Sixteen German Lutheran families who settled at Sandy Creek formed a three-part congregation with Trinity of Monroe and Zoar, later St. Paul's, of Monroetown on Nov. 10, 1844, under the care of Rev. Geo. Wm. Hattstaedt. Services were held in McIntyre School until 1848, when a log church was built on land donated by Johann G. Schoennamsgruber. That year the church joined the newly formed Missouri Synod, and from the start it provided a Christian day school. The Rev. Herman Lemke became the first resident pastor in 1853. A brick church was dedicated in 1873, and after the 1969 sanctuary was completed it became Heritage Hall. By its 150th anniversary in 1994, Holy Ghost had grown to more than 800 members.