History

In the beginning …

The Rev. Dr. Frederick Reissig was called by the Board of American Missions in December 1960 to develop Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, a mission of the Augustana Lutheran Church of Washington, D.C. Emmanuel’s first service was in December, 1961, and was held at the Burning Tree School. In July of 1961, a three-acre parcel was purchased at the corner of Seven Locks and Bradley Boulevard.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held in December 1962. The building consisted of the chapel, offices, kitchen and activity room, and was completed in July 1963, when the first service was held in the new chapel. A service of Dedication was held on September 8, 1963.

Pastor Reissig remained pastor until his retirement on June 30, 1965. The Rev. Dr. Harry Yeide served as interim pastor until the Rev. William B. Schaeffer began his ministry as Emmanuel’s second pastor on November 1, 1965. An educational wing was completed in 1969, representing the second building expansion.

Emmanuel was host to a ministry to the Czechoslovakian Christian Community beginning in the early 1970s, when Rev. Milan Delany served as associate pastor, also ministering to a Swahili-speaking congregation. Emmanuel’s long history of outreach activities was notable for its support of a lay missionary in Tanzania beginning in 1977, and also its longstanding support of Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area, the National Lutheran Home, Community Family Life Services, southeast Asian refugees, and the Lutheran Church in America’s (LCA) World Hunger Appeal.

The Rev. Jan P. Lookingbill was called as Emmanuel’s third pastor in May of 1979. Four years later, the congregation voted to support the construction of a new sanctuary and ancillary facilities. Emmanuel broke ground on its new sanctuary in June of 1988 with the theme Built on a Rock. Member families brought rocks that were incorporated into the new Sanctuary’s foundation.

Emmanuel – God With Us!

The design of the new sanctuary, Emmanuel’s third construction project, built in 1990, is striking, notable for its stained glass windows at the altar … with the theme of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. It is also notable for the large “cross tower” that is incorporated into the design of the window. The sanctuary is fan-shaped, and promotes a sense of community among the congregation. The organ, an electronic organ believed equivalent to a large pipe organ, has served to support our musical program, even supporting a complete program of recitals and other performances in addition to enriching Emmanuel’s worship services.

Built on a Rock

In October of 2002, Emmanuel broke ground on a new parish education and administration wing. This new project, which retained the façade of the original education wing built in 1969, provided 7300 square feet for administration, education, parish life, worship and music, and youth. This wing also houses the Walden Montessori Academy, a tenant school, during the week. The new wing contains 13 classrooms, a choir room, a school office, a large multi-purpose room, a common area, and new administrative space for reception, a workroom, Pastors’ offices, and volunteers. As part of the dedication of the new facility, the congregation collected rocks to form part of the foundation, decorated with a favorite Bible verse, prayer, or symbol.