Immanuel began as a Sunday school chapel at 2561 Beniteau founded under the auspices of Bethlehem Lutheran Church later known as Augustana Lutheran. In 1919, Immanuel organized with 62 members; 22 others joined during the first 6 months making the total chartered membership 84.
In 1920, the first pastor of Immanuel, Rev. E.W. Magnusson was called and the first parsonage was built for $10,244. It was in 1927 when Immanuel negotiated and secured the plot of land on Dickerson. Construction begin on what is now our house of worship in 1938. The first service was held in the basement of the new building on Easter Sunday in 1939. Immanuel begin to expand with the addition of a parish hall in 1956 and the Chapel of His Presence in 1964.
Membership at Immanuel continued to grow. At the 15 year mark in 1934, Immanuel had 372 members, 826 members in 1944, and 1157 members at our 40 year mark in 1959. Through many pastors, vicars (pastor interns), and lay leaders, Immanuel was a church that serviced the community it was in. As the community dynamics changed going from a neighborhood of primarily white families to African American families, membership begin to decline. However, Immanuel was still servicing the community and being faithful to be what God had called the church to be.
In July 1998, Immanuel called Rev. Patrick Gahagen. Under his guidance, Immanuel begin to take on new endeavors such as Summer Programs, purchase of a van for transportation, and the "Planting the Mustard Seed" campaign. The goal of this campaign was to move Immanuel to the 21st century by bringing technology into the sanctuary and re-configuring the church . This included upgrading the sound system, installing a screen with projector, and installing a chair-lift to make our sanctuary easily wheelchair accessible.
In 2015, Pastor Gahagen left Immanuel to further his ministry with Journey of Faith Church, Baltimore Maryland.
Immanuel is currently part of a ground-breaking collaborative ministry format called The Detroit Cooperative Church. The DCC includes four Lutheran Churches doing ministry in the City: Immanuel Lutheran, Genesis Lutheran, Salem Memorial Lutheran, and Spirit of Hope Lutheran/Episcopal. The churches maintain their own identities and ministries while sharing Pastoral leadership and some resources. The ministry is led by three dynamic, spirit-filled Pastors who preach the Gospel of justice and advocacy in their own unique ways. The Rev. Matthew Bode, a Lutheran & Episcopal Pastor, The Rev. Lindsey Anderson, a Presbyterian Pastor, and The Rev. Michael Johnson, a Lutheran Pastor, form the Pastoral team. They rotate between the four churches and supervise the lay leadership and staffs of each congregation.
While Immanuel has been through many difficult transitions, we will continue to share the good news of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Looking forward to our 100th Anniversary in 2019, we call on the Holy Spirit to continue to transform us as we serve our changing and challenging community.
In 1920, the first pastor of Immanuel, Rev. E.W. Magnusson was called and the first parsonage was built for $10,244. It was in 1927 when Immanuel negotiated and secured the plot of land on Dickerson. Construction begin on what is now our house of worship in 1938. The first service was held in the basement of the new building on Easter Sunday in 1939. Immanuel begin to expand with the addition of a parish hall in 1956 and the Chapel of His Presence in 1964.
Membership at Immanuel continued to grow. At the 15 year mark in 1934, Immanuel had 372 members, 826 members in 1944, and 1157 members at our 40 year mark in 1959. Through many pastors, vicars (pastor interns), and lay leaders, Immanuel was a church that serviced the community it was in. As the community dynamics changed going from a neighborhood of primarily white families to African American families, membership begin to decline. However, Immanuel was still servicing the community and being faithful to be what God had called the church to be.
In July 1998, Immanuel called Rev. Patrick Gahagen. Under his guidance, Immanuel begin to take on new endeavors such as Summer Programs, purchase of a van for transportation, and the "Planting the Mustard Seed" campaign. The goal of this campaign was to move Immanuel to the 21st century by bringing technology into the sanctuary and re-configuring the church . This included upgrading the sound system, installing a screen with projector, and installing a chair-lift to make our sanctuary easily wheelchair accessible.
In 2015, Pastor Gahagen left Immanuel to further his ministry with Journey of Faith Church, Baltimore Maryland.
Immanuel is currently part of a ground-breaking collaborative ministry format called The Detroit Cooperative Church. The DCC includes four Lutheran Churches doing ministry in the City: Immanuel Lutheran, Genesis Lutheran, Salem Memorial Lutheran, and Spirit of Hope Lutheran/Episcopal. The churches maintain their own identities and ministries while sharing Pastoral leadership and some resources. The ministry is led by three dynamic, spirit-filled Pastors who preach the Gospel of justice and advocacy in their own unique ways. The Rev. Matthew Bode, a Lutheran & Episcopal Pastor, The Rev. Lindsey Anderson, a Presbyterian Pastor, and The Rev. Michael Johnson, a Lutheran Pastor, form the Pastoral team. They rotate between the four churches and supervise the lay leadership and staffs of each congregation.
While Immanuel has been through many difficult transitions, we will continue to share the good news of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Looking forward to our 100th Anniversary in 2019, we call on the Holy Spirit to continue to transform us as we serve our changing and challenging community.