ABOUT OUR CONGREGATION

Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Manchester, New Hampshire is a member congregation of the New England District of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.

The congregation was founded in 1895, when a small community of German Lutherans began meeting together out of their common desire to establish a place where they could worship as a group. Under the leadership of Rev. Frederick C. Wuhr of the Boston Pastoral Conference, our congregation met for the first time to worship on June 24, 1895 under the name "Der Evangelish Lutherischen Immanuels Gemeinde."

Establishing itself very quickly in the German community of Manchester, the congregation called and installed its first pastor, Rev. Ernst Zimmermann on August 14 of the same year. For the first nine years of our existence, worship services were held on the second floor of the Knights of Pythias Hall. In August of 1900, a lot was purchased from the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company. Located in the heart of the German community in West Manchester, this lot at the corner of Conant and Dysan Street would become the site of our first church building.

Progress was slow in building our first church, but by the Lord’s blessings, the cornerstone of our first Church building was laid in August 1904, and in December of the same year, the first floor was dedicated. That building served our congregation well for the next 60 years.

By the early 1960’s, many things had changed. The German community in West Manchester had disappeared, and many new subdivisions began to grow up in the outer sections of Manchester, especially in the southeast corner of the city. With a vision for the future, and with a great step of faith, a three-an-a-half acre parcel of land was purchased in June 1963 at the corner of Weston and Huse Roads. The "old" church building was sold to the Knights of Columbus, and ground breaking for our present church facility took place in November 1964. The cornerstone for the church was laid on June 26, 1965, and the building was dedicated on September 26, 1965.

Because of continued growth, and the need to enlarge our facilities, an added fellowship hall and educational wing were added in 1984. These facilities serve us well in the ministry that has been taking place now in the Manchester and surrounding communities for over 100 years in the name, and to the glory and honor on Jesus Christ.

Today, Immanuel is served by The Rev. Robert H. Piller. He has served as the pastor of our congregation since July, 1995.