By Kellen Olshefski
SLN Staff
Emmanuel Baptist Church in Elkhorn will be celebrating the church’s 50th anniversary with several events over the upcoming weekend.
The two-day celebration will begin at noon with a picnic and open house lasting until 4 p.m. at the church, 920 Highway H. The public is invited to attend the picnic.
On Sunday, the church will host several special services beginning at 9:30 a.m. with “Echoes from Emmanuel: A Brief History of EBC.” The service will highlight the church’s history through multiple media, including some recently converted 8mm film from the construction of the church in 1971. The church’s regular Sunday service will follow at 10:45 a.m.
The church will then host an anniversary luncheon at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, followed by an anniversary celebration featuring guest speakers and former pastors Richard Eckman and Victor Koshir at 2 p.m. Current Pastor Paul Vawter will wrap up the afternoon’s presentation.
The church was originally formed out of a bible study in December 1964, which met in Elkhorn City Hall.
The church’s Articles of Incorporation were approved by the state in November 1965 and the church’s first Sunday morning service was held on Dec. 5, 1965, in the home of Alexander and Winifred Piek, who lived at 420 W. Walworth St.
After holding services at several different locations throughout the 1960s the first service at the church’s current location was held on Dec. 19, 1971.
For more on Emmanuel Baptist Church, visit ebcelkhorn.com. To RSVP to the celebration, visit the church’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ebcelkhorn.
