Emmanuel Church Scheduled for Demolition

Emmanuel Church located at 2115 N. 500 W. north of Rockford in Rockcreek Township of Wells County is scheduled for demolition. Like many country churches across rural America, as their membership declines, the followers combine with other churches leaving behind a building that will slowly begin to fall into disrepair and will eventually need to be torn down. Thank you to Nick Raber and Larry McAfee for the historic photos and information shown here.

The early Emmanuel Reformed Church (1871 – 1911) as viewed when looking south through the Emmanuel Cemetery. The congregation was formally organized on May 28, 1859, by Rev. Fenneman. Services were held in the schoolhouse until the church pictured above was constructed and dedicated by Rev. John Naille on June 2, 1872. The cost was $1505.00, besides donations of material and labor. Until 1883, the German language was largely used in the services.

Original church (Emmanuel Reformed Church 1871-1911) viewed from the front on a winter day.

A 50th Anniversary event was held Sunday, May 30, 1909. On that same day, the paster suggested that extensive repairs be made on the church. Jacob McAfee had offered $500 towards construction of a new church building. Agitation continued, and when the paster had a total of $10,000 in pledges from numerous church members for the new building, the congregation voted to build.

Plans for the new church (shown above) were drawn, committees appointed , more pledges secured by members , a new site was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Issac W. Decker, contracts were let, ground was broken in April, 1911, the cornerstone was laid on July 2, 1911 with appropriate ceremonies, and building operation continued. The pastor secured the aid of Andrew Carnegie in the purchase of an organ.

Construction continued in 1911 and 1912. The Emmanuel Reformed Church was officially dedicated on June 2, 1912. Total cost listed in the dedication booklet was $12,650.00 for building and equipment.

The auditorium seating capacity was 315. The church also included a pulpit and choir platform, gallery with classroom underneath which opened by folding doors into the auditorium. Separate primary room on southwest corner; mother’s room opening from tower, and paster’s room from the pulpit. The church had steam heat and a full basement with kitchen and a social room.

Some people may remember in their younger days, attending a church service, a carry-in dinner, wedding or maybe a funeral at Emmanuel Church. The church, had a well established cemetery with some family plots that include names of ancestors that were well known and respected. Today, the cemetery is still being used with new burials each year. Time moves on and the memories will remain for some.

View of the front entrance of the church on the west side.

A page from the June 2, 1912 Emmanuel Reformed Church Dedication Souvenir Program.

View from the north edge of the Emmanuel Cemetery also known as the Rockford Emmanuel Cemetery. The Emmanuel Church appears at the south edge of the cemetery with the road in front.

View of the stained glass windows on the north side of the church.