Redeemer Lutheran Church

Though this structure officially opened on Sunday, May 30, 1954, the history of this Redeemer Lutheran began at the behest of local pioneer Mrs. Louise Sievers in 1928. Sievers longed for a Lutheran Sunday School in Ritchie and approached the Lutheran Synod about purchasing an abandoned Methodist Church near Ritchie School. The Synod agreed on one condition: Sievers organized a pilot Sunday School at her expense. In its first week, seventy-five children attended. Encouraged by their success, the Lutherans purchased an abandoned Methodist church, four city lots, and an organ. In 1954, Redeemer Lutheran broke ground on their new church. Sievers remained an active member of Redeemer Lutheran until her death on September 20, 1964.

To learn more: Local historian Dane Ryksen’s chapter of A Little Bit Ritchie Episode 8