Friedens Lutheran Church was founded in 1907 by German immigrants from Russia who settled in Lincoln, Nebraska. Drawing on memories of the churches they left behind, the founding members designed and built a sanctuary that reflected their heritage, faith, and traditions.

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Originally, the church featured two steeples. However, a fire in 1925 destroyed the western steeple. It was never rebuilt, and subsequent renovations included the removal of a balcony that extended along the south wall of the sanctuary.

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In celebration of Friedens Lutheran Church's 100th anniversary in 2007, significant improvements were made to the building. These included remodeling projects, the addition of new restrooms, and the construction of new stairways connecting the basement and balcony levels, helping ensure the church remained accessible and welcoming for future generations.

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In recent decades, Friedens has been served by several dedicated pastors:

• Pastor Gordon Jorgensen (1977–1983)

• Pastor Fred Wolff (1985–1991)

• Pastor Delmar Klover (1992–2004)

• Pastor Howard Rasmussen (2006–2015)

• Pastor Katherine Woolf (2015–2019)

• Pastor Milfred "Bud" Christenson (2019–2026)

 

Today, Friedens Lutheran Church is home to approximately 150 confirmed members and is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) through the Nebraska Synod.

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Friedens is also honored to play a role in preserving the rich heritage of Germans from Russia. Through its historic building, congregation, and neighborhood connections, the church partners with the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia to celebrate and share this unique cultural legacy.