Valparaiso in Porter County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Heritage Lutheran Church

Photographed by Lou Donkle, January 15, 2026

1. Heritage Lutheran Church Marker

Inscription.
Immanuel Lutheran Church was founded in 1864 and built its first church at Academy and Chestnut in 1886. In 1881 the congregation purchased property at Washington and Institute and built a small church which served them ten years. In 1891 the well-known builder, Henry Lemster, and his son Charles erected the present structure. With its lofty domed ceilings and its smoothly finished walls, the resulting acoustics are splendid, and the fine tall stained-glass windows emit a flood of light. In 1930 Immanuel built the Parish Hall. Which also served as its day school.

On Thursday, July 31, 1975, a fire gutted the church, destroying the interior, cracking the stained-glass windows, and melting the organ pipes. Immanuel congregation relocated to a new church site in northeast Valparaiso, Some 60 members of Immanuel, wishing to restore the damaged building, formed a sister congregation named Heritage Lutheran Church. The first service was held in the refurbished Parish Hall on Reformation Day, October 31, 1976. For two years the members cleaned, repaired, scrubbed, painted, and paid professionals to restore the church to its

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original structure and design. The restored structure was rededicated to the praise and glory of God on October 29, 1978.

Erected 2025 by Central Neighborhood Association with a Neighborhood Improvement Grant funded by the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is July 31, 1975.

Location. 41° 28.291′ N, 87° 3.652′ W. Marker is in Valparaiso, Indiana, in Porter County. It is at the intersection of Washington Street and Institute Street, on the right when traveling north on Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 308 Washington Street, Valparaiso IN 46383, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northwest Indiana

and in the Calumet Region.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

Marker in front of church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, January 15, 2026

2. Marker in front of church

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Central Triangle (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Corner of Washington and Jefferson Streets (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of the First School House in Valparaiso 1837 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Porter County (Indiana) Veterans (approx. ¼ mile away); Old Sac Trail (approx. ¼ mile away); The Lincoln Highway (approx. ¼ mile away); The story of Orville Redenbacher and Charlie Bowman (approx. ¼ mile away); Porter County Memorial Hall (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Valparaiso.

Church Cornerstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, January 15, 2026

3. Church Cornerstone

1891 - Immanuel
1976 - Heritage Lutheran

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 28, 2026, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 60 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 28, 2026, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.