The History of Immanuel Christian Reformed Church

Historical Highlights of Immanuel Christian Reformed Church

Our congregation was called Evangelical Immanuels-Gemeinde when approximately 30 farm families of Volga-German descent founded this church in Fort Collins, CO, in 1912. The church was affiliated with the Evangelical Synod of North America. The old world Volga-German culture was central to the role and function of the new church. This ethnically homogeneous community preserved the religious beliefs, social customs, and German language of their ancestors.

In 1913 an available church building in downtown Fort Collins was purchased to serve as the home of the congregation for nearly 60 years. By the late 1930s, the congregation had affiliated with the Evangelical and Reformed Church.

In 1964, the congregation joined the Christian Reformed Church, under the support and guidance of the Board of Home Missions. The congregation made the transition of blending the German and Dutch traditions, toward unity and outreach in the community.

The need for additional classroom space and the cost of repairs on the old facility prompted the congregation to sell the building in old town in 1972. The 30-family membership persevered in prayer and hard work, and in new building, Pastor Larry Van Essen expressed that, "the name and person, Immanuel, ‘God with us,’ has become more precious and meaningful to all of us during this project."

The stained glass windows, the cross in front of the church, and the bell from the old church building were incorporated into the new, and serve as a reminder of those who went before us.

In 1980, Immanuel began a child care center to meet the need for affordable, Christian child care in our community.

In 1995 we launched a campaign to remodel our sanctuary. Plans call for completion of this ambitious project by the end of 1997 to enhance education and outreach capabilities. Pastor Paul Jorden, who had been our pastor since 1982, accepted a call to another church in 1996, and Joy Nyenhuis joined us as our first Director of Youth Ministries in January 1997. John Terpstra, our current pastor, arrived in November of 1997.

Timeline

1936	Evangelical Church joins Reformed Church of the US to become Evangelical and Reformed Church. Immanuel is now a member of this denomination.
1937-1959	Rev. Reitzer serves effectively as pastor for 22 years. The congregation grows to 197
1957	Evangelical and Reformed Church now joins the Congregational Christian Church to form the United Church of Christ. Immanuel is now renamed Immanuel United Church of Christ.
1963	Immanuel joins the Christian Reformed denomination due to doctrinal dissatisfaction in the United Church of Christ.
1963-1969	Rev. Boerfyn
1969-1977	Larry Van Essen
1974	Current church is built
1978-1989	Al Helder serves as senior pastor
1979	Church House is built for classrooms
1979	Immanuel sponsors Loveland Church
1982	Paul Jorden joins the staff and serves until 1996
1987	75th Anniversary celebrated
1990-1992	Art Stienstra serves as a co-pastor
1996	Joy Nyenhuis hired as Youth Director
1997	John Terpstra called to serve as pastor
1997	Addition complete to church building