A Brief History of American Lutheran Church
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In 1948 members of Christ Lutheran and St. John’s
voted to become one parish with one pastor serving
both congregations.
The question of a possible merger between Christ
Lutheran and St. John’s Lutheran was a topic of
discussion for a number of years. It was an
important issue already in 1919 when Christ
Lutheran Church decided to build a new church. In
1945 the merger question again became an issue
with St. John’s voting for merger and Christ Lutheran
against. After a complete study by a committee with
all the pros and cons of the merger questions
present, a special meeting was held on May 4, 1952
to consider the merger question. The results of a first
vote were 91 favoring and 74 against. After some
discussion a second vote was taken and with the
inclusion of the votes of the servicemen, the vote was
111 for and 63 against.
St. John’s congregation, having been informed that
Christ Lutheran was to vote on the merger question,
also called a special meeting to vote on the same
question. Again, St. John’s voted unanimously in
favor of the merger.
On the evening of June 29, 1952, the members of
both congregations assembled at the Gothenburg
High School auditorium for the purpose of actually
merging into one congregation. The merger was
unanimous and the two congregations became one.
The name selected for the merged congregation was
THE AMERICAN LUTHERAN CHURCH.
voted to become one parish with one pastor serving
both congregations.
The question of a possible merger between Christ
Lutheran and St. John’s Lutheran was a topic of
discussion for a number of years. It was an
important issue already in 1919 when Christ
Lutheran Church decided to build a new church. In
1945 the merger question again became an issue
with St. John’s voting for merger and Christ Lutheran
against. After a complete study by a committee with
all the pros and cons of the merger questions
present, a special meeting was held on May 4, 1952
to consider the merger question. The results of a first
vote were 91 favoring and 74 against. After some
discussion a second vote was taken and with the
inclusion of the votes of the servicemen, the vote was
111 for and 63 against.
St. John’s congregation, having been informed that
Christ Lutheran was to vote on the merger question,
also called a special meeting to vote on the same
question. Again, St. John’s voted unanimously in
favor of the merger.
On the evening of June 29, 1952, the members of
both congregations assembled at the Gothenburg
High School auditorium for the purpose of actually
merging into one congregation. The merger was
unanimous and the two congregations became one.
The name selected for the merged congregation was
THE AMERICAN LUTHERAN CHURCH.
| Dedication Service November 14, 1954. Close to 1200 people present. |
Prior to this, because of lack of space, at a special meeting held May 1, 1950, St. John’s congregation voted to purchase lots
near the high school buildings as in church building site. At the semi-annual meeting June 2, 1950, the congregation voted to
build a new church as soon as funds could be obtained. Building plans were progressing and the building fund was up to
nearly $50,000 at the end of April, 1952. However, on May 4, 1952, the congregation, having been informed that Christ
Lutheran was going to vote on the merger question, held a special meeting at the close of the morning service and voted over
whelming in favor of the merger. These lots became the location for the new church, which was dedicated on November 14,
1954. At the dedication of American Lutheran Church there were 273 families of the combined congregations of 1,053
confirmed and baptized members. They met at the Gothenburg Public schools and walked over to dedicated the new building,
filling the church all the way back into the parish hall. The service was broadcast over K.R.V.N. radio.
In ten short years the need for additional education rooms arose. Multi-purpose rooms and offices were added to the north
and west of the existing building as well as purchasing the parsonage west of the church in 1960.
As the congregation continued to grow, we called an assistant pastor to serve in 1972. We also began offering two services in
the summer months and later began offering two services all year with a park service once a month in June, July, and August.
In January, 1959, we held a mortgage retirement service and the church was debt free. In November, 1959, the congregation
voted its gratitude to God by giving church property as security in the amount of $65,000, to a new mission in Golden,
Colorado. Again in 1970 we approved a loan of $50,000 to the Lutheran Church of the Master in Omaha, and a $20,000 loan to
Atonement Lutheran Church, Denver, Colorado.
Through the years we have supported congregations in Golden, Colorado, Lodgepole, Nebraska, and Gering, Nebraska, plus
Family of Christ Congregation in Kearney, the Campus Ministry at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, El Centro ministry in
Lexington, Nebraska, and for approximately the last fives years supported the prison ministry in Lincoln, Nebraska.
In 1974 we enrolled in the Bethel Series, a Bible study, which helped many parishioners gain a better knowledge and
understanding of the Bible. In 1987 the church enrolled in the Stephen Ministry Series, a “one-on-one” care giving program
that benefited many members of the congregation as well as the community.
We have supported missionaries in Tanzania, New Guinea, and Japan. Our support of the Water For Life in Haiti has build
wells and enabled children to attend school. In 1976 we sponsored several Laotian families, by providing housing, food,
clothing, education, and job opportunities to help them rebuild their life and become established in America.
In 1995 we purchased the south parsonage and completed some remodeling for the associate pastor’s residence. Then in
2002 the sanctuary was remodeled.
near the high school buildings as in church building site. At the semi-annual meeting June 2, 1950, the congregation voted to
build a new church as soon as funds could be obtained. Building plans were progressing and the building fund was up to
nearly $50,000 at the end of April, 1952. However, on May 4, 1952, the congregation, having been informed that Christ
Lutheran was going to vote on the merger question, held a special meeting at the close of the morning service and voted over
whelming in favor of the merger. These lots became the location for the new church, which was dedicated on November 14,
1954. At the dedication of American Lutheran Church there were 273 families of the combined congregations of 1,053
confirmed and baptized members. They met at the Gothenburg Public schools and walked over to dedicated the new building,
filling the church all the way back into the parish hall. The service was broadcast over K.R.V.N. radio.
In ten short years the need for additional education rooms arose. Multi-purpose rooms and offices were added to the north
and west of the existing building as well as purchasing the parsonage west of the church in 1960.
As the congregation continued to grow, we called an assistant pastor to serve in 1972. We also began offering two services in
the summer months and later began offering two services all year with a park service once a month in June, July, and August.
In January, 1959, we held a mortgage retirement service and the church was debt free. In November, 1959, the congregation
voted its gratitude to God by giving church property as security in the amount of $65,000, to a new mission in Golden,
Colorado. Again in 1970 we approved a loan of $50,000 to the Lutheran Church of the Master in Omaha, and a $20,000 loan to
Atonement Lutheran Church, Denver, Colorado.
Through the years we have supported congregations in Golden, Colorado, Lodgepole, Nebraska, and Gering, Nebraska, plus
Family of Christ Congregation in Kearney, the Campus Ministry at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, El Centro ministry in
Lexington, Nebraska, and for approximately the last fives years supported the prison ministry in Lincoln, Nebraska.
In 1974 we enrolled in the Bethel Series, a Bible study, which helped many parishioners gain a better knowledge and
understanding of the Bible. In 1987 the church enrolled in the Stephen Ministry Series, a “one-on-one” care giving program
that benefited many members of the congregation as well as the community.
We have supported missionaries in Tanzania, New Guinea, and Japan. Our support of the Water For Life in Haiti has build
wells and enabled children to attend school. In 1976 we sponsored several Laotian families, by providing housing, food,
clothing, education, and job opportunities to help them rebuild their life and become established in America.
In 1995 we purchased the south parsonage and completed some remodeling for the associate pastor’s residence. Then in
2002 the sanctuary was remodeled.