Missionaries began visiting Kearny County in 1888 to preach to Lutheran settlers here. The first was the Rev. J.H. Hamm of Bellefont, Kansas who was followed by seven others over the next several years. Although the times and conditions were not ideal, the missionaries and the Lutheran families did not mind. Services were conducted in school houses, private residences or whatever place was best suited for them. Some services were conducted in Deerfield and others in Lakin. During these years, “the little flock of Lutherans” steadily grew and were anxious to organize into a congregation.
In 1906, the services of the Rev. Theo Arndt of Lydia were acquired. Since Rev. Arndt was able to come more often than the missionaries before him, new hope filled the members and they could envision the possibilities that lie ahead. On April 15, 1906, a constitution was accepted and signed by 15 charter members with Henry Entz, William Meyer and Peter Schroeder serving as the first elders.
Desiring a suitable church home, the decision to build was made at the May 27 meeting that year. At first the congregation decided to erect a school, but in a meeting held that fall, they opted instead to build a church. The congregation was given additional encouragement to take this step when the U.S. Sugar and Land Company offered an acre of land ½ mile north of Deerfield and $100 in cash towards construction. Using the name, “Deutsche Evangelische Lutherische Immanuels Gemeinde U.A.C.” which means Lutheran Immanuel Congregation of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession, the congregation incorporated on May 20, 1908. (The name was later listed with the Secretary of State as the Evangelical Lutheran Emmanuel Church.)
With additional financial help from the Mission Board of the Kansas District and a number of Christians outside of Deerfield who were endeared to the community, the church became a reality and was dedicated October 18, 1908. The first resident pastor, the Rev. A.C. Dubberstein, was welcomed in the fall of 1909. For many years, services were conducted alternately in German and in English in the small wooden frame church which was heated by a pot belly stove. In 1934, the church was wired for electricity, and lights were installed. Due to World War II and the political climate of that time, the decision was made in 1942 to conduct all Sunday services only in English.
As the years passed by, weather and time took its toll on the church building, and the congregation outgrew the little church. Henry and Emma Molz donated a church site east of City Park on Deerfield’s Main Street in 1946. Work began on a new church in 1949, and cornerstone laying ceremonies were held June 25, 1950. Lovely springtime weather prevailed on Sunday, April 8, 1951, when a large crowd attended a full day of dedication festivities.
The new church featured Gothic-style open rafters with an exterior finish of light brick veneer. Seating capacity of the main auditorium was approximately 125 persons. A kitchen, assembly room and rest rooms were located in the basement. Members of the building committee included chairman Leland Waechter, August Kettler, Arnold Kettler, William Kueker, Elmer Bisterfelt, Henry Molz, Clarence Ploeger and Pastor P.H.C. Stengel, ex officio. Mel Krebs of Garden City was the contractor and V. Preston Terrill of Kansas City the architect. A building committee made up of Eldor Bentrup, Otis Molz, Clarence Meyers, Alvin Coerber and Harold Purdy were put in charge of a new educational wing which was added in 1964.
Late in 1990, a proposal to sell the church and build in Lakin passed by a 2-to-1 margin. This action was not only to satisfy Lakin members who made up the majority of the congregation but also in hopes that a larger community would provide a better opportunity for future growth. While the move was not welcomed by all members of the church, the project hinged on whether or not the church building at Deerfield sold. It did.
Groundbreaking ceremonies for the third and current Lutheran Church were held at the Mattie Street and Bopp Boulevard location in Lakin on Sunday, April 12, 1992. Keith Fillmore of Garden City was the architect, and Laborers For Christ, a Lutheran organization of volunteers who dedicated themselves to doing missionary work for minimum wage, did much of the construction work alongside congregation members and other local volunteers. Together with their spouses, nine LFC workers from all over the Midwest helped with the Lakin project.
Immanuel Lutheran Church was dedicated Dec. 6, 1992, St. Nicholas Day. Featuring beautiful limestone work, the church offers 8,378 square feet of space on the main floor and seating for approximately 176 in the sanctuary. A choir loft overlooking the sanctuary, fellowship hall, kitchen and education wing are also part of the facility. In addition to the Lutheran congregation, Grace Church of Lakin is also currently using the church for worship.
SOURCES: History of Kearny County Vols. I & II; archives of The Lakin Independent, Lakin Investigator, Kearny County Advocate and Garden City Telegram; lcms.org, and Museum archives.