Our Story ~ 1873-2025
Officially Established - July 14, 1878
A 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.
UAC - Unaltered Augsburg Confession
1873 By this year several German Lutheran families had arrived in Kansas, purchased or rented prime agricultural land and made their homes in the Spring Valley Township of McPherson County. Some immigrated to Kansas directly from Europe, while in other instances they arrived from the surrounding States. The Spring Valley Post Office was one mile south of the present church, which is seven miles south and one mile west of Canton. This was early in the development of the area. The first railroads would not reach the present site of Canton until 1879 and the town of Galva became incorporated in 1887. Two important western expansion and trading trails, the Santa Fe and the Cherokee (Arkansas-California), passed through the Spring Valley settlement area and converged at the Running Turkey Creek crossing. 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 Running Turkey creek. These German Lutheran families were pioneer settlers and essential to the development of the McPherson County economy.
This same year, the Reverend P.F German of Topeka came to this area and conducted Lutheran services on two successive Sundays. Six German Lutheran families soon 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 was headquartered 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 desired 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. Here a small church building was erected, a cemetery was laid out and burials took place. Pastor Hoffmann also held services in Newton.
1878 On July 14th the congregation of 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 left, after 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 Immanuel Lutheran 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. Loyal family leaders decided not to resort to courts or pursue a legal battle. Rather, these members kept the name "Immanuel Lutheran Church" and looked for another location. In time, those who split to join the anabaptist Holdeman Mennonite church, failed to build on the land they had claimed, and abandoned the cemetery. That cemetery eventually went under the care of Meridian Township and now officially carries 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. The site was 7 miles south and 1 mile west of Canton. Contributions quickly accumulated to $665 for construction of a 16 X 26 ft parsonage with a 16 X 16 ft addition for the purpose of a school and catechumen instruction. The building was completed for $616.41, with the remaining funds used to build a livestock barn.
1882 A cemetery was laid out on the southwest corner of the new 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, was reinterred into lot 63 of the new church cemetery.
During the first years, public worship services were held in the townships' (Spring Valley and Meridian) public school houses.
1885 In January, the congregation voted to build a church on the new property and gathered pledges. The first church building at corner of what is now 26th Ave and Cimarron Rd, was dedicated on July 19. The cost was $1,660.18 with a wood frame structure of 30 x 50 feet, with 16 ft tall sides and a 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 and adopted the Unaltered Augsburg Confession.
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, performed mission work in area communities such as Strong City; Middle Creek, in Chase County; Newton; Hillsboro and in 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 the 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. The bell was cast by Stuckstede Bell Foundry of Stuckstede 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. That autumn, Reverend A. F. Lutz was installed. He was the first to introduce the English language into the church services.
1918 Reverend Lutz accepted a call and the Reverend O.H.W. Hornbostel became pastor.
1919 A porch was added to the east side of the parsonage.
1920 The parsonage barn burned down. A new barn and a henhouse were constructed by the congregation.
1921 A heating furnace was installed.
1922 The interior of the church nave was renovated and a metal ceiling installed.
1926 The congregation voted for services to be conducted in German and on alternating Sundays, in English - excepting on the High Sundays when German was 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 then extended to the church.
1935 On July 21 the congregation observed the Golden Anniversary of the church’s dedication of July 19, 1885. Guest speakers were Victor Hoffman, Paul Hoyer and Joe Gerken.
1936 A two manuals Hinners pipe organ was purchased from the Wangerine Organ Co. of Milwaukee, WI and installed for $985. This organ was salvaged from a decommissioned public theater and has been in service for 88 years (2025).
1937 On April 18th the Reverend H. Schmidt died of meningitis. He served the congregation for 9 years and was laid to rest in Wichita, on April 20. 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 moved it to the church property. The house cost $800 and was dedicated on Sept. 25.
1940 The High 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 paint and varnish all the woodwork and improve the interior of the church.
1945 The congregation celebrated the 60th Anniversary of the church Dedication on July 22. ¶Now, an old custom began to change. Traditionally 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 A regular Sunday School was inaugurated at Immanuel.
1951 On July 15 the groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new church edifice and construction began, just west of the old church building. While the new church was being built, the old church was 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 newly constructed 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 nursing home served an important need in the community and was a splendid outlet for Christian service by many men and women of the church.
1968 Immanuel had 221 communicants and 83 children: 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 the congregations jointly called a pastor to serve the 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 a Centennial 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 nave tinted glass windows began with the order of three windows.
1979 Five more stained glass windows were installed in the nave.
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 the former member Donald Hoyer, of the Hoyer Organ Co., Lawrence, KS.
1984 In August, additional stained-glass windows were placed in the nave.
1985 An adult week-night Bible class began and was well received.
1986 On July 19 Reverend Sommerfeld accepted a call to Arapahoe, NE and preached his final sermon at Immanuel.
Reverend Donn Williams accepted the call to Immanuel on April 15, and was 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 Church.
Reverend Michael Sharp, from Wathena, KS accepted the call to Immanuel.
Pew cushions were installed in the church nave. 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 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, Pastor's office, resource room, kitchen, two classrooms, two handicap accessible bathrooms, and a custodial storage room. Reverend Howard Patton, Kansas District President served as the morning and afternoon preacher.
A revised Cemetery Book and Plot-map of burial locations was created.
2003 Volunteers built a brick Cemetery Name sign, new sidewalks were laid, two benches placed, and an entrance gate erected. 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 Fellowship Hall addition.
2014 April 27th: Reverend Meyer preached his last sermon, accepting a call to Holy Cross Lutheran, Goehner, NE.
In July, new carpet and tile were installed in the nave, 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 was a graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary of Fort Wayne, IN and recently retired from a career with the US Army. He arrived with his wife Rebecca and their two daughters: all bringing musical gifts and years of career musical performance experience.
2016 June 12th: Reverend Brent Horne was ordained and installed as Immanuel's Pastor.
2018 In January a new kneeling Communion rail was installed in the chancel. 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 XL 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 headstones and a number of photos of the individuals, along with the grave GPS coordinates, were uploaded. Many biographies are included in the Find-A-Grave memorials. Family members can now update genealogical information and create family links.
¶ During October, the 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. Skilled volunteers are now able to program the organ for congregational hymns and the liturgical portions of the services.
2020 Pandemic of COVID-19 caused 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 created videos that were posted on the church web page. Worship Services with attendance resumed in May. A new sidewalk was constructed in the NE area of the cemetery. A new wood-crafted shelter and shelves were constructed for the kitchen door to make for a safer entrance. Ornamental plant landscaping beds are added alongside the church and by the cemetery sign and flagpole.
2021 For the first time since its inception in the early 1950's, the January, Lutheran Laymen League - 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. ¶ Subsequent to damage from many high winds and several hailstorms, a new roof is contracted and installed over the nave, Fellowship Hall and parsonage.
November 28th: Pastor Brent Horne performed his last Worship service at Immanuel. He had accepted a call to St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Malcolm, NE, near to Seward, where their daughters attend Concordia Lutheran College on full music scholarships. Rev. Tim Meyer began as the Vacancy Pastor, on December 1st, 2021.
2022 Rev. Tim Meyer's last service was June 19th as the congregation called the Rev. Troy Slater. He accepted the pastorage. He came with his wife, Julee and adult children from a Missouri LCMS congregation. His installation service was June 25th, and his first service, June 26.
¶ Exterior security cameras were installed.
2023 The Men's LLL and the Immanuel Youth's Pancake and Sausage Supper was reinstated on the evening of January 16th with enthusiastic attendance. The voting members committed to purchase and have professionally installed, new windows in the parsonage. New playground equipment with professional installation was purchased and placed in the safe and sheltered area between the church and the parsonage. New Christmas decorations are procured and hung in the sanctuary and Fellowship Hall.
2024 The last parsonage windows are installed, and Pastor and Mrs. Slater host the congregation to view the finished results.