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.
