ST LUKE LUTHERAN CHURCH

Like many rural churches, St Luke came as a result of a group of people meeting in various homes around the area. St. Luke’s origin started in 1890 when Pastor Robert Helbig who had been serving St. John’s in Rock Township, came to Nora Springs. Pastor Helbig was not associated with the Iowa Lutheran Synod. Our first Pastor sent by the Synod was Pastor Lawrence Westenberger in 1897.

During the first 100 years, 23 pastors served St. Luke church. In 1914 the first church building was purchased from the Congregational Home Missionary Society, it was located where our current church is housed at 101 North Hawkeye. The official incorporated name was German Lutheran Church of Nora Springs. Because of the anti-German sentiment during World War I, the congregation began using the English language in worship and confirmation instruction instead of German. They also changed the name to Evangelical Lutheran Church of Nora Springs.

The Woman’s Guild was started in 1924. The Friendly Circle was formed in 1936 to provide a time of fellowship and nurture for the families of the church. The “Do Day” ladies were formed in the early 1970’s at the urging of Pastor & Mrs. Senft. This group of women made quilts for the Lutheran World Relief. Quilts are still being made today along with school kits. In 1970 the Altar Guild was formed and continues today to prepare the altar area for service each Sunday.

In 1938 the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Nora Springs was dissolved and all assets were passed to the newly incorporated St. Luke Lutheran Church. In 1944 Pastor Walter Pfeffer was called to serve the Rockford-Nora Springs parish. In 1946, at the annual meeting the two congregations voted to have their own pastors.

By 1945 the church property was deteriorating. The steeple was removed. In 1954 the old church was sold and moved to the south side of Nora Springs. The current church as built at the old location of 101 North Hawkeye. The stained glass windows were removed so they could be used in the new church. During the time when the new church was being built, services were held at the local school, and meetings were held at the American Legion Hall. Ground breaking for the new church as held August 6, 1954 and a service was held October 17, 1954 with Pastor Fredette laying the cornerstone.

A pipe organ was purchased in 1936 from the Grafton church. St. Luke church property has gone through a few upgrades. The roof was replaced with a steel roof in 1999. A new organ was purchased in 1994. A handicap bathroom, upgrade to the Pastor’s office and a new office for the church secretary were done in 1994.

During the next 25 years, Pastor Chris Clarkson came to St. Luke. Our first female pastor was Ruth Hansen followed by Pastor Jennifer Edinger. In 2010 St. Luke entered into negotiations with Faith Lutheran and St. John Lutheran to form a geo-parish with Rock Creek Lutheran joining the group in 2012. In 2013 the geo-parish Cross Roads was formed. The first parish pastors are David and Elayne Werges.