ABOVE: Our Savior Lutheran Church in Ceylon, at 306 W. Main Street, is closing after 126 years and having a special decommissioning service at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 20. Photo by Vanessa Schultze

CEYLON — For 126 years Our Savior Lutheran Church in Ceylon has faithfully called all to faith. On June 20, 2026 they will officially close the building and decommission the congregation at a 2 p.m. service at the church.

The congregation around 1870 was only a small flock and services were conducted in the homes of the Lutherans living in the area or the Lake Belt School. In 1900 the eight members built a church. The church building they built was surrounded by cornfields and was dubbed the Cornstalk Church. The present church building was built in 1927.A new entry was added in 1972.

Some of the pastors serving this congregation were: Pastor Ahner (by Blue Earth); Pastor Maesse (1884 who also served St. Paul Lutheran in Wilbert); Pastor Becker (also taught school); Pastor Schmeige (six families and also signed the constitution 1900); Pastor Kollmorgen; Pastor Fleischer (11 years); Pastor Mueller (the present church was built 1927); Pastor Marth (14 years);  Pastor Schmidt (10 years parsonage built 1951); Pastor Rottman (eight years); Pastor Haake (new entry 1972; Pastor Rogers (75th Anniversary 1975); Pastor Henkel (50th Anniversary of the present church); Pastor Duerr (five years); Pastor Brenner (died in Ceylon 1986); Pastor Haught (four years); Pastor Lutz (new organ installed-dual parish with Dunnell); Pastor Wetmore (100th Anniversary 2000); Pastor Reimers (present pastor).

The congregation entered into a dual parish with St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wilbert from 2003 to 2023. Pastor Reimers has been serving the congregation from 2023 to 2026 with services twice a month on Saturday evenings.

During the 1950s and 60s the membership was 250 or more and as the church closes the membership is 26.

Over the years many members have been involved in the church works. Several were organists including Irene Vollrath, Laura Milow and Maryann Janssen who has served as organist the last 55 years. The congregation had ladies society (LWML), youth group, choir, Sunday school and Bible Study groups.

One of the projects done by the youth group was to purchase and fill a display of confirmation pictures. One son of the congregation became a pastor, Lyle Halverson, and spoke at the 75th Anniversary service in 1975.

Changing the name of the congregation from St. John to Our Savior in the very beginning years told the area and Ceylon residents the commission fulfilled by the congregation to help make Christ- Our Savior. This has been done for 126 years, now other LCMS congregations must take up the work to further fulfill their commission.

The special service will be led by Pastor Russell Reimers and attended by Pastor Jeff Hagen from St.John Lutheran Church in Sherburn and various area pastors.

The Minnesota South District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod President, Lucas Woodford, will speak.

The members decided to have their last service on a Saturday since they have had Saturday evening services for quite a few years. The public is welcome to come to the 2 p.m. service on Saturday.