Immanuel Lutheran Church
                     of Almelund, Minnesota

120 Years in 2007

The congregation of Immanuel Lutheran Church has been "rooted and growing in faith" since the first meeting was held in Carl Gustaf Schander's home in Amador Township Jan. 31, 1887 to organize a Lutheran church at Almelund.

The Rev. J.J. Frodeen, pastor of the Chisago Lake Lutheran Church of Center City, served as chairman of that meeting with John Lindquist being elected as first secretary of the congregation.  Forty-five were entered on the first membership roll.

In February of that same year, a second meeting was held, adding members to the congregation and approving the building of a 60' x 80' church building with 18' walls.  All labor was to be donated.

By March, the congregation was fully organized and the first trustees were elected. 

On May 13, a fourth congregational meeting was held on the site of the proposed church and Willie Carlson of Center City accepted an open contract to build the church for $490, including everything except the plastering, which John Jonason promised to do for 18 cents per square yard.

The first church was constructed without a steeple or sacristy.

Student C.J. Edman served the congregation during the summer of 1887, he was the first to preach the Word in the newly organized congregation.

In September, a cemetery plot was designated, with a $1 reservation cost per lot. 

Sunday School, with 28 children, was conducted seven months of the first year.

Total membership of the congregation at the end of the first year was 114.

There were few roads so families walked through the woods following logging trails to church for worship.

The women sat on the left side, the men on the right.

The pastor was president of the Ladies' Aid, the church council and superintendent of the Sunday school. 

Electricity was installed in the church in 1918.