Latimer Lutheran Church Preservation Society

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Latimer, KS
Latimer Lutheran Church Preservation Society

Our Mission - Preserve the Latimer Church and its property, share its history and local heritage with the surrounding community and public at large.

06/05/2026

Breakfast tastes better when it helps save history.

Join us, Saturday, June 13, for our Pancakes for Preservation Breakfast from 7:00–10:00 a.m. and help preserve one of Kansas' most unique WWII historic sites.

Tell us in the comments: What's your favorite pancake topping? Butter, syrup, fruit, chocolate chips, or something else?

06/03/2026

Here’s a recent photo of our sanctuary, taken from the altar. Impressive, isn't it?

This National Historic building has witnessed generations of stories. Originally serving as a WWII military chapel for three years in the 1940’s, it then became the home of the Zion Lutheran Church congregation for the next 72 years.
It holds generations of military, faith, and family stories within its walls.

For anyone who was a member of Zion Lutheran or attended services here, do you remember where your family sat in the pews and why? We'd love to hear your memories—please share them in the comments!

05/29/2026

There’s just something special about a freshly mowed lawn to make the church grounds shine. Thank you, David Spiker, for your work.

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Our historic chapel holds a small yet meaningful direct link in our nation’s military history. Our building began as a WWII military chapel located at the Herington Army Airfield base in Kansas from 1942 to 1945. After the war ended, the building was bought by the former Zion Lutheran Church congregation and was moved to Latimer, Kansas, where it still stands today. While on the base, our chapel held religious services for all denominations (Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish) and for the soldiers stationed there, providing spiritual comfort, counseling, and moral support.
Though the battles of WWII have long since ended, this chapel remains a place of remembrance and reflection. We are also deeply proud of our connection to Father Emil J. Kapaun, a native of Pilsen, Kansas, who served here for 14 months during WWII as an Auxiliary Chaplain, celebrating Catholic Mass for soldiers. Today, Father Kapaun is being considered for Sainthood in the Catholic Church.

May we never forget the cost of liberty.

05/20/2026

Come hungry, enjoy breakfast, and help save a National Historic WWII military chapel.

05/13/2026

We are incredibly honored that the Latimer Lutheran Church Preservation Society has been selected for the 2026 Emporia Community Foundation Match Day for the third time!

We are excited and passionate about continuing to work toward our funding goals for several important restoration projects. Stay tuned for more details!

This year, we are one of 37 organizations chosen to participate — the largest number of Match Day participants yet. ECF Match Day has become one of the largest fundraising events in our area, supporting organizations that work to strengthen and improve our communities.

We are deeply thankful to the Emporia Community Foundation for once again selecting our organization, helping increase awareness of our mission, and stretching donor contributions through matching funds to make an even greater impact on our preservation efforts.

04/26/2026

Many of you may already know—but some may not—that our building began as a WWII Army chapel in 1942 at the Herington Army Airfield base.

After the war, it was moved to Latimer in 1949 for the congregation of Zion Lutheran, which disbanded in 2021, and it has stood there ever since.

Today, it remains one of the most original chapels of its kind still in existence in the State of Kansas. Which is why it was designated as a National Historic Site in 2024.

It’s more than a building—it’s a piece of history worth preserving.

And thanks to many of you, that story continues.

04/05/2026

Happy Easter from the Latimer Lutheran Church Preservation Society! Take a look; new signs of life are all around us - flowers blooming, trees budding, and grass turning green once again.

Remember that this beauty and new life pale compared to Easter, the festival of our Lord's resurrection. Easter gives us assurance of eternal life in Jesus Christ and the certainty of our own resurrection.

Christ is risen; he is risen indeed, Hallelujah!

04/03/2026

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” - Luke 23:34

Today is Good Friday, which commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ at Calvary, just outside the walls of Jerusalem.

Good Friday services are very solemn and an austere time of reflection and the adoration of Christ, the sacrificial Lamb. The altar is left bare of paraments, linens, and ornaments. Having been stripped on Maundy Thursday, the chancel is left bare until it is dressed again for Easter.

Former members of Zion Lutheran Church will immediately recognize this poignant, beautifully framed picture of Jesus with a crown of thorns. This picture has been hanging above the doors leading into the Sanctuary of Zion Lutheran Church for many, many decades, and still hangs there today.

May each of us remember the significance of Good Friday as we celebrate Holy Week.

04/02/2026

Today is Maunday Thursday, a day that's part of Holy Week leading up to Easter and was celebrated yearly at the former Zion Lutheran Church and likely also when our building was a Military Chapel at the Herington Army Airfield Base during WWII. For anyone not familiar with Maundy Thursday, below is a brief synopsis:

The word 'Maundy' comes from the Old French 'mandatum,' meaning "mandate or command."

This day commemorates the Last Supper, the final meal of Jesus Christ with his 12 disciples before his arrest and subsequent crucifixion. After they had eaten, Jesus gave the disciples his body and blood together with bread and wine for the forgiveness of their sins. Called Holy Communion or the Eucharist, Lutherans believe this to be one of two sacraments or gifts from God.

The story of the Last Supper also tells of the washing of the feet of the disciples by Jesus, urging them to do the same for one another. Jesus also taught them a new commandment - "To love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another." (John 13:34).

Towards the end of a Maundy Thursday church service, it is customary to "strip the altar," symbolizing the abandonment of Jesus by disciples and the stripping of Jesus by the soldiers before his crucifixion. It represents the humiliation of Jesus and the consequences of sin as a preparation for the celebration of new life on Easter Sunday.

Address

106 Main Street
Latimer, KS
67449

Website

https://www.latimerchurchpreservation.org/

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