First St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hanover is celebrating its 150th anniversary.
There is a special service at 11 AM Sunday to mark the momentous occasion and it will be followed by a potluck lunch.
Pastor Mark Koehler encourages the public to celebrate this milestone.
Koehler notes this is no small feat — and it’s more than twice the life expectancy of most churches.
Koehler says there is a rich history in the church which began in 1862 as a log building.
By 1914 the congregation bought the Baptist Church building which is still used today by the First St. Matthew’s congregation.
Anniversary Committee Chair Louise Hachman notes the church is deep in German tradition.
In fact it wasn’t until 1927 that the services were offered in English — before that, all services were said in German.
The church is now home to about 150 parishioners.
Dwindling youth numbers is the biggest challenge — Koehler says it’s an aging congregation since so many youth leave the area for school and work.
