The following information is from:

Allegan County News
June 12, 2003

"Immanuel Celebrating 125 Years"

Immanuel Lutheran Church in Allegan will commemorate its 125th Anniversary Sunday, June 29. An hour-long program will follow an outdoor dinner and will include traditional music and presentations recognizing the history of the church's congregation. Dinner begins at noon, following Sunday services.

Organized as the Swedish Evangelical Lutheraan Church of Sandhem in 1878, the original church was built in 1883, in the area now known as Kellogg, about four miles east of Allegan on what is now Hooker Road. Sandhem is a Swedish word that translates to "sand hill."

The congregation continues to use its nearby rural cemetery, Sheep of the Good Shepherd, which was established in 1879.

The English language was adopted by the congregation in the early 1920s and the name of the church was changed to Immanuel Lutheran Church of Allegan in 1941. In 1962 Immanuel became affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

The existing church was built in the city of Allegan in 1971. The sanctuary incorporates a steeply vaulted ceiling finished in brick and natural cedar, with stained glass windows on the exterior walls. The church has planned to build a 4,000 square foot addition as well as other renovations next year.

Pastor Dean Beckwith becam the congregation's minster in 2002. A native of South Haven, Pastor Beckwith has served for 30 years for congregations in Illinois and Michigan before joining Immanuel.

Dated: 2003