Emanuel had its beginnings in 1889 when the Reverend Carl Siebke resigned as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, New Haven, to organize a new congregation in the same city.  Parish records, written in German, begin with pastoral acts in November , 1889.  Emanuel was formally  organized on June 8, 1890.

Emanuel bought a frame church building formerly the Mission branch of the Center Church on the Green  on April 29, 1891.  The building was located at 280 Humphrey Street, the site of the present brick structure.  Already, in the early days of history, there was a close association with the Swedish Lutheran Church.  The present Church was dedicated on April 29, 1928, exactly 37 years later.

Visitors to Emanuel remark on its beauty, especially the lovely stained glass windows, stone alter, and red carpeting.