1892
- A group of Lutherans living in Morningside, but belonging to St.
Peter and St. John Lutheran, began having Sunday school and occasional
services at 809 South Alice Street in a small church known as Evenson
Memorial Chapel.
1918
- Morningside Lutheran Church was formally organized. St. Peter Church
deeded the chapel and all property to the new church and a constitution
and by-laws were drafted and approved.
1922 - The tiny chapel was enlarged and the newly completed church was dedicated on October 2, 1922.
1954
- Architects were hired to design a new church. The building committee
recommended the purchase of the site at South Martha Street and Highway
20.
1957
- Bids are let in 1955, ground breaking was held on November 6, 1955,
and the cornerstone was laid on June, 17, 1956. Dedication of the new
church was held on March 3, 1957. The seating capacity of the church was
592. Total cost, including property, building, landscaping, and some
parking lot improvement was $340,000.
1968
- The old fellowship hall was remodeled and a new gymnasium was
constructed at a cost of $250,885. This multi-purpose facility was
dedicated on January 26, 1969.
1971 - A new 22 rank Wick Pipe Organ was installed at the cost of $35,500.
1975, 1976
- The nave expansion on the north and south sides of the sanctuary
provide additional seating for 315. Additional remodeling was done to
the church office, print room, altar guild room, and kitchen, and four
Sunday school rooms were added to the lover level. Total cost of the
project was $220,000. Dedication was held on November 21, 1976. During
the remodel, Sunday morning worship was held in the gymnasium.
1991
- Morningside Lutheran began 1991 with a baptized membership of 2,095.
The budget totaled $433,760. During 1991, a "Let the Light Shine"
campaign was begun for a new building project to expand the Narthex, add
an elevator and a Fireside room, build additional
classrooms/multi-purpose rooms, and move restrooms offices, and the
print room. Total cost of the building project was $1,265,000.
2005
- Baptized membership at Morningside Lutheran is 3,299. The church
budget totaled $1,220,472. Outreach and mission ministries have grown to
include the Prison Ministry, Mobile Home Park outreach, summer worship
services at the Anderson Dance Pavilion, Alpha, and our Multicultural
ministry. Our Sunday school and Wednesday evening programs have grown so
that every room in the building is used at those times. Some Sunday
school classes have over 30 children in one session!
"Our
Hope for Years to Come" was launched in 2005 as we look to the future
at Morningside Lutheran. Our hope for years to come is that our new
facility will be as beneficial for new and expanded ministry as our
current building has been since it was built, with God's help in ages
past. We look to expand ministry for children, youth, families, seniors,
and other opportunities that God will reveal. We trust that God will continue to use Morningside Lutheran to impact Siouxland in the years to come.
|
