HISTORY OF ANDOVER LUTHERAN  CHURCH

The Andover Lutheran Church was organized by Swedish settlers coming from Andover, Illinois.  Twelve men signed the charter on December 18, 1879.  The first church services were held in homes and later in the Hays School two miles north of the present church location.  It was decided to take up subscriptions for a new church building, which was completed on December 16, 1882, for $1,551.30.  The cemetery land was purchased on April 24, 1884.  In 1892, an altar and pulpit were installed, and a gallery and new benches were added.  In 1897, the congregation decided to build church barns along the west side of the church's property.  This first church burned down the morning of December 25, 1898, sometime following the "Julotta" service.  The second church was built in 1899 with the first service being held on Pentecost Sunday.  The bell, which is still in use, was bought by the Young People's Society and dedicated on May 9, 1903.  In the summer of 1912, it was decided to put a basement under the church and install a furnace.  The basement was dug, and while the church was sitting on its props, a sudden storm came up and the building was blown off its props.  One end of the church fell into the basement, but with much hard work the building was raised out of the hole and was completed.  In 1941, the church tower was repaired. 

The steeple was covered with tin and a new cross was installed on top of the steeple.  this cross is presently at the church cemetery.  An educational unit was built to the east side of the church in 1951.  The third and existing church was completed in September 1966.  The narthex was added onto the church and completed in October 1979, just in time for the 100th- anniversary celebration.  The church expansion was completed on January 24, 1993, adding more classroom space, a handicap accessible facility with larger restrooms, and an elevator.  The next project was the renovation of the basement fellowship hall, which took place in 2004.