A Bit of History
The First Evangelical Lutheran Church has grown from a very humble
beginning in 1784 with a small group of people worshipping in the log
school near the public spring in old St. Clair Cemetery (now St. Clair
Park) to the present large congregation worshipping in a beautiful brick
and stone edifice. The cornerstone for the present building was laid on
August 11, 1883. The congregation has maintained, renovated, and
beautified the building which they inherited and added the Education
Building in 1959.
Twenty
pastors have been called to this congregation from 1784 to 2006 and 24
members have entered the full-time services of the church. In the early
years the German language was used for worship services but in the late
1860’s English began to be used. A pipe organ was installed in 1845 –
the first church in our community to have one. The third organ was
installed in 1984 as part of the Church’s bicentennial celebration.
Our
forefathers led by the Holy Spirit laid the sturdy foundation on which
succeeding generations built and expanded the ministries of the
congregation. Under God’s guidance First Church will continue with a
lively and faithful ministry in Christ’s name.