Get me to the church on time!

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This beautiful 18 x 24 foot National Historical Monument still bears the original inscription placed there in 1906 "Ev. Luth. KIRCHE" (Evangelische Lutherische Kirche) a reminder of the people's origin. This amazing church sits on its original location in the beautiful foothills of Mt. Rainier. The church quietly watches the town of Elbe Washington as it has since 1906. Elbe Washington has a rich German heritage and bears the name of the founders' origin, the Elbe river valley near Hamburg Germany. The town founder, Heinrich Lutkens, donated the land and the material for the church. The church organization originally began in 1893. The church construction did not occur until 1906. Pastor Karl Kilian designed this elegant church and the town's people built it. Pastor Kilian served these mountain dwellers from 1906 to 1933. The church has a 4-foot iron cross on top of the 46-foot bell tower-steeple which houses its original bell. The church still contains many original items such as a Farrand and Votey bellows organ manufactured in Detroit Michigan, its original altar, one original pew, and the original "Klingelbeutel" (a small red velvet bag with a bell on it to collect offerings). Dr. Ervin E. Krebs conducted the historical research of this tiny church. His efforts added this church to the National Historic Register in 1976. The church still holds services every third Sunday of the month from March through November at 2:30pm. Please join us if you are in the area and have a look inside. It is a popular place for weddings too. Experience the simple charm of this tiny church where time meets eternity. Volunteers care for and maintain this church. The volunteers rely solely on donations to replace and maintain the church property