Three large bells stand on the front lawn. These bells are remnants of a structure that burned in the Chicago Fire. We are standing in front of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church. This church has a rich history spanning over 150 years.
Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church was Chicago’s first Swedish Lutheran congregation. It originated in 1853. The church first occupied a frame building. This building was on Superior Street between Wells and LaSalle. In 1868, a second structure was built. It stood at Sedgwick and Hobbie. This second building burned in the Chicago Fire. However it was reconstructed a year later.
In 1918, Immanuel followed its Swedish mission. It moved to the new Edgewater community. Here it merged with Lutheran Church on Glenwood and Rosedale. Two lots were purchased for a new building in 1920. These lots were former Kransz land. The construction cost about $110000.
The altar area is now a stage. It is the only evidence of the church’s former sanctuary. The original wood paneled altar rail adorns the present sanctuary’s rear balcony.
Immanuel’s east wing contains the present sanctuary. It was designed by Adolph Hanson and Einor Olson. This wing was added in 1952. It cost $500000. The sanctuary has a wealth of artistic symbolism. A 32-foot granite cross stands at the altar. Individually painted designs decorate the sides of each pew. Carved figures of Pope John XXIII, Nathan Soderblom, St. Birgitta and Swedish King Erik IX line the west wall.
The Schantz pipe organ was constructed in 1977. Its 2633 pipes frame a carved rose shaped window. This window sits at the center of the balcony. Heavenly musical figures are in its stained glass.
Stained glass windows under the balcony depict milestones in Immanuel’s history. These windows also appear in the adjoining Lanquist Memorial Chapel. Mrs. J.L. Forch donated this chapel. She was the daughter of architect Andrew Lanquist. He designed the Wrigley Building and Wrigley Field.
Immanuel’s exterior displays a modified Gothic style. It features red brick with Indiana limestone trim.
In 1853, Rev. Tuve N. Hasselquist founded Immanuel Lutheran Church. He responded to a need for a Lutheran church. This church served the growing number of Swedish-speaking immigrants in Chicago. The congregation first met in a Norwegian Lutheran Church on Superior Street. They purchased the building a year later. This happened when the Norwegian church needed a larger structure. In 1856, a parochial school was added. It was located at the rear of the church. By 1868, Immanuel needed a larger building. It moved to the southwest corner of Sedgwick and Hobbie.
Immanuel endured the 1854 Cholera Epidemic and the 1857 Panic. It also survived the 1871 Chicago Fire. The fire destroyed the entire building. A.P. Monten saved Immanuel’s church records. He was a parochial schoolteacher. He piled the documents into a pushcart. Then he fled to the west side of Chicago.
After the fire, nine-tenths of the congregation was burned out. The insurance company was bankrupt. The church owed $22600 on a previous property debt. Rev. Erland Carlsson said he would resign if they declared bankruptcy.
The Immanuel people gathered at the charred ruins of their church. This was on October 23 1871. They held a service with Rev. Carlsson’s wagon serving as a pulpit. The service closed with the singing of “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” A new church building was constructed in 1872.
By the turn of the century, many Immanuel members moved to Edgewater. In 1918, Immanuel merged with the “Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church” in Edgewater.
The present Immanuel building on Elmdale was constructed in 1952. The interior sanctuary contains a wealth of artistic symbolism. An obvious feature is a 32-foot red granite cross. It stands at the altar. The cross is against an elaborate stained glass window.
More than 25 stained glass windows appear throughout the building. They depict scenes of scriptures and Immanuel’s history. The 46-rank 3-manual Schantz pipe organ is in the rear balcony. It was installed in 1977. Its 2633 pipes frame a carved rose-shaped window.
Princesses Birgitta and Desiree of Sweden visited Immanuel on November 13 1960. Prince Bertil of Sweden visited on November 21 1965.
Today Immanuel is no longer a strictly Swedish church. It provides a variety of activities to the Edgewater community.
Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church stands as a testament to faith and resilience. Its history reflects the story of Chicago itself. It is a place of beauty community and enduring spirit.