Church History

Immanuel Lutheran Church of Rosenthal has a long and rich history of God's hand on our church in Parkland County. With over 130 years of history, our church has seen remarkable growth and expansion. From faithful families who contributed to the building of our church to dedicated pastors who have led the congregation through an ever-changing world, the presence of God has been evident throughout. We believe that God has been faithful in the past and will continue to use Immanuel Lutheran Church to help and walk with people in their faith journey.

God's Faithfulness for over 130 years to Immanuel Lutheran Church of Rosenthal.

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them”

Matthew 18:20

1891 - Pastor Pempeit was the first pastor, organizing St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Spruce Grove in June and Immanuel Lutheran Church of Rosenthal in the fall. He served until 1898. Worship services were held in homes.

1897 - Immanuel Rosenthal joined the German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Manitoba. Services were held in the first Rosenthal School, built in 1895.

1898 - Pastor Poensgen arrived, served until 1900. The congregation became self-supporting.

1900 - Pastor Runge arrived, served until 1902.

1902 - Canadian Pacific Railway gave 40 acres for the new church.

1903 - Pastor Goos arrived, served until 1913. New log church completed with volunteer labor.

1906 - The first train came to Stony Plain. The private company that built the lines was called the Edmonton, Yukon & Pacific. On

May 9, 1909 this company was officially taken over by the Canadian Northern Railway (C.N.R)

1908 - Stony Plain became an official town on December 10. Population over 1,000.

1914 - First Word War began. Pastor Daechsel arrived, served until 1915.

1915 - Pastor Poetzch arrived, served until 1935.

1918 - Spanish Flue epidemic took many lives.

1919 - Present cemetery developed.

1924 - Congregation voted to build new church at a cost of $1800.00.

1925 - New church completed and dedicated.

1936 - Pastor Bergbusch arrived, served until 1949. Rosenthal Lutheran Church Women (Ladies Aid) organized. Ladies sewed alter cloths and chancel drapes. Bell installed in bell tower.

1938 - Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Stony Plain, organized, making it a three-point parish.

1939 - World War II lasted until 1945.

1941 - Immanuel celebrated 50th anniversary.

1948 - Congregation sold 30 acres and kept 10 acres.

1949 - Pastor Wilke arrived, served until 1954.

1952 - Sunday School began.

1954 - Pastor Hartig arrived, served until 1957.

1957 - German service discontinued.

1958 - Pastor Scheopp arrived, served until 1965.

1963 - Church stuccoed.

1965 - Pastor Carlson arrived, served until 2002. When Pastor Carslon arrived to service, the attendance was 15.

1966 - 75th Anniversary celebration.

1967 - Canada's Centennial. Immanuel participated in Alberta Synod projects.

1969 - Pastor Carlson appointed Minister of Youth for the Synod. Youth Expo event at the Skyline Hotel in Ottawa. Greeting card ministry began.

1970 - Immanuel became a one-point parish served by Pastor Carlson. Membership 82 adults and 38 children. Pastor Carlson began the Chimo Youth Retreat Center in Edmonton. Synod Youth Expo event held at Gambier Island, B.C.

1971 - Last Youth Expo event held at Lesser Slave Lake, Alberta. Immanuel celebrates 80th Anniversary in October.

1973 - Average worship attendance 40.

1977 - Pastor Carlson resigned from the Chimo Youth Retreat Centre. Bible studies began.

1978 - First Passover Sedar meal with 12 people.

1979 - Congregation voted to add on to church.

1980 - Lutheran Church Women (LCW) discontinued. Immanuel Prayer Group began meeting each week to pray for the Edmonton Billy Graham Crusade. New addition started in April and dedicated in August. Old church renovated into offices. First well drilled, outhouses moved away. Gas lines, sound systems and telephone installed. Baldwin Studio II organ purchased. Average attendance 112.

1981 - 90th anniversary celebrated. Youth Co-ordinator hired for joint District Parish Youth Group (4 Lutheran churches).

1982 - Pastor Carlson accepted the position of Evangelism Outreach (E)) Co-ordinator for the Western Canada Synod (B.C. and Alberta). Youth spent one week at Wilderness Ranch. Social ministry to Rehoboth and Everglades Lodge. Nursery roll began. Congregation sponsored Vietnamese refugees.

1983 - First church van purchased. New sign in front of church. New church library. First Men's breakfast. First Holy Spirit Seminar held at Immanuel.

1984 - Average worship was 140. Parking lot expanded. First Gestetner paper copier and first tape copier purchased.

1985 - Guy Scholz began work as Lay Assistant, until 1987. Began taping Sunday Sermons. Evening services began at Trinity Lutheran in Onoway. Signing ministry for the hearing impaired. Wheelchair ramp built. Jarvis Lake youth event.

1986 - New Kawai grand piano purchased. Nursery renovated. Food Bank Ministry. First paid secretary. Christian Service Brigade for boys. Plan 5 implemented (1986 - 1991).

1987 - First Renewal Camp at Kuriakos, Sylvan Lake, Alberta. New organizational structure with Ministry Co-ordinators. Christmas parcels sent to children in South America.

1988 - New addition provided enlarged sanctuary, entrance and Sunday School rooms. Average Sunday attendance 173. First paid custodian (10 hours/week). Christmas presents sent to LAMP (Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots). Newer church van purchased.

1989 - New addition dedicated on February 5. New pews purchased. Christmas gifts to Mexico. Acquired 2 wings of old Meridian Lodge. Youth Mission trip to Mexico.

1990 - Retreat Centre in progress. Missionaries to Ecuador and Vanuatu.

1991 - Retreat Centre completed and dedicated at 100th anniversary celebrations. Intern John Grauer arrived from Saskatoon Seminary (September to August 1992). Average attendance 171. Pioneer Girls and 50+ Group (Seniors' ministry) began. Sponsored Vietnamese refugees. Road past church (79th Avenue) paved.

1992 - Average worship attendance 197. Second morning worship service added (8:30am, later changed to 9:00am) East side of church landscaped. First computer purchased. Intern Boyd and Jacqueline Hopkins arrived (September 1992 to August 1993).

1993 - First Leadership Training Institute (LTI) held just before the Holy Spirit Seminar. Immanuel participated in March for Jesus in Edmonton. Youth team to Ecuador.

1994 - Mortgage paid off. Counseling ministry began. Average attendance 189. Immanuel Ministry to Prisons and Institutions (IMPI) until 1996.

1995 - Pastor Boyd and Jacqueline Hopkins arrived to serve at Immanuel until 2001.

1996 - Pastor Carlson elected Chairperson of the Synod of Alberta and Territories, until 2000. Average Attendance 245.

1997 - ALPHA training begun. Congregation authorized building Committee to proceed with fund raising for the construction of new church structure. First Parish Nurse.

1998 - Youth Pastor Steve Trotter arrived, served until 2002. First Alpha course at Immanuel. Cowboy Randy Ministries became a satellite ministry of Immanuel. Lutheran Renewal - Canada (LRC) now based at Immanuel.

1999 - Construction of new facility began. Average worship attendance 270.

2000 - New sanctuary and gymnasium dedicated on January 9. School bus purchased. Immanuel Healing Center began. Chiropractic office opens.

2001 - Immanuel Lutheran Church of Rosenthal celebrates 110th Anniversary. Youth mission trip to Malawi, Africa.

* Church History Information from 1891 - 2001 Book: "New Shoots from Old Roots" Joan and Glen Carlson