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First Immanuel Lutheran Church-- a brief history
First Immanuel today continues to be a thriving Lutheran congregation which has served the northwest Portland area and beyond for more than 130 years. It was founded on January 31, 1879 as the Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Church and the first service was given by Pastor Peter Carlson on September 14, 1879 at the Trinity chapel on 5th street between Oak and Pine. Initial services were in Swedish. There were 23 charter members of the congregation.
In 1880, the name was changed to Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel Congregation. In 1881 property on the south side of Burnside between 10th and 11th was acquired for $1,500. In 1882, the church structure at this site was completed.
In 1900 the church bell (602 pounds) was rung for the first time on Easter Sunday. It was later moved to the current tower at 19th and NW Irving St.
In 1905 the decision was made to sell the property at 10th and Burnside and construction on a new building was begun at the present location NW 19th and Irving St. The current building was dedicated in 1906. In 1909 the church founded Emanuel Hospital and the Lutheran synod offices remain at the hospital site to this day.
In 1913 an organ fund was established and in 1918 the first pipe organ was installed with additional support from the Andrew Carnegie Corporation in New York. In 1975 the current pipe organ was installed in the sanctuary.
First Immanuel has celebrated numerous anniversaries since its founding in 1879, most recently the 125th anniversary a few years ago. While services in Swedish are in the past (though there is a Christmas day Swedish service even today), and the number of members of Swedish heritage has grown smaller, evidence of the Norwegian heritage can be found throughout the church. The beautiful stained glass windows in the sanctuary are inscribed in Swedish. Other Swedish customs are honored during the year at the church.
While First Immanuel honors its past, it also looks forward to the future with an open invitation to all who are looking for a church home today in this new century.
First Immanuel today continues to be a thriving Lutheran congregation which has served the northwest Portland area and beyond for more than 130 years. It was founded on January 31, 1879 as the Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Church and the first service was given by Pastor Peter Carlson on September 14, 1879 at the Trinity chapel on 5th street between Oak and Pine. Initial services were in Swedish. There were 23 charter members of the congregation.
In 1880, the name was changed to Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel Congregation. In 1881 property on the south side of Burnside between 10th and 11th was acquired for $1,500. In 1882, the church structure at this site was completed.
In 1900 the church bell (602 pounds) was rung for the first time on Easter Sunday. It was later moved to the current tower at 19th and NW Irving St.
In 1905 the decision was made to sell the property at 10th and Burnside and construction on a new building was begun at the present location NW 19th and Irving St. The current building was dedicated in 1906. In 1909 the church founded Emanuel Hospital and the Lutheran synod offices remain at the hospital site to this day.
In 1913 an organ fund was established and in 1918 the first pipe organ was installed with additional support from the Andrew Carnegie Corporation in New York. In 1975 the current pipe organ was installed in the sanctuary.
First Immanuel has celebrated numerous anniversaries since its founding in 1879, most recently the 125th anniversary a few years ago. While services in Swedish are in the past (though there is a Christmas day Swedish service even today), and the number of members of Swedish heritage has grown smaller, evidence of the Norwegian heritage can be found throughout the church. The beautiful stained glass windows in the sanctuary are inscribed in Swedish. Other Swedish customs are honored during the year at the church.
While First Immanuel honors its past, it also looks forward to the future with an open invitation to all who are looking for a church home today in this new century.
Cornerstone