History of Salem Lutheran Church
In the early 1870’s, Rev. J. Zimmerman, pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Dakota City, began holding worship services for families west of Dakota City in a school house located 2 miles south of our present church. Services were held there until March 22, 1882, when Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized and our first constitution was adopted. The cornerstone for this newly formed church was laid on May 3, 1885, and the building was dedicated on September 6th of that same year. Less than a year later in August of 1886, this new structure was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. Almost immediately, the congregation voted to rebuild and a new house of worship was dedicated in April of 1887.
The pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran of Dakota City continued to serve both congregations until 1923 when it was agreed that each congregation would have their own pastor. A new constitution was adopted and a parsonage was purchased in Dakota City at this same time. Salem’s church building was repaired and extensively remodeled in the mid 1920’s and served the congregation well until our present church building was built.
The 60th anniversary was celebrated on May 22, 1932. An electric reed organ was purchased with gifts from members. The 75th anniversary celebration was held on Dec. 7, 1947. In 1949, a new parsonage was built on the site of old St. John’s, the German speaking “twin” of Salem located across the road.
In December of 1954, a committee on Finance and Promotion, and a Plans and Construction Committee were formed. Attendance at a nation-wide Evangelism Conference strengthened the evangelism emphasis at Salem. In October 1955, two and one-half acres of land next to the parsonage were purchased. In observance of the 85th anniversary, a ground breaking ceremony was held. The date was March 24, 1957.
The new church was dedicated on May 4, 1958, as services were held for the first time in the new building. The parking lot was hard surfaced in 1970. The mortgage on the church was burned on December 16, 1973. (The church was redecorated and new carpeting installed following a fire in the late 70’s on the west side of the building.) On November 1, 1992, an open house was held following the construction of the new parsonage.
In 1995 six caring groups were established. The Bible study groups met twice a month, some in homes and some at the church. Since then, four additional groups have been formed. Salem celebrated our 125th anniversary in 1997. Born with this celebration was a new ministry to reach out to the Asian community. In 2008, the United Asian Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized and Soriya Roeun, an Asian member of Salem, was ordained as its pastor.
The pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran of Dakota City continued to serve both congregations until 1923 when it was agreed that each congregation would have their own pastor. A new constitution was adopted and a parsonage was purchased in Dakota City at this same time. Salem’s church building was repaired and extensively remodeled in the mid 1920’s and served the congregation well until our present church building was built.
The 60th anniversary was celebrated on May 22, 1932. An electric reed organ was purchased with gifts from members. The 75th anniversary celebration was held on Dec. 7, 1947. In 1949, a new parsonage was built on the site of old St. John’s, the German speaking “twin” of Salem located across the road.
In December of 1954, a committee on Finance and Promotion, and a Plans and Construction Committee were formed. Attendance at a nation-wide Evangelism Conference strengthened the evangelism emphasis at Salem. In October 1955, two and one-half acres of land next to the parsonage were purchased. In observance of the 85th anniversary, a ground breaking ceremony was held. The date was March 24, 1957.
The new church was dedicated on May 4, 1958, as services were held for the first time in the new building. The parking lot was hard surfaced in 1970. The mortgage on the church was burned on December 16, 1973. (The church was redecorated and new carpeting installed following a fire in the late 70’s on the west side of the building.) On November 1, 1992, an open house was held following the construction of the new parsonage.
In 1995 six caring groups were established. The Bible study groups met twice a month, some in homes and some at the church. Since then, four additional groups have been formed. Salem celebrated our 125th anniversary in 1997. Born with this celebration was a new ministry to reach out to the Asian community. In 2008, the United Asian Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized and Soriya Roeun, an Asian member of Salem, was ordained as its pastor.