A Story as Old as Minnesota
Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Hay Creek Township was founded in 1858 by several German families living in the Flower Valley area – 3-4 miles south of Red Wing. Gatherings were first held in the home of one of the members, with sacraments administered by visiting pastors twice a year. In 1862, a three-room building was built and a resident pastor – Pastor J. Horst – accepted the congregation's call.
Despite the Civil War threatening to dissolve the Immanuel congregation, it remained strong. In 1866, they received a donation of two acres of land from a Mr. W. Plote, with the condition that a church building should be built on it. This is the same land that you'll find our beautiful church on today.