lutheran Church, Independence, KS gave a sacred concert on the completely remodeled pipe organ. Attendance for the three services was 1,500 people.
1953 Mrs. Mary Vogts offered the congregation 80 acres of wheat to harvest with the profits to go toward the church debt. The available pictures record the many church members who came together with combines, trucks, tractors and plows in a fine display of church camaraderie for a common goal.
On July 19 the 75th Anniversary of the congregation’s founding was celebrated. The Reverend Victor Hoffman and Reverend Alvin Hornbostel were speakers.
In October the congregation resolved to build a new Parsonage located just north of the present church building.
November 23: Reverend Strelow accepted a call. Pastor O.A. Bohnert was asked to fill the vacancy.
1954 On December 5 the Reverend Martin Helmer was installed as pastor, coming to us from Beatrice, NE.
1957 Sometime this year the Lutheran parochial school, grades 1-8, closes.
1962 In July Reverend Helmer accepted a call to Wellington, KS.
Reverend James H. Leidholdt was installed on September 23. He also served St. John’s congregation in Moundridge.
1966 On September 11 an open house was held at Shiloh Manor Nursing Home in Canton. Several church groups had been interviewed to manage the home. Immanuel congregation expressed an interest and agreed to enter into a contract for the operation of the home. The Home serves an important need in the community and is a splendid outlet for Christian service for many men and women of the church.
1968 Immanuel at this date had 221 communicants and 83 children for a total of 304 souls.
1969 Reverend Leidholdt accepted a call to Farrar, Missouri.
1970 Immanuel and St. John, Moundridge entered into a dual-parish arrangement where-by both congregations jointly called a pastor to serve both congregations.
1970 The Reverend Elmer C. Hethke was installed as pastor of the dual parish on April 25. He served until October 6, 1975.
1976 The Reverend Delmer J. Harders was installed on April 25, as a Vicar under the supervision of vacancy Pastor J.A. Hofius of Grace Lutheran Church in McPherson. This vicarage was part of a colloquy program by which Reverend Harders was being processed into the Ministerium of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. On November 15, 1976, Rev. Harders was certified by the Synodical Colloquy Board and eligible to receive a call. The dual parish of Immanuel and St. John’s, Moundridge subsequently called him to be their Pastor.
1977 Reverend Delmer Harders was installed as Pastor on March 6.
1978 The congregation celebrated one hundred years of grace and blessing on July 16. The Reverend James H. Leidholdt preached at the morning service and the Reverend Martin Helmer preached in the afternoon. The congregational membership numbered 352 souls with 264 communicant members.
The process of replacing the sanctuary tinted glass windows began with the order of three windows.
1979 Five more stained glass windows were installed this year.
1980 Reverend Harders accepted a call to Zion Lutheran Church, Pittsburg, KS. The Reverend John A. Hofius of McPherson served as vacancy pastor.
The dual parish called a Lutheran seminary graduate. On July 13, Reverend Russell L. Sommerfeld was ordained and installed.
1981 A building proposal for an education and fellowship addition was proposed but was tabled due to financial concerns.
1982 200 copies of the Lutheran Worship, a new synodical hymn book, were dedicated and used the first Sunday of June.
1983 The pipe organ was renovated by a former member Donald Hoyer of Hoyer Organ Co., Lawrence, KS.
1984 In August the stained-glass windows were completed in the sanctuary.
1985 An adult week-night Bible class began and was well received.
1986 On July 19 Reverend Sommerfeld preached his farewell sermon, having accepted a call to Arapahoe, NE.
Reverend Donn Williams accepted the call to Immanuel on April 15, and installed on May 25. During his tenure air conditioning and a replacement furnace were installed in the church. After Reverend William's vacancy, Reverend Martin Pullman of Winfield, Reverend David Schemm of St. John’s, Moundridge, plus others served as vacancy Pastors.
1995 On February 12, after considerable discussion, Immanuel dissolved the dual-parish agreement with St. John’s Moundridge, in order to call a Pastor to serve as their part-time Chaplin to the residents at Shiloh Manor Nursing Home and Immanuel.
Reverend Michael Sharp, from Wathena, KS accepted the call to Immanuel.
Pew cushions were installed in the Sanctuary. A new Bible class for younger adult members was organized under the name of Lightkeepers with a membership of about 30 people. For the first time in years the Pastor would lead the regular adult Bible class without serving the dual parish.
1999 Reverend Howard Patton, Kansas District President served as the morning and afternoon preacher.
On April 1 Immanuel dedicated a new building addition. The congregation utilized the Laborers for Christ program with many congregational members assisting in the work of building this 4500 sq. ft. addition. The new addition provides a ground level fellowship hall, 2 two handicap accessible bathrooms, kitchen, two classrooms, office, resource room, and custodial storage room.
A revised Cemetery Book and Plot-map of burial locations was created.
2003 Volunteers built a brick Cemetery Name sign, new sidewalks with a north entrance gate and two benches. The sign holds a mailbox which contains copies of the cemetery plot map.
2004 A farewell service for Reverend Michael Sharp, who accepted a call to Spencer, Iowa.
2005 Reverend Seth Meyer accepts the call to Immanuel. His installation service as Pastor is observed on June 26.
2006 Elma Bolin was the last resident to be moved out of Shiloh Manor Nursing Home, Canton on October 6. The closing of Shiloh Manor ended a forty-year partnership that benefited not only those who were residents but also members of Immanuel and the City of Canton.
2008 The congregation celebrated 130 years of grace and blessing on July 13th. There was also a celebration for the retirement of debt on the 1998-99 new Fellowship Hall addition.
2014 April 27th: Reverend Meyer preaches his last sermon, accepting a call to Holy Cross Lutheran, Goehner, NE.
In July, new carpet and tile was installed in the sanctuary, sacristy, organ room, narthex and nursery.
2014-15 The Reverend Richard Andrus and The Reverend John Pool serve as the vacancy pastors.
2015 June 28th: Mr. Brent Horne was installed as Vicar. He is a graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary of Fort Wayne, IN and recently retired from a career with the US Army. He arrives with his wife Rebecca and two daughters, all bringing musical gifts and experience.
2016 June 12th: Reverend Brent Horne is ordained and installed as Immanuel's Pastor.
2018 In January a new kneeling Communion rail installed. In September handicap door openers were installed on the south entrance to Fellowship Hall.
2019 During the Summer a new flagpole was erected at the cemetery entrance. New cemetery plot maps were designed and updated. Burials with family links and data were digitized as an Excel spreadsheet and made available via the church website. The genealogical records were updated, and the documents scanned and placed on OneDrive for access and backup. All documented burials were placed as memorials on the Find-A-Grave.com website with links to family members. Photos of the stones and some photos of the individuals along with the grave GPS coordinates were uploaded. Some biographies are included in the Find-A-Grave memorials.
In October the Church organ was upgraded and improved with state-of-the-art electronic hardware and software by Duane Hanks, to allow for the recording and re-playing of hymns, liturgies, preludes, postludes and offertories. Our skilled volunteers are now able to program the organ for services.
2020 Pandemic of COVID-19 causes several executive orders from the Governor of Kansas. Schools are closed and many businesses are curtailed and employees laid-off. Immanuel Church services are suspended following the March 18th Lent Service. Pastor Horne begins creating videos that are posted on the church web page. Worship Services with attendance resume in May. A new sidewalk is constructed in the NE area of the cemetery. Also, a new wood-crafted windbreak shelter and shelves are constructed for the kitchen door to make a safer entrance. Ornamental plant landscaping beds are added alongside the church and in the cemetery.
2021 For the first time the Men's Pancake and Sausage Supper is cancelled due to the rising number of COVID-19 infections in the State of Kansas. Worship services are Live Streamed via Vimeo for those who preferred not to attend due to the risks of infection.
November 28th Pastor Brent Horne performs his last Worship service at Immanuel, as he accepts a call to St. Paul's Lutheran, Malcolm, NE. Rev. Tim Meyer becomes the Vacancy Pastor, December 1st, 2021.
2022 The congregation calls the Rev. Troy Slater, and he accepts the pastorage. He comes with his wife and children from a Missouri congregation. His installation service is June 25th, and his first service is June 26. Rev Tim Meyer's last service was June 19th.
2023 The ILC Men's LLL and Youth's Pancake and Sausage Supper is revived on the evening of January 16th with enthusiastic attendance.