Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer - History of Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer

History

The Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer had its beginning in 1918 when a group of Lutheran families voted to organize a congregation. Prior to that time families in the Kokomo area were cared for as a mission by circuit riders who were Lutheran pastors in the area.

Being advised by the Synod that mission work was most effective when a church had its own home, the congregation elected to purchase property about 4 blocks north of the downtown square on the corner of Union and Jefferson streets with the intent of erecting a church building proper. The new church was dedicated on Sunday, May 12, 1918, despite a "disagreeable rain", with dinner for the 500 guests being served by the Ladies Aid.

After several "Calls" were extended, the Reverend Adolph J. Stiemke, a recent graduate from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, was installed as as Redeemer's first pastor on Sunday, August 25, 1918. He served the church until 1924.

It was during the ministry of Reverend Walter J. Lobeck that a second church building was erected in 1925. The "old" church building was moved next door, renovated and served as the parsonage. Reverend Lobeck served until April, 1935. Reverend Carl Ahlbrand was "Called" April 26, 1936. He officiated with the "Mortgage Burning Service" on September 9, 1945. He remained until 1957

On September 1, 1957, Reverend Rudolph A. Ritz was installed. It was during his ministry at Our Redeemer that the present church at 705 Southway Blvd. , was built, with the Cornerstone Laying Service being conducted on October 11, 1964. The official name of the church became The Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer. Pastor Ritz served until March 10, 1967.

Reverend A. Herbert Muhl was installed as pastor September 1, 1967. Under his care that the Redeemer Lutheran School was formed and began holding its first classes in , September 1984.

Nine sons of the congregation have become Lutheran ministers: Reverends Walter Ullman, Thomas Colley, Kent Umbarger, William Allison, Dwight Moeller, Ben Akers, Zach Huffman, Chris Stout, Peter Adelsen.

Redeemer's first building.

The "Old Church" at Union & Jefferson Streets

Our current home.

CHURCH MILESTONES

Kokomo As A Lutheran Mission

1885 Rev. F. W. Husman, Pastor at Arcadia, conducted the first Lutheran service in Kokomo.

1895 Rev. H. Boester conducted services at Deffenbaugh's Hall, West Mulberry Street.

1903 Rev. Otto Turk reopened the mission in Kokomo and preached every other Sunday.

Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer

1916 Rev. George Kase conducted services the second Sunday of each month.

1918 Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer was organized on February 4 with a membership of 14 voting members, 80 baptized, and 48 communicant members.

1918 On May 12 a remodeled home at the corner of Union and Jefferson Streets was dedicated as the first church building.

1918 -1924 Rev. A. J. Stiemke became the first resident Pastor in August and served until 1924.

1925 -1936 Rev. W. G. Lobeck became the pastor of the congregation and served for 12 years.

1925 The cornerstone of the new church was laid on July 26 by the Rev. Theo. Schwan of Tipton.

1925 The new church was dedicated on December 6.

1936-1957 Rev. C. E. Ahlbrand serves as Pastor for 21 years.

1957-1967 Rev. Rudolph A. Ritz serves as Pastor for 10 years.

1965 The new church on Southway Boulevard is dedicated on August 1.

1967-1993 The Rev. A. Herbert Muhl serves as Pastor from September 1, 1967 to May 8, 1993.

1977 Plans for starting a daughter congregation are brought to fruition with ground-breaking services on the west side of Kokomo on June 19, 1977.

1978 The Missouri Synod Church has grown from a congregation of 80 baptized and 48 communicant members to 1164 baptized and 828 communicant members.

1978 The Rev. Robert Bohlmann is installed as Associate Pastor to assume pastorate of west side church.

1979 New westside mission is dedicated and named Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

1981 Good Shepherd becomes an independent church as we transfer 158 communicants and 70 baptized members to their care.

1982 On April 4 (Palm Sunday) Rev. James W. Kreft is Ordained and Installed as Associate Pastor, Minister of Education and Youth.

1983 New Fellowship Hall is dedicated on October 2^nd.

1984 Redeemer Lutheran School was built.

1984 On July 15th Kim Klemz is installed as first teacher of Kokomo Lutheran School.

1985 The Rev. William S. Allison was installed as Associate Pastor on June 23

1993 The Rev. William S. Allison was installed as Senior Pastor November 7

1994 The Rev. Scott G. Sommerfeld was installed as Associate Pastor on August 14

1998 New Redeemer School building dedicated in January

1999 The Rev. Barry A. Akers was installed as Family Life Pastor on December 19

2007 Redeemer Lutheran Church has grown to a congregation of 1429 baptized, 1162 confirmed members and 454 families.

2021 The Rev. John Dreyer was installed as Senior Pastor on January 17

2021 The Rev. Carl Hingst was installed as Associate Pastor on June 6