Our History

An Emmanuel Time Line

January 22, 1913	Ladies Aid started
July 21, 1913	Congregation organized July 29, 1913 Articles of incorporation for "Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tacoma" certified by secretary of state I.M. Howell. Incorporators: R.W. Baker, Nels L. Sand, E.M. Johnson, J. Jacobson, and Louis Wick. Over Jacobson in both places is written "Telivik."
October 1913	Church basement at North 14th and Stevens excavated at cost of $75.00.
1914	Church structure erected and basement finished for use.
1921	The Norwegian language was used until 1921, when it was decided to use English every other Sunday.
September 1922	The church sanctuary is completed and dedicated.
Summer 1940	Emmanuel calls its first full-time pastor, Gerhard Belgum.
1942	Parsonage erected.
1944	Planning begins for new church structure.
1947	Norwegian Lutheran Church becomes the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
October 10, 1948	Congregation votes to become self-supporting.
November 28, 1948	Dedication services for the new $30,000 edifice of Emmanuel Lutheran Church held.
1949	Board of Trustees minutes—"On motion it was decided to sell the old church for best offer obtained. After advertising and waiting what seemed a sufficient length of time, with no bids materializing, it was decided to let a wrecking contractor dismantle and remove the building for the worth of lumber involved."
May 9, 1954	Congregation votes to purchase lots for parking. Motion authorizes expenditure of up to $3,350.
January 21, 1957	In recognition of his service to Emmanuel since the church’s founding, congregation elects Andrew J. Newberg deacon emeritus.
1958	A building fund campaign is launched, the intent being to build on property across from Wilson High School between North 11th and 12th on Huson Street.
1960	The German-background American Lutheran Church, Norwegian-background Evangelical Lutheran Church, Danish-background United Evangelical Lutheran Church (all products of earlier mergers) form the American Lutheran Church.
January 1961	Congregation decides to build at North 14th and Stevens Street rather than Huson Street.
December 2, 1962	New sanctuary dedicated
July 21, 1963	Golden anniversary service is held. The Rt. Rev. H.L. Foss, D.D., delivers the sermon.
June 30, 1969	Richard H. Foege accepts call as pastor.
1971	Contemporary services begun; twice-a-month communion begun.
1972	Number of Sunday morning services increased to three. Vespers services held Sunday evening. Communion prior to confirmation begun.
1975	Four services on Sunday morning.
1978	City Council approves Emmanuel expansion, parking lot in median strip on Mason Avenue. Property at North 13th and Mason Avenue acquired. Capital fund drive raises $381,065 in gifts and pledges. Change voted on by congregation allows families, including women, to usher at worship services.
February 25, 1979	Jane Ebaugh installed as the first woman pastor in Emmanuel’s history.
July 30, 1979	Congregation burns mortgage on-present sanctuary.
1979	Congregation votes in February to proceed with phase one of building program, but only $80,000 of $360,000 in bonds are subscribed and the program is discontinued. Parking area on Mason Avenue completed.
1982	Hand Bell Choir organized Emmanuel members participate in Lutheran-Catholic dialogues.
1983	Sanctuary remodeling completed; free-standing altar added.
1985	House at North 13th and Mason remodeled for use as education annex.
January 1, 1988	The American Lutheran Church, Lutheran Church in America and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (AELC) merge to form the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
1988	Emmanuel celebrates its 75th anniversary.
Dec. 10, 1995	Sand Memorial Center dedicated. The multipurpose facility’s name honors Burt and Thora Sand, who bequeathed substantial portions of their estates to Emmanuel. Thora died in 1988; Burt in 1993.
July 2003	Emmanuel celebrates its 90th anniversary
November 2004	The Rev. Richard H. Foege retires, closing a 35-year career at Emmanuel.