In the beginning, on Friday, the 11th day of September 1959, 13 people gathered in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Finkenbinder on Fourth Avenue SE to launch a Southern Baptist witness in Cedar Rapids. They were Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Finkenbinder and daughter Susan, Mr. and Mrs. Wendell Plummer and daughters Deborah and Patty, Miss Harriet Wigger, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Carter and son Artie and Mr. and Mrs. Everett Moore.
The Rev. and Mrs. Everett Bryant, representing the Missouri Baptist Convention, also met with the group to give guidance in electing officers and setting up a full program of operation. Wendell Plummer was elected moderator; Harriett Wigger, clerk; and Everett Moore, treasurer.
At the first business meeting held Sept. 26, 1959, in the Plummer home on Mount Vernon Road SE, the name "Immanuel" (meaning: "God with us") was recommended and unanimously approved. A report was presented noting the YMCA theater was available to hold services at $10 per week, including both Sunday services and Wednesday evening prayer meetings. The first Sunday school and services were held Oct. 4.
On Nov. 10, 1959, the Rev. J.T. Elliff, pastor of Bethany Baptist Church in Kansas City, Mo., and Bro. L.J. Largen, chairman of Bethany's Missions Committee, made a trip to Cedar Rapids to inform the young congregation of its intent to sponsor this new work by providing seminary students to preach each Sunday and assist in the purchase of property for a new building site.
On Nov. 22, 1959, Mr. and Mrs. Perry Hicks were accepted into the church by promise of letter from Fairview (Iowa) Baptist Church. They were the first members to be added since the organizational meeting.
On Nov. 29, 1959, a trial sermon was preached by Brother Lewis Miller, a student at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Following the Dec. 2 business meeting he was approved as pastor following his graduation from seminary. He arrived Jan. 20, 1960, and preached his first sermon as pastor on Jan. 24.
