Our History

Our History

What is now Immanuel Lutheran Church was organized August 26th, 1871 at the home of John Stenstrom.  The constitution of the Swedish Augustana Synod was adopted and the congregation was named “Blooming Prairie Congregation.”  Services were held in homes of the charter members about once every three weeks.  It was not until 1886 that the first church was built about ½ mile north of Dunnell.  At this time there were 47 communicants and 37 children.  In the fall of 1895 a bell was purchased and installed.  The inscription on the bell is in Swedish and translated reads, “Come, Israel, and worship your God at every hour and place, but let his church to thee be a holy temple, heaven’s portal.” The capacity of the church was taxed in November of 1902 and the decision was made to build a new church building in the town of Dunnell.  The cornerstone for the present church was laid September 3, 1904 and the building was dedicated May 30th, 1905.  An addition to the front of the church was made in the 1960s, forming a narthex and a wider staircase to the church basement.  The bell was moved into the bell tower of the new building and is still there today.  Today the congregation has 144 baptized members and 128 confirmed.  The building itself features beautiful woodwork and stained glass windows.