Christ Lutheran Church

Early in 1870, several poor German families from Altenburg, Missouri moved to some land owned by Emanuel Estel near the Fountain Bluff. The land was eventually donated the land to these families from Hanover, Germany for the purpose of building a Lutheran Church, as well as other necessary buildings. While retaining membership at Trinity Lutheran Church in Altenburg, the men worked hard to purchase farmland and to begin clearing out the wooded areas. After years of hard labor, Die Duetsche Evangelical Lutheran Christus Gemeinde U.A.C zu Fountain Bluff, Jackson County Ill was founded. The original church was a 22′ by 32′ log cabin situated where the current Christ Lutheran Cemetery resides.

Through the years, more German settlers came to the area and the congregation grew. In 1878, the congregation became self-supporting and called her first Pastor, the Rev. H. W. Heumann. Upon his arrival, a small parsonage measuring 20′ by 18′ was erected. Rev. Huemann accepted a call to another congregation and was peacefully released. In 1882, the Rev. Phil S. Estel accepted a call to the church and was installed on October 22, 1882. As the years passed, the congregation continued to grow, even in the midst of great poverty and sickness. Diphtheria was particularly deadly to many of the children, with Rev. Estel watching four of his children die from in within 14 days of one another.

In 1885, Mr. Johann Brunkhorst donated two more acres of ground adjoining the church’s property. During Rev. Estel’s tenure, more land was purchased and a school built. In 1904, Rev. Estel accepted a call to serve in Nokimos, Illinois. Rev. Hartling received and accepted a call that same year. He was installed on October 14th, 1904.

In 1905, a large parsonage was build in the unincorporated community of Neunert, Illinois. The present church was built next the this parsonage in 1906 and was dedicated to the glory and service of the Lord on February 3rd, 1907. In the coming years, a teacherage was built, the congregation purchased its first pipe organ, and the old log cabin church was dismantled. Rev. Hartling saw the congregation through the 1918 Spanish flu, but his health began to deteriorate in the coming years. After the congregation granted him a long sick leave, Rev. Hartling turned in his resignation in September of 1924 after nearly two decades of faithful service. The Rev. William Strothman accepted a call and was installed in November of that same year.

In 1936, major renovations were required. Doors and windows were repaired, the large steeple was taken down, and a full basement installed under the building. The exterior was replaced with brick veneer. Over the many years to come, Christ Lutheran was served by many pastors (Rev. Strothman from 1924 to 1935, Rev. Henry Luedke from 1937 to 1941, Rev. Waldemar Gnuse from 1941-1942, Rev Albert Dundek from 1942 to 1944, and Rev. Herbert Mirly from 1945 to 1947.) During the early 20th century, a devastating tornado ripped through the Fountain Bluff area and multiple sever floods destroyed much of the congregations property. But the grace and mercy of God, the congregation moved forward in faith, salvaging and repairing what they could.

In 1948, the Rev. Waldemar Petzold accepted a call and was installed on June 20th, 1948. Remodeling of the church was undertaken in 1964. A center aisle, new pews, stained glass windows, speaker system, heating, interior painting, organ repairs, and replacement of the baptismal font were among the projects undertaken. The old font was donated to the Lutheran Historical Society.

The church continued into the years, eventually switching her Divine Services from German into English, beginning Sunday School and confirmation classes, as well as continued upkeep and remodeling to the church and other buildings. Rev. Petzold, after suffering from leukemia, fell asleep in Jesus on October 14, 1973, the day before his 71st birthday. He continued even in his illness to serve the people of Christ. Rev. Duane Imig was installed on March 31, 1974 and served until June of 1979. Rev. Josepha Lecke was called, accepted, and was installed on November 4, 1979 and served until 1985. He was followed by Rev. Gary Bickner, who was installed on January 26, 1986. It was in that same year that Christ Lutheran had its last major remodeling. The interior was repainted and new communion ware was purchased. Rev. Bickner received and accepted a call to Gallup, New Mexico. The Rev. Gregory Todd was installed on May 13th, 1990.

During the 90’s, after the closing of the Gorham school, Christ Lutheran School saw a dramatic increase in enrollment, leading to an expansion of the school and the addition of a playground. Rev. Todd was granted a peaceful release, and on July 31, 1994, the Rev. Thomas Fast was installed as pastor. Following his departure in June of 2000, the Rev. Michael Kettner was installed as the new pastor on February 4th, 2001. In 2021, with great sadness, Christ Lutheran Church closed her school due to low enrollment. Pastor Kettner faithfully served Christ Lutheran until his retirement in May of 2023. Upon his retirement, the congregation sought a new pastoral candidate from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne. On July 16th, the Rev. Gunnar G Campbell was ordained and installed as Pastor of Christ Lutheran.