History of the congregation  

Immanuel Chuurch was started by 13 German farmers Church in 1852.  It was named “Deutsche Vereinigte, Evangelische Lutherische Immanuel’s Gereinde”. Only the name Immanuel, the location of the building and the cemetery have remained the same.  Virtually everything else has changed over the years.  Its denomination has changed from Evangelical to Evangelical and Reform, and to its current status as a member of the United Church of Christ.  

In 1939 foreign missions were introduced and voted on.  In 1942 the constitution was revised and printed in English. In 1951 a vote was taken at the Annual Meeting to limit German services only on Good Friday and the second Sunday in October.  The Annual Meeting in 1959 voted to change the name of the church to Immanuel Church , United Church of Christ, Hanover Township, Elgin , Illinois .  Also at this meeting, the vote was taken to have German services on Good Friday only.   

Many social events were established during this time such as the Chick’n Chop Fry every August dating back to 1968, the Ice Cream Social, and various womens and mens groups such as the Outreach Circle, Women’s Guild, Barbershop Quintet, and men’s Dart ball. 

A new constitution and by-laws were approved in 1992.  Other important events this same year are: the church voted to participate in the Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS) program,  and an Endowment Fund was created to be used for the needs of the church while the principal will remain inviolate.  In 1995 a hand bell choir was organized.  In 1996 the congregation voted to become an Open and Affirming Church .  

Immanuel United Church of Christ celebrated their 150^th Anniversary in 2002.  We have had 18 pastors during this time. Pictures of these Pastors are posted in the hallway leading to Volkening Hall.