About MLC

Messiah American Lutheran Church

1956

Church History

There was a long-felt desire to have a Lutheran Church in Janesville. In December, 1955 action was taken to make the desire an actuality. With the active support of the Rev. W.F. Schmidt, D.D. and the Rev. Wm. Weiblin, Pastors of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Waverly, and the Rev. H. W. Siefkes, D.D., President of the Iowa District of the American Lutheran Church, a group of interested people met on December 6 at st. Paul Church, Waverly, to discuss the possibility of forming a Lutheran Congregation in Janesville. Out of this discussion came events which led to the formation of Messiah American Lutheran Church.

The first services of the congregation were held at the Janesville High School on January 1, 1956. The first congregation meeting, with 71 people present, took place on January 12. This meeting resulted in the adoption of a constitution, in the acceptance of the Rev. Karl Schmidt of the Wartburg College faculty as the Acting Pastor until a full-time Pastor could be arranged for, and in the formation of a joint-parish with Faith Lutheran Church, Shell Rock. The first Ladies' Guild meeting was on February 2; the young people's Luther League first met on February 26,. The Brotherhood's first meeting was held a year later, on February 11, 1957.

At a meeting on February 6, 1956 the young congregation learned that the American Lutheran Church was willing to offer it a "Mission Package" loan of $10,000 together with a subsidy of $2,000. A decision to investigate building sites for a new church and parsonage was thereupon made. The building site was selected in March, and on April 22 ground was broken for the congregation's first house of worship. On July 8 Messiah congregation installed its first full-time Pastor, the Rev. Otto J. Reitz. The Bungalow Chapel (which can later be converted into a parsonage) was completed in the fall and dedicated on October 21. The congregation assumed self-support in January, 1958, and under the guidance and blessing of Almighty God has become a vital force in bringing the Gospel to its community.

Looking for more of Messiah Lutheran's Church history? Stop by the secretary's office!

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