A Brief History of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church: 1896-2005 AD

Our Founding:
Our congregation began as a small group gathered around God's Word.  Rev. Boerneke of Poplar Grove conducted biweekly services on Sunday afternoons at the homes of Edward Lueck and Louis Schleicher.  When Rev. Boerneke left Poplar Grove in the fall of 1895, Rev. Paul Hinderer of Grace and St. John's, rural Goodhue served the small group.  On January 2, 1896, an organizational meeting was held under Pastor Hinderer's supervision.  During this meeting, they adopted a constitution based upon the Unaltered Augsburg Confession and chose the name: Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Goodhue County, Minnesota.  The first class of eight was confirmed on August 29, 1897.  The first church building, located on south Main Street was dedicated on July 10, 1898.  The cost of the project, which included the purchase of two lots and moving an old school building, amounted to $1,600-$2,000.  Church records indicate that the Ladies Aid contributed many of the furnishings for the church.  The Lord has blessed our congregation over the hundred and nine years of its existence.