Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church began in the summer of 1960 when the Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod called the Rev. August Lubkeman to serve as the missionary at large to the northwest side of Peoria. The first church service was held on November 12, 1960 at the Exposition Gardens in the Youth Building. In January 1961, a small group of people committed themselves to the establishment of a new congregation and organized under the name Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church. In June of 1961 the constitution was adopted and the charter members signed the constitution on August 6, 1961. Rev. August Lubkeman was also installed as the first called pastor of Immanuel, which had a baptized membership of 45.

Rev. William Marston was ordained and installed on June 12, 1966. Shortly after Pastor Marston's arrival, the congregation convened a "Planning and Development Committee" for the purpose of meeting the needs of a rapidly growing congregation. In December of 1967 a double garage had to be added to the House Chapel to provide for additional space for Sunday School, which numbered 70 children. The first services in the new church were held on December 7, 1969. The new church building was dedicated to the glory of God on January 25, 1970. Shortly after the completion of the new church building the congregation began planning for the future with the addition of a fellowship hall, offices, and classroom space. In 1974 the addition of the fellowship hall was complete.

In 1992, after 27 years of service to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Pastor Marston retired and the congregation called Pastor Craig S. Stanford to serve as her third pastor. He was installed on January 17, 1993 and the congregation began looking once again to the future. In 1996 Immanuel added to her staff a Deaconess Intern, Miss Julie Heck. Miss Heck worked to improve our congregational life from June 1996 until August 1997. We are presently looking for another deaconesses intern and hope that we will soon be able to capitalize on the work Deaconess Heck began. Pastor Stanford and laity from Immanuel took bold steps to establish Peoria's first Lutheran High School, The Robert D. Preus Evangelical Lutheran High School. While organizationally separate from Immanuel, Immanuel has been very helpful and supportive of this work, hosting the meetings and offering to house the Lutheran High School for its start up years.

Throughout her history, Immanuel has known times of pain and controversy, and peace and joy. In good times and in bad, our Lord has demonstrated His faithfulness. Immanuel has remained a Law/Gospel, Sacramental, and liturgical congregation. While many churches are giving up the practice of Lutheran doctrine, Immanuel remains an authentic Lutheran congregation and remains committed to the pure Word, the holy sacraments, true worship, and service to the neighbor.