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Emmanuel Episcopal Church Heritage

Our Goal

Preserving Our Legacy

Our mission is to honor and preserve the rich history of our beloved Emmanuel Episcopal Church, founded in 1887 in Rapid City, SD. Through this digital archive, we aim to share the stories, memories, and milestones that have shaped our community. We invite you to explore our collection of videos, photos, and documents, ensuring that the legacy of Emmanuel Episcopal Church continues to inspire future generations.

Recent Updates

12

Updated

OCT

As told by his son, Barry Jones

Walter Jones

Video

12

Updated

OCT

FDR - 80 Years Later

Document

12

Updated

OCT

2018 Thanksgiving Baskets 

Images

Timeline

A Walk Through Our History

Journey through the history of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, where each moment has been carefully preserved in our timeline. Here, you'll find a rich tapestry of videos, photos, and documents that chronicle the Explore the past, the growth, and the milestones that have defined our church since 1887.

1880-1900

1881 - 1st Service Lewis Hall (next to Firehouse restaurant)

1883 - North and South Dakota Divided

1887 - Little Church Building Cornerstone

1888 - Crown Cross Palm Stain Glass & Emmanuel Guild

1889-1892 - Rev. George Ware

1890-1913 - Progress Era

1891 - Parish Status

1891 - Rev. Bagnell

1893 - First U.S. Automobile

1893-1895 - Rev. Gooddale

1896-1899 - Rev. Lutton

1898 - Spanish-American War & 1st U.S. Motorcycle

1898 - Spanish-American War & 1st U.S. Motorcycle

1900-1910

1900-1907 - Rev. W.H. Sparling

1905 - Debt Free Church Dedication

1908-1910 - Rev. George S. Keller

1860-1880

1871 - Niobrara Missionary Jurisdiction

The earliest Episcopal Church missions to the Native Americans of note occurred under the direction of Bishop John Henry Hobart, who began missionary outreach in the early 19th century to the...

1874 - Niobrara Cross

Here is a summary about the design of the Niobrara Cross, given to those who are confirmed in South Dakota: Certificates of Baptism and Confirmation meant...

1876 - Rapid City Founded with name as "Hay Camp"

1877 - Phonograph Invented

1878 - Rev. Ashley

1910-1920

1911-1917 - Rev. Fulweiler

1914 - 1st U.S. Commercial Airline Flight

1914-1919 - World War I

1918-1919 - Rev. Clark

1919-1921 - Rev. Campbill

1920-1930

1921-1923 - Rev. Creasley

1924 - Independent Parish Status

1921-1923 - Rev. Todd

1928-1932/1934 - Rev. Prosser

1929-1940 - Great Depression

1930-1940

1933-1960 - Rev. Jerome Pipes

1935 - Mortgage Paid

1936 - Franklin Roosevelt Attended Church

1940-1950

1941-1945 - World War II

1945 - 1st U.S. Computer ENIAC

1950-1960

1950-1953 - Korean War

1954 - Education Building Cornerstone Dedication

1956 - Interstate Highway Act

1957 - Rectory Updates

1960-1970

1960 - Parking Lot Purchase

1960-1972 - Rev. Hanford L. King Jr.

1961-1975 - Vietnam War

1969 - First Moon Landing

1970-1980

1970 - Women Elected to Vestries

1971 - Walter H. Jones becomes 1st South Dakota Bishop

1972-1977 - Rev. Hewes Phillips

1973 - Wounded Knee Occupation

1974 - 11 Women Ordained as Episcopal Priests

1975 - Reformatted Newsletter

1978 - Rectory Sold

1978-1987 - Rev. David C. Anderson

1979 - Mission Statement Adopted

1990-2000

1990 - Construction Campaign

1990-1991 - Gulf War

2000-2010

2001 - Construction Campaign

2001 - Construction Campaign

2001-2021 - War in Afghanistan

2004 - Facebook Created

2007 - Kindle E-Book Created

2008-2013 - Rev. Rich Ressler

Learn More

To learn more about this project and how you can get involved, reach out to Greta Chapman via email at GretahChapman@Gmail.com

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