The Lutheran church of Lanark, was organized December 30, 1874 in the Congregational church building, with eighteen members, by Rev. J. W. Henderson, who was the pastor of the then Maple Grove Lutheran Church. He was assisted in the service of organization by Rev. P. G. Bell, pastor of the Lutheran church at Polo. The present church building was erected during the pastorate of Rev. Henderson and dedicated January 28, 1877. After serving the charge four years he resigned and was succeeded by Rev. D. H. Shultz, who remained three years. During his incumbency the Maple Grove congregation was disbanded and the members united with Lanark. The parsonage was built during the pastorate of Rev. Shultz. After his departure, Rev. W. T. Bachtel, a Congregational minister, served the church as a supply from April 1, 1881 until July 1882. Rev. J. A. Beidler accepted a call and entered upon his work October 20, 1882, and continued until July 20, 1890. Rev. J. K. Reed, a theological student, supplied the church from July 27 until October 1, 1890. Rev. J. Kuhn was then called and began his labors March 1, 1891. He resigned October 1, 1895. He was followed by Rev. J. W. Thomas, who assumed pastoral charge on the same date. He discontinued the work October 1, 1898. Rev. M. Colver came to the work April 1, 1899, and was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Geo. Bollinger, Oct. 27, 1901.

The congregation has had a steady and healthy growth. Its present membership is one hundred and five. The congregation is well organized in all lines of church work, such as Sunday school, Christian Endeavor Society, Aid Society and Woman’s Home and Foreign Missionary Society. The need of the congregation is a more modern and suitable church building.