St. Luke Lutheran, Ricketts, Iowa Celebrates 50th Anniversary

St. Luke celebrated its 50th anniversary on June 20, 1999, with the theme, "Partners in Prayer." Two special services were held and the public was invited to join in worship.

At 10:00 a.m. the Rev. Robert Hines, former pastor of St. Luke, was the guest speaker. A noon meal followed this service at 12:00. At 2:00
p.m. a Festival Service was held with Rev. Richard Kapfer, President of
Iowa District West, LCMS as guest preacher. Following the afternoon service
there was be a fellowship and coffee hour.

Although Ricketts was founded in 1899 with the coming of the railroad, it was
50 years later that the first and only church in town was established. The
beginning of St. Luke Lutheran Church dates back to the first quarter of the
century when service were first held in town.

On April 8, 1949, St. Luke was formally organized at the Aid Assossiation for Lutherans (AAL) Hall. During the summer of 1950 it was learned that Immanuel, Schleswig, Iowa was willing to sell their church building and furnishings to St. Luke. Due to delays in getting the mover and other reasons, a year and a half passed between the purchase of the building and the actual move. The church was moved from
Schleswig to Ricketts in March of 1952.

In March of 1972, a dual parish formed with St. Paul, rural Charter Oak,
Iowa. Then under the guidance of Pastor Gebhardt, St. John Charter Oak, a
vicarage program was begun in 1980. St. Luke was served by nine vicars.

On February 19, 1989, a meeting was held about forming a triple parish
between St. Luke, Ricketts, and St. Paul and Immanuel, rural Charter Oak.
Pastor Robert Hines was the first pastor of the Triple Parish followed by
current Pastor Eugene Ernst who was installed in March of 1994.

J Riessen's entry on Rootsweb

St. Luke Lutheran Church, Ricketts Iowa (LCMS)
PO Box 60
Ricketts, IA 51460-0060
Phone: 712.679.2701
E-Mail: geneviv@longlines.com
Pastor: The Rev. Eugene Ernst
Worship: Sunday- 8:30 a.m.