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Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church

History

Founded in 1858 with just 14 residents and a mission to establish a Lutheran church in Omaha, Kountze Memorial has grown and evolved to become a beacon of hope, love, and service to the community. The church’s early beginnings paved the way for a series of community partnerships, allowing for the establishment of numerous satellite churches and Sunday School Missions throughout Omaha. True to its mission of spreading Christ’s love, the church has continually sought innovative ways to reach out to the community. Alongside regular traditional Lutheran worship, Kountze Memorial offers services, including a weekly food pantry, a free healing medical clinic, and counseling services through Lutheran Family Services Counseling, all of which reflect the church’s unwavering commitment to serve and care for those in need and in search of Christ’s love. With its rich history of faithful ministry and dedication to service, Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church looks forward to continuing to grow into Christ’s calling and serving its neighbors with love and compassion.

Cool Timeline

1931
1931 | Rev. Walter Traub
1931 | Rev. Walter Traub

An Omaha World-Herald article boasts that under Rev. Traub’s (1931-1959) leadership, Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church had grown to be the largest Lutheran church in the world.

1931 | Largest Confirmation Class in History

In the final year of Rev. Baltzly’s ministry, Kountze Memorial celebrates the largest confirmation class (363) in the history of the Lutheran Church, the 13th year in a row of record numbers.

1937
1937 | Sister Harriet Franklin

Sister Franklin is hired from the Deaconesses Mother House in Baltimore, MD and serves the congregation from 1937- 1949, overseeing the services at Kountze Sunday school missions.