History:

The First Evangelical Lutheran Church has grown from a very humble beginning in 1784 with a small group of people worshipping in the log school near the public spring in old St. Clair Cemetery (now St. Clair Park) to the present large congregation worshipping in a beautiful brick and stone edifice.  The cornerstone for the present building was laid on August 11, 1883.  The congregation has maintained, renovated, and beautified the building which they inherited and added the Education Building in 1959.

Twenty-one pastors have been called to this congregation from 1784 to 2010 and 24 members have entered the full-time services of the church.  In the early years the German language was used for worship services but in the late 1860’s English began to be used.  A pipe organ was installed in 1845 - the first church in our community to have one.  The third organ was installed in 1984 as part of the Church’s bicentennial celebration.

Our forefathers led by the Holy Spirit laid the sturdy foundation on which succeeding generations built and expanded the ministries of the congregation.  Under God’s guidance First Church will continue with a lively and faithful ministry in Christ’s name.