IMMANUEL: GOD WITH US

IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH: A BRIEF HISTORICAL SKETCH

The first official visit ever made to Greenwood, S. C. by any Lutheran minister of the Gospel was made by the Rev. S. T. Hallman, DD on January 9, 1902; and the first service was held in the same month and year, in the County Court House."...

"For several years the South Carolina Synod had urged the importance of a Synodical Missionary. On November 8, 1900 the Rev. S. T. Hallman, DD, was employed and instructed to visit Greenwood, Spartanburg, and other points, with a view to the establishment of churches wherever necessary and possible. He visited Spartanburg, Greenwood, and Saluda and then the Committee directed him to concentrate his efforts on Greenwood and Spartanburg. This he did, holding services twice each month at these places."...

"Having regularly kept up these services until September 21, 1902, it was thought proper to take specific action looking to permanent work; and, so, a partial organization was effected on that date."...

"In 1908 a lot was purchased costing $1400: and on the 17th of June, 1910, the cornerstone of the church was laid by Dr. C. A. Freed, President of the South Carolina Lutheran Synod, who also made the address. The building was completed in September, 1910. The total cost being about $5,200. The first service was held in the new church October 2, 1910."

This brief history is from the writings of the Reverend S. T. Hallman.

On June 2, 1912 Pastor Hallman closed his pastoral work. He was followed by the Rev. J. D. Kinard DD. The Rev. Dr. J. D. Kinard was the first resident pastor of Immanuel, serving the congregation faithfully until June 1, 1918. During the summer of 1919, a two story seven room frame parsonage was built beside the church. The value of both church and parsonage at the time was estimated to be $13,500.

In May, 1920 The Rev. A. J. Bowers became pastor of the congregation and was the first pastor to live in the parsonage. During his ministry a mission congregation was organized at Clinton, South Carolina and was served by Dr. Bowers, who preached there on Sunday afternoon. The Clinton congregation remained a part of the Greenwood-Clinton Pastorate until the end of the year 1938. Dr. Bowers continued to serve as pastor of Immanuel until March 1923 when he resigned because of poor health.

January 1, 1924 the Rev. Muller R. Wingard came to Greenwood to become pastor of Immanuel. The temperature was 6 degrees!

On November 18, 1934 a pipe organ was purchased from Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Columbia at a cost of $500; $250 of this amount was paid by Ebenezer Church as a gift to this mission church. In 1938 an addition was added to the church and to the parsonage. This addition to the church consisted of five rooms and a hall on the ground floor and a large assembly room and kitchen on the second floor at a cost of $1,925 exclusive of painting, plumbing and wiring. A loan of $1,300 was made from a local business firm. All indebtedness was paid in January, 1943.

At the end of 1938 the Greenwood-Clinton pastorate was dissolved. The work of the Greenwood Mission together with the work of the newly organized Elberton, Georgia congregation formed a new parish. This Greenwood-Elberton parish continued through the year 1942. On April 12, Immanuel became a self-contained congregation with the services of a full time pastor. It was not until January 1, 1948 however that Immanuel became fully self-supporting.

In the last months of 1944 many improvements were made to the church. The Ladies Aid Society gave the stained glass window of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. The money to purchase this window was earned by having a hot dog and hamburger booth at the local Fair for several years. This beautiful window was brought from the old church to the new one and is still in place over the altar. Two members gave light fixtures for the church auditorium, another member built and installed a system of chimes in the tower. Two other members gave new hangings for the altar, pulpit and lectern. The Luther League gave a new pulpit Bible.

In 1947 Immanuel elected Mr. H.C. Yonce Treasurer of the Building Fund. By 1951 the Fund amounted to $6,723.60. A Congregational meeting was held and it was decided to purchase the triangular lot between East Creswell and McLees St. The cost of the lot was $10,000. Special offerings were asked for the first Sunday of June and July to help pay for this lot. On July 1 there was enough money to pay for the entire cost of the lot and balance of $2,001.53 in the Treasury. This balance was to be the beginning of a fund for the building of the new church.

Friday, February 8, 1952, the parsonage, church building and lot at Oak and Monument Streets were sold to the Masonic organizations for $25,000.00. Immanuel was permitted to use the church for the next six months without charge. After six months a charge of $75.00 per month would be paid as long as the church was used.

The Service for laying the corner-stone was held on a Sunday afternoon, June 15, 1952 which lacked two days of being the 42nd anniversary of the laying of the corner-stone for the first church at Oak and Monument. The last service in the old church at Oak and Monument Streets was held on Sunday December 7, 1952. One week later, December 14, the first Service was held in the new church.

The cost of the new church was $52,500. This sum included the cost of the church furniture, which was $7,213.71 and the cost of the Wurlitzer organ which was $4,430.50. Gifts amounting to over $2,500 given by members of the congregation included chimes, brass ware for the chancel, and kitchen equipment. The replacement value of the new church at contract price, including the lot was estimated to be $135,000.00 at its completion.

In the fall of 1954 The Rev. Frank Roof and his family moved to Greenwood and on October 4 Pastor Roof delivered his first sermon here. They rented a ten room house on the corner of Durst and Cambridge. In the cold winters 10 tons of coal were burned to heat the house! Pastor Roof was installed on December 12, 1954.

In January of 1955, a parsonage was purchased for $13,000. It was conveniently located within walking distance of the church. The Roofs moved into their new home the middle of February.

Early in 1955 publication began of a monthly church paper,"Immanuel's Messenger". Pastor Roof was publisher, editor, proof reader and printer with the help of his wife Mary.

Week-day Church School known as The Children of the Light Brigade was held once a week from September to May. It was discontinued in 1974.

As part of Social Ministry in 1975 Immanuel co-sponsored a Vietnamese family.

Pastor Roof retired on December 31, 1975. At retirement Pastor Roof was given the parsonage. He died in 1984. His widow, Mrs. Mary Crumley Roof, still lives in the family home.

From January 1977 to August of 1977 Immanuel was without a Pastor. During this time Immanuel member, the Rev. William Eubanks, served as Vice-Pastor.

August 15, 1976 The Rev. William B. Trexler became Pastor of Immanuel. After looking about, Pastor Trexler, his wife, Karla and son Jonathan found an old house to their liking, bought it and moved in at 123 Bailey Circle. Under his leadership lay assistants in worship were trained and installed to increase variety in worship and support lay ministry. The decision to enter the LCA Intern program was made and an intern arrived in August of 1977. The importance liturgy was emphasized with banners, processional torches, altar frontal and prayer desk. A Christmas Eve candlelight communion service was instituted. The Church Council had its first retreat at Camp Kinard.

The following people aided in the gathering of this material: Mrs. Charles Klotz, Mrs. Muller Wingard, Mrs. Ray Draeger,Pastor William Trexler, Mrs. Mazie Dalton, Mr. Claude Sligh.