The Lutheran Church has a rich history dating beyond late 17th century Germany to now a deep-rooted history within Jackson County.

From 1800 to 1860, the U.S. government encouraged European emigration to midwestern states such as Indiana by offering inexpensive and undeveloped land for German immigrants to practice religious freedom and find economic opportunities.

A group of Lutheran immigrants from a small farming region in Germany settled in Jackson, Bartholomew and Dubois counties where conservative Lutheran theology was practiced.

While the road was not easy, and the trials of conflicting theology ensued during this time, St. John’s Sauers in Jackson County and St. John’s White Creek in Bartholomew County were formed.

By 1870, Immanuel Lutheran Church was established by 17 founding fathers and named “The First German Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel Congregation of Seymour, Indiana.”

Records, photos, memorabilia and stories have been collected over the years at Immanuel Lutheran Church not just on the history of their congregation, but the long-standing faith of Lutherans in this community.

All of it can be found in their extensive Heritage Museum that is open for anyone curious about the history of Lutheran’s settling in Jackson County to finding long lost ancestors.

“We want to share what we have captured with the people in the community,” Fred Moritz said.

Larry Cooper began collecting some items from Immanuel’s history long before the church’s heritage committee was formed in 2012.

Cooper was then joined by his two friends Moritz and Bill Hubble. Now, the volunteer group works to preserve and display the history of Immanuel Lutheran Church and School to encourage present and future generations to appreciate the work that has been done over the years.

“We all have an interest in trying to preserve the history of the church and the school,” Cooper said.

Walking into the museum, newspaper clippings and confirmation pictures dating back to 1900 line the walls. A sign from the Walther League Lutheran Clubhouse, a steeple top from the second church, a 1945 Boy Scout uniform from Troop 26 at Immanuel hang proudly on display amongst other memorabilia.

“A lot of this material has been donated by family members, previous members and current members that have saved artifacts from earlier times,” Hubble said.

Cooper said they are lucky church records have been kept from the start showing the actual recording of the purchase for the lot of the first church in 1870 that was located at Poplar and Oak streets. At the time, the price offered for the lot was $25 and the building cost $3,500.

The first pastor Immanuel shared was F. Wendt with Waymansville, and as the congregation grew Henry Fischer became the full-time pastor in 1873. Church records first started to be kept and organized.

Many pieces of memorabilia often come with a story behind it and Cooper said he is especially fond of how the Walther League sign stayed around all these years.

From 1893 to 1968, hundreds of thousands of young men joined this association of Lutheran youth societies. Over the years, local chapters were created, and Immanuel had a Walther League Club house at one time.

Cooper said the clubhouse contained a bowling alley in the basement for league and tournaments and a gym on the top floor where high school basketball games were held.

The club house, located in the parking lot of Immanuel Lutheran School at the time, was used also for social activities such as church dinners, dances and special events.

Cooper said one of the events that occurred in the clubhouse was after the end of World War I when many sailors and soldiers came home to their loved ones for a banquet.

“We have an original bulletin banquet list that has the menu for that night as well as the names of who attended that night,” Cooper said.

When the clubhouse was being dismantled, Hubble said it was a huge part of the congregation’s social life and many people wanted to keep souvenirs for remembrance.

“The sign was on the burn pile and then someone had the good idea to keep it,” Cooper said. “It sat in an attic of a chicken house for 25 years.”

The museum is open to the general public during church office hours 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“Maybe there are some people who might find the history of their own families here,” Hubble said. “We want to be able to share that. If anybody is a history buff on how the Lutheran Church have started here, we have that information too.”

Those searching for baptismal records, marriage license or death certificates will need to make an appointment.

While the museum is quite full of historical artifacts, the work of the committee is never done. They ask those in the community who may have pictures or memorabilia related to Immanuel Lutheran Church in their home to visit them so they may take a look.

“Either pictures to make copies or artifacts for donations we would love to take a look,” Moritz said.

The committee is looking for adult confirmation pictures, sports pictures such as dartball, bowling and softball that the church has hosted and any club related activities both past and present.

“Our congregation should be aware of the existence of this, but there are other Lutherans or Germans in the area that might not be aware of this,” Hubble said. “It’s a significant fraction of history in our county.”