2008 Emmanuel’s Lutheran Plans Bicentennial Celebration
On Sunday July 30, 1809, Emmanuel’s Lutheran Church, along with St. John’s United Church of Christ (then known as Reformed) was organized. A log building to the front of the present Emmanuel’s church building, located at 30 W. Warren Street, was constructed in 1810. Both congregations used this building, alternating services each Sunday. By 1831 the Reformed Church was worshiping in a building at the site of the present St. John’s and the Lutherans had constructed the present building, which has been remodeled and expanded over the years.
Emmanuel’s is planning a year-long celebration as a congregation. It began on Sunday May 4 with a concert by the Dayton United Lutheran Chorale (DULC), comprised of singers from many Lutheran Churches in the greater Dayton area. Other special events have been planned, with at least one event each month. There will be evening programs like the DULC, including the Wittenberg University Choir, from Springfield, Ohio, and a musical group Captive Free, a part of Youth Encounter. Planned, but not yet confirmed are groups from Capital University, Columbus, Ohio, and Wright State University, and a Christmas organ concert. All of these events are open to the public. The theme of this celebration is Honoring the Past…Embracing the Future. Pastor Michael Havey said, “While we honor the past and those who were here before us, this celebration is about giving glory to God for the ministry of the congregation for these 200 years.” It is the hope of the church that throughout this year more people will come to know about the Lutheran faith tradition and of Emmanuel’s in particular. “Many people have heard of Lutherans but know very little about us and what we believe. We hope in this year for many that will change.”
The Lutheran Church traces its roots back almost 500 years to a monk in Wittenberg, Germany, named Martin Luther who challenged the church’s sale of indulgences, the sale of the merits of the saints. Instead he believed that our salvation was based solely upon the grace of God, received by us only through faith. From this began the Protestant Reformation. Today the Lutheran Church Worldwide numbers in the 10’s of millions, not only in Europe and America, but on all continents.
Pastor Havey in only the 14th pastor in the church’s 200 year history. Three pastors, Andrew Henkel, Albert Siebert, and Paul Bressler served the congregation 44, 38, and 26 years respectively. The long tenures are a testimony to the stability and faithfulness of the congregation. Pastor Havey has now served the congregation for 8 years. “In Germantown, we (Emmanuel’s) are known by many as the church with the bells. There are people who time their walks to be near the church at the time the carillon plays,” Havey said. The carillon plays Westminster Chimes every half hour from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. At noon, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. two hymns are played in addition to the hourly chimes. The steeple of the church is 140 feet to the top allowing the bells to be heard throughtout the village. This is seen as a gift everyday to the community.
