The Emmanuel Lutheran Church, located in the town of Dakota City , was the first Lutheran Church to be built in the Nebraska Territory. It is believed to be the oldest church building of any denomination in the state of Nebraska. The building also housed the territorial court for a number of years. Designed and constructed in 1860 by congregation member Augustus T. Haase, the church incorporates Greek Revival elements in its design, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The congregation was organized in 1859 by the Reverend Henry W. Kuhns, a Lutheran missionary sent to Nebraska Territory in 1858.

The church still stands as a monument to those pioneers gone before and a symbol of hope to all who come in the future.