First United Lutheran Church

“A church born from a merger? Absolutely!” First United Lutheran Church in Chicago witnessed a pivotal moment in Lutheran history. On June 22, 1917, within the walls of the very building that would later become Unity Lutheran Church, two major Lutheran synods united. The General Council of the Lutheran Church and the United Synod in the South merged, forming the United Lutheran Church in America. This union marked a significant step towards greater unity among Lutherans in the United States. First United Lutheran Church, then known simply as Unity Lutheran Church, played a crucial role as the host of this historic event. This wasn’t the church’s only contribution to the community. Established in 1905 as a storefront church on Argyle Street, the congregation quickly outgrew its initial space. With support from the Synod and a Pennsylvania church, they built a chapel in 1906 at Balmoral and Magnolia. This original chapel, a testament to the congregation’s early growth, now serves as the church’s gym. The current church building was constructed in 1917, the same year as the historic merger. First United Lutheran Church has a rich history of service. In 1924, the church opened the Lutheran Christian Girls Home, providing housing for young women seeking employment in Chicago. Decades later, from 1970 to 1996, a day care center operated within the church, highlighting its ongoing commitment to community needs. Today, the space continues to serve the community through after-school tutoring provided by RefugeeONE. From its humble beginnings as a storefront church to its role in a major denominational merger, First United Lutheran Church has consistently served both its local community and the wider Lutheran world.