Here stands the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer a testament to faith. This church began with a small group of Lutherans. They wanted English services.
Let’s step back to April 19 1928. A meeting at Hawthorne Elementary School changed everything. Twenty-two English-speaking Lutherans gathered. They were splitting from Immanuel Lutheran Church. Immanuel only offered German services.
Easter Sunday April 8 saw the first service. It was in the school auditorium. Attendees came from Immanuel and Trinity Lutheran Church of Villa Park. Rev H H Hartmann guided them. He was a missionary from the Northern Illinois District. Rev H Prange also provided guidance. He was from Trinity Lutheran Church in Oak Park. By May 25 the group grew to 40. They approved a preliminary organization. They elected officers.
The congregation joined the English District of the LCMS. Women suggested the name Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church. It was accepted. The rolls closed with 109 charter members. Rev G Schuessler arranged visiting pastors. In October 1928, the English District approved the church’s constitution. On October 29, they elected their first officers. Dr Edward Marquardt led the building committee. They planned the first church facility.
In January 1929, land was purchased. It was on Kenilworth Avenue and St Charles Road. In April, Hotchkiss and Edgar were hired as architects. They had designed Immanuel Lutheran. The groundbreaking was on October 20 1929. The building was larger than needed. Members expected growth through missionary work.
By May 18 1930, the church was complete. It was described as modern Gothic. It was called one of Elmhurst’s most attractive worship houses. Three dedication services were held. Rev W F Wilk preached at 10:45 a.m. Erwin Miller led Redeemer’s choir. At 3:00 p.m., Rev G Schuessler preached. The St John Lutheran Church choir sang. Rev William Dallmann preached at 8:00 p.m. The West Suburban Male Quartet sang. Subsequent evenings featured different leaders and music.
Initially, a Møller pipe organ was installed. It was repossessed during the Great Depression. In 1953, a Reuter organ replaced it. Fifty years later, Ann Burns led an effort to enhance the Reuter organ. Berghaus Organ Co did the work. Church members sponsored individual pipes. They could take home old pipes removed in the renovation. The rededication was on May 23 2004. Four choirs sang hymns. Instrumentalists backed the organ.
In 1955, an annex was added. It provided classroom space. Rev Setzer used the same shovel from the 1929 groundbreaking. Rev Dr A R Kretzmann presided over the annex dedication.
“Titus Place” opened on January 2 1972. It was across from the church. It had a kitchen, classrooms and a commons area. It also housed the church office a pastor’s study and a gymnasium. Land was purchased from Immaculate Conception parish. Ground was broken in January 1971.
In 1977, a stained-glass window was installed. It was donated by Dr and Mrs Edward Marquardt. They were charter members.
Rev Worth Setzer was the first pastor. He was installed on October 7 1928. He served for nearly 31 years. In February 1958, he left for Cleveland Tennessee.
Rev George Bornemann became pastor on August 23 1959. He had founded congregations in Ontario. Bornemann left in 1976. Rev Richard Drews succeeded him in 1977. Rev Robert Fitzpatrick was installed in 2003. Rev Scott Stiegemeyer served from 2010 to 2015. The current pastor is Rev Anthony Oliphant. He was installed in 2015.
Lutheran Church of the Redeemer stands as a beacon. It reflects a history of adaptation growth and unwavering faith.