Our History:
In 1890, a group of people who lived south of Prinsburg and worshipped in Prinsburg requested permission to organize a church for themselves. They made this request because of the distance they had to travel each Sunday and because they desired to establish a German-speaking church. Their request was granted and the church began to meet in homes and in a District 52 school building. Their eventual goal was to build a church north of Renville (where our cemetery is now located). In 1892 five acres of land was purchased for $5 seven miles northwest of Renville. That place became known as “Emden” because that was where the original members had emigrated from (Emden, Germany).
After 73 years of being a country church, Emden held its last country church service on January 23, 1963 by traveling from the country church to the newly built church in the city of Renville, 7 miles away. The parsonage was moved from the country church to its current location.
Throughout Emden’s history (125 years and counting), the church has made changes in languages, traditions, buildings and location; but as we look back, we remember the people that have been committed to God and His Word. These members have shared a love for the Christian life by sharing their faith through the preaching of the Word, through music that was sung and through other ministries that Emden has implemented to spread the Word of God to others. It is our prayer that this “Heritage of Faithfulness” will continue to the next generations.
