Here at the corner of Belmont and Greenview Avenues stands Saint Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. This is not just a building. It is a testament to faith and community in Chicago’s Lake View neighborhood.
Saint Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church has a rich history. It began with Assistant Pastor John Mueller from St. James Lutheran Church in Lincoln Park. He wanted to start a Christian Day School and gather members for a new congregation. This vision led to the founding of Saint Luke Church in 1884.
The story of Saint Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church continues with its school. In 1904, Saint Luke Lutheran School opened on Belmont Avenue and Perry Street. The church and school have grown together. From 1961 to 1967, the church was renovated. A new school facade was added at 1500 W. Belmont Avenue.
Saint Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church stands as an architectural statement. The groundbreaking for the current building occurred in April 1959. Designed by Chicago architect Charles A. Stahl, the church was dedicated in October 1960.
Earlier, the congregation met in a brick Gothic building with a central tower. In 1905, a new school building was erected next door. The school building retained its original facade. Subsequent additions have made it almost unrecognizable.
The 1950s church design shows Frank Lloyd Wright’s influence. Saint Luke is indisputably a vertical building. It soars like a Gothic cathedral, tall and narrow. Long wood laminate beams rise straight up. They turn at the top to support the shallow gabled ceiling.
Inside Saint Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, the choir loft is unique. It is a balcony that spans the rear of the sanctuary. Supported only on the sides, it creates a grand foyer. This foyer is as tall as the main sanctuary.
The children’s choir loft is a small room. It overlooks the altar on the west side of the sanctuary. The church also holds a substantial art collection. Permanent and seasonally rotating elements enhance the space.
The stained glass is strategically placed. A grand burst of rising waves of color emerges from behind the altar. At the back of the church, tall, narrow windows display biblical symbols. Two vines wind their way skyward.
Saint Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church is a welcoming community. It offers both virtual and in-person gatherings. On Sundays, there is Bible Class, worship, coffee and fellowship. Weekday services and studies are also available.
If you are driving, there is ample free parking behind the building. Enter from Melrose Street. Saint Luke is accessible by public transportation. The Brown and Red lines and the Ashland and Belmont bus routes serve the area.
Saint Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church is more than bricks and mortar. It is a place of faith, community, and artistic expression. As you leave Saint Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, remember its mission. The mission is fostering curiosity, building community and developing character. Since 1882, it has been a beacon in the Lake View neighborhood.