German immigrants began settling around Terre Haute in the 1840s. On January 25, 1858, Lutherans there formed their own congregation under the leadership of teacher Arnd Lueken.
The name comes from the cornerstone facing Poplar Street, which is inscribed in German. Immanuel is Hebrew for “God with us,” a name for Jesus Christ himself (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23).
Immanuel has been a member congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod since its founding.