Christ Lutheran Church - from the beginning Written in German longhand, a single entry appears in the parish record book. The record shows that Pastor Fredrick Spriegel baptized a little girl, Maria Mai Schafer, on March 28, 1880. Thus began the seeds of a newly formed Lutheran congregation in Cass County Nebraska.
In 1879 Pastor Spriegel, a native of Germany, began calling on residents in this part of Nebraska. On July 9, 1890, the pastor and families united to form St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church; this later changed to Evangelical Lutheran Church of Eight Mile Grove. Construction began in May, 1890 on one acre of farmland leased from George Horn. The term of the lease was 99 years. (This land was later purchased by the church.) Construction was completed in the fall of the same year. It was a frame building 30 ft. by 45 ft. with 18 ft. high walls and a bell tower on the east end of the roof. A few years after the church was built, lightning struck the bell tower. While the damage was being repaired, it was decided to obtain a new, larger, louder bell. This bell was cast in Plattsmouth by the Burlington Railroad Shops and is the only bell ever cast in Cass County. It proved to be quite satisfactory and still calls people to worship to this day.
Pastor Frederick Spriegel was born in Wuertemberg, Germany and studied Theology in Switzerland. He arrived in Nebraska in 1879 and served several congregations in Cass County. He and his young wife lived in a hut in a timber northwest of Nehawka a few miles. Soon after, he moved from his hut and began to farm 40 acres seven miles north and two miles west of Nehawka because the people Pastor Spriegel served were too poor to support him and his family. After moving to his farm, Pastor Spriegel began preaching further north to congregations meeting in school houses named Oxford School, Mount Pleasant Precinct and Becker School, Eight Mile Grove Precinct (our congregation) in Cass County as well as continuing to serve St. Luke’s congregation near Wyoming to the south in Otoe County. Pastor Spriegel continued to serve these congregations for 32 years in addition to farming. He had no particular desire to farm, but had to supplement his earnings. When later on the people could have supported him, they did not, so he was always forced to continue farming. In 1890, the Eight Mile Grove congregation adopted a constitution, allowing them to build our church.
Pastor Spriegel resigned in 1912. During his 32 year pastorate in this congregation, this faithful pioneer pastor baptized 422, confirmed a total of 258, married 63 couples, and held 44 funerals.
Over the years the original frame building has been remodeled, renovated and rededicated. The parsonage was built in 1912. The congregation adopted its present name, Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in August of 1913. The Centennial was celebrated throughout 1990. A time capsule was buried in 1993.
Christ Lutheran began as a mission congregation and in October 1983 established a satellite ministry in Plattsmouth that became Hosanna Lutheran Church.
On June 4, 2000 the congregation was honored to host the ordination of our member Bryan Rice, son of Pastor Harold and Caroline Rice.
Christian Education has flourished due to dedicated teachers and enthusiastic students for Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.
Through the years the youth group has made their mark by conducting services and special music.
Inviting others in the community for fellowship has long been a part of Christ Lutheran. At this time a fall Soup Super provide an opportunity for outreach.
For over 125 years the white frame building has withstood time and weather on the hill in Cass County. In 2003 the parsonage was sold and moved to make room for a Parish Hall. Four classrooms, a new pastor's study, secretary's office, kitchen and connecting gathering area were added to the south of the original Christ Lutheran building. The following year, landscaping finished the project.
In 2015 our outdoor covered pavilion was added and supplied with picnic tables to aid our outdoor activities.
Christ Lutheran welcomes all that search for spiritual guidance and comfort.
Pastors Serving Christ Lutheran
Pr. Frederick Spriegel 1890-1912
Pr. Julius Huebner 1912-1914
Pr. R. Kunzendorf 1914-1920
Pr. Herman Rhode 1920-1925
Dr. A.B. Lentz 1925-1964
Pr. Clinton McDonald 1965-1967
Pr. Wilfred Henning 1967-1979
Pr. Michael Osberg 1979-1985
Pr. David Newman 1986-1989
Pr. Harold Rice 1990-2008
Pr. David Zellmer 2008-2009 (Interim Minister)
Pr. Naomi Hartman 2009-2013
Pr. Heidi Bolt 2013-2014 (Interim Minister)
Pr. Emily Johnson 2014-2022
In 1879 Pastor Spriegel, a native of Germany, began calling on residents in this part of Nebraska. On July 9, 1890, the pastor and families united to form St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church; this later changed to Evangelical Lutheran Church of Eight Mile Grove. Construction began in May, 1890 on one acre of farmland leased from George Horn. The term of the lease was 99 years. (This land was later purchased by the church.) Construction was completed in the fall of the same year. It was a frame building 30 ft. by 45 ft. with 18 ft. high walls and a bell tower on the east end of the roof. A few years after the church was built, lightning struck the bell tower. While the damage was being repaired, it was decided to obtain a new, larger, louder bell. This bell was cast in Plattsmouth by the Burlington Railroad Shops and is the only bell ever cast in Cass County. It proved to be quite satisfactory and still calls people to worship to this day.
Pastor Frederick Spriegel was born in Wuertemberg, Germany and studied Theology in Switzerland. He arrived in Nebraska in 1879 and served several congregations in Cass County. He and his young wife lived in a hut in a timber northwest of Nehawka a few miles. Soon after, he moved from his hut and began to farm 40 acres seven miles north and two miles west of Nehawka because the people Pastor Spriegel served were too poor to support him and his family. After moving to his farm, Pastor Spriegel began preaching further north to congregations meeting in school houses named Oxford School, Mount Pleasant Precinct and Becker School, Eight Mile Grove Precinct (our congregation) in Cass County as well as continuing to serve St. Luke’s congregation near Wyoming to the south in Otoe County. Pastor Spriegel continued to serve these congregations for 32 years in addition to farming. He had no particular desire to farm, but had to supplement his earnings. When later on the people could have supported him, they did not, so he was always forced to continue farming. In 1890, the Eight Mile Grove congregation adopted a constitution, allowing them to build our church.
Pastor Spriegel resigned in 1912. During his 32 year pastorate in this congregation, this faithful pioneer pastor baptized 422, confirmed a total of 258, married 63 couples, and held 44 funerals.
Over the years the original frame building has been remodeled, renovated and rededicated. The parsonage was built in 1912. The congregation adopted its present name, Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in August of 1913. The Centennial was celebrated throughout 1990. A time capsule was buried in 1993.
Christ Lutheran began as a mission congregation and in October 1983 established a satellite ministry in Plattsmouth that became Hosanna Lutheran Church.
On June 4, 2000 the congregation was honored to host the ordination of our member Bryan Rice, son of Pastor Harold and Caroline Rice.
Christian Education has flourished due to dedicated teachers and enthusiastic students for Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.
Through the years the youth group has made their mark by conducting services and special music.
Inviting others in the community for fellowship has long been a part of Christ Lutheran. At this time a fall Soup Super provide an opportunity for outreach.
For over 125 years the white frame building has withstood time and weather on the hill in Cass County. In 2003 the parsonage was sold and moved to make room for a Parish Hall. Four classrooms, a new pastor's study, secretary's office, kitchen and connecting gathering area were added to the south of the original Christ Lutheran building. The following year, landscaping finished the project.
In 2015 our outdoor covered pavilion was added and supplied with picnic tables to aid our outdoor activities.
Christ Lutheran welcomes all that search for spiritual guidance and comfort.
Pastors Serving Christ Lutheran
Pr. Frederick Spriegel 1890-1912
Pr. Julius Huebner 1912-1914
Pr. R. Kunzendorf 1914-1920
Pr. Herman Rhode 1920-1925
Dr. A.B. Lentz 1925-1964
Pr. Clinton McDonald 1965-1967
Pr. Wilfred Henning 1967-1979
Pr. Michael Osberg 1979-1985
Pr. David Newman 1986-1989
Pr. Harold Rice 1990-2008
Pr. David Zellmer 2008-2009 (Interim Minister)
Pr. Naomi Hartman 2009-2013
Pr. Heidi Bolt 2013-2014 (Interim Minister)
Pr. Emily Johnson 2014-2022