Church History
A Brief History of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, U. A. C. Houston Heights, TX
In May 1918, the Mission Board of the Texas District was asked by a group of Houston area Lutherans to consider the establishment of a new congregation in Houston Heights. The board responded to this request by issuing a divine call to Reverend William F. Dietze to serve the area as a missionary pastor.
Rev. Dietze came to Houston Heights in August of that year. On September 25, 1918, the first church service of what would become Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church was held in the auditorium of Heights High School, Houston then located at 12th and Yale. The following Sunday, the congregation’s Sunday School began to meet. There were 32 adults and children enrolled on the first day.
On June 12, 1919, Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized as a congregation. By August 4, 1919, Immanuel with her 49 communicant members officially affiliated with what is now known as the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS).
Church services and Sunday School for Immanuel continued in the auditorium of Heights High School, Houston until the fall of 1920 when the congregation purchased her first church building, the former parsonage of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church located at 1408 Allston Street. This building was dedicated as the congregation’s sanctuary and Sunday school building on October 17, 1920. Pastor W. F. Dietze continued his ministry in Houston Heights until 1922.
In March 1923, Reverend O. P. Hinge was installed as Immanuel’s pastor. During Pr. Hinge’s time at Immanuel the congregation became self-supporting and purchased the property on East 15th Street between Corlandt and Arlington. Due to troubles with his health, Pr. Hinge retired in September 1925 and fell asleep in the Lord soon thereafter.
In November 1925, Reverend A. J. Meyer was called to serve Immanuel as Pastor. During his pastorate the church building located at the corner of East 15th and Cortlandt was built in two phases. The first phase was limited to the construction of the basement and was completed in 1926. Church services and Sunday School classes met in the basement until 1932 when the red, brick sanctuary was finally completed. In April 1939, Immanuel hosted the Texas District Convention. Pr. Meyer concluded his service at Immanuel in 1941.
In 1942, Reverend Elmo E. Miertschin was called to serve as pastor. Under Pastor Miertschin’s pastoral care, the gymnasium, the classrooms below the gymnasium, the new sanctuary, and the parish hall with adjoining classrooms were built. Our Savior Lutheran Church (1944) and Gethsemane Lutheran Church (1953) were also both planted by Immanuel as mission congregations. Pastor Miertschin served Immanuel until his retirement in 1974.
Since 1974, Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church has been served by the following pastors:
Rev. Dietze came to Houston Heights in August of that year. On September 25, 1918, the first church service of what would become Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church was held in the auditorium of Heights High School, Houston then located at 12th and Yale. The following Sunday, the congregation’s Sunday School began to meet. There were 32 adults and children enrolled on the first day.
On June 12, 1919, Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized as a congregation. By August 4, 1919, Immanuel with her 49 communicant members officially affiliated with what is now known as the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS).
Church services and Sunday School for Immanuel continued in the auditorium of Heights High School, Houston until the fall of 1920 when the congregation purchased her first church building, the former parsonage of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church located at 1408 Allston Street. This building was dedicated as the congregation’s sanctuary and Sunday school building on October 17, 1920. Pastor W. F. Dietze continued his ministry in Houston Heights until 1922.
In March 1923, Reverend O. P. Hinge was installed as Immanuel’s pastor. During Pr. Hinge’s time at Immanuel the congregation became self-supporting and purchased the property on East 15th Street between Corlandt and Arlington. Due to troubles with his health, Pr. Hinge retired in September 1925 and fell asleep in the Lord soon thereafter.
In November 1925, Reverend A. J. Meyer was called to serve Immanuel as Pastor. During his pastorate the church building located at the corner of East 15th and Cortlandt was built in two phases. The first phase was limited to the construction of the basement and was completed in 1926. Church services and Sunday School classes met in the basement until 1932 when the red, brick sanctuary was finally completed. In April 1939, Immanuel hosted the Texas District Convention. Pr. Meyer concluded his service at Immanuel in 1941.
In 1942, Reverend Elmo E. Miertschin was called to serve as pastor. Under Pastor Miertschin’s pastoral care, the gymnasium, the classrooms below the gymnasium, the new sanctuary, and the parish hall with adjoining classrooms were built. Our Savior Lutheran Church (1944) and Gethsemane Lutheran Church (1953) were also both planted by Immanuel as mission congregations. Pastor Miertschin served Immanuel until his retirement in 1974.
Since 1974, Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church has been served by the following pastors:
- Reverend R. G. Friedrichs (1974-1992). During these years, there were two assistant pastors:
- Reverend Chris Johnson (1984-85) and Reverend D. L. Jirovec (1986-1989).
- Reverend Louis Konz (Interim, 1992-1994).
- Reverend Timothy Carr (1994-1997)
- Reverend Scott Firminhac (1996-1999)
- Reverend Timothy Steckling (1998-2002). During this time, Reverend Victor Atsinger served as assistant pastor (2000-2002).
- Reverend Timothy Carr (2002-2007). During this time, there were three assistant pastors: Reverend Erwin Metz (2002-2003), Reverend Ben Gonzales (2003-2004), and Reverend Claudio Perez, Sr. (2005-present).
- Reverend Tom Brouwer (2008-2010).
- Reverend Raymond Hagan (Interim, 2011-2013)
- Reverend Jeffrey W. King (2013-2018)
- Reverend Richard Gaub (Interim, 2018-2022)
- Reverend I. S. Pacey (May 2022-present)
