Immanuel traces its roots back to the German settlers of St. Louis County who began to organize and worship as a congregation of the German Evangelical Free Church. This church was an attempt by the German government to force the Lutheran and Reformed churches to merge as a single entity. Old beliefs die hard, however, and the Lutheran families of St. Louis County desired to hear the Word and receive the Sacrament in accordance with their understanding of Scriptures. In March 1844, 21 families joined together to form a new congregation, and held their first worship service in the home of a founding family on June 9, 1844. A little log cabin church was completed on property donated by a founding family on Warson Road just south of what is now Olive Blvd.

A larger church was soon needed, and so property was purchased just east of Warson on Olive for that purpose. The second church served the congregation from 1883 until 1955, when the third church building (adjacent to the second) was completed. The school on site was a two-room school for many years, but a multi-room building – expanded many times – has served families of the church and community for decades. In 1999, a day-care center immediately adjacent to the property was purchased which now houses our pre-school and lower elementary grades.

As the region began to develop, Immanuel reached out to the neighborhoods flourishing all around it. In 2000, that commitment to share the Gospel took an unexpected turn – an intentional outreach to the ethnic Chinese of the community. What began as a cooperative effort with the Missouri District soon became the sole responsibility of Immanuel under the leadership of a full-time mission pastor. That ministry continues to be used by God to bring many to faith, some of whom have returned to China as witnesses to Jesus Christ!

Immanuel today… is a warm and caring family of believers who understand their great need for a Savior and rejoice that God has provided that Savior in Jesus Christ. The congregation has grown to some 400 families and draws from a wide range of neighborhoods and towns surrounding it. Our day school provides a quality religious education to over 170 students, 3-year olds through 8^th grade, and serves to keep our congregation young and vibrant. Immanuel today continues to believe with our forefathers that we are drawn to the cross and sent to the world!