Chicago’s First Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church started with a blizzard. In 1843 nine men and some women braved the storm. They met at a grocery store. It stood at Franklin and Lake Streets. Their goal? To start a congregation. They chose Saint Paul as their name. Five men then sought a building lot.
Chicago’s first mayor helped. Mayor Ogden gave the German immigrants a lot. It was at LaSalle and Ohio Streets. The area was not ideal. Mud and swamps surrounded it. The men built a simple church. They saved money to buy materials.
Completed in 1844 the church was small. It was only 30×60 feet. A black velvet cloth covered a small table. This served as their altar. Furnishings were simple. They included a homemade lectern benches and a stove. A picture of the crucified Lord hung behind the altar.
Pastor Augustus T. Selle arrived in 1846. He preached the next day Easter Monday. His sermons fought false doctrines. These included Rationalism Roman Catholicism and Reformed churches. After two sermons a committee doubted the church would become Lutheran. They wanted an Evangelical congregation. Pastor Selle refused to compromise his beliefs. He drafted a new constitution. It was adopted with minor changes. He then became the congregation’s minister.
First Saint Paul’s hosted a key event. The Missouri Synod organized there in 1847. Pastor Selle became a member. The congregation moved. They met at the courthouse at Clark and Randolph. Later a chapel was built on Grand Avenue. It cost 400 dollars. The dedication occurred in 1849.
Pastor Heinrich Wunder became the pastor in 1851. Many immigrants knew him before Chicago. The congregation grew fast. People sought his help for housing and other issues.
After five years the chapel was too small. A new church was built. It stood at Franklin and Superior Streets.
The Great Chicago Fire struck in 1871. The fire destroyed the church. Pastor Wunder rescued vital records. He saved them from the flames. Contributions helped rebuild. The new church was almost identical. It was dedicated a year later.
Only one object survived. It was a statue of an angel. The inscription reads Fear God and give glory to him. You can see it in the church lounge today.
By 1910 the area became industrial. First Saint Paul’s bought a former synagogue. It was at LaSalle and Goethe Streets. In 1912 Norbert A. Fleischer became the first Sunday School teacher. The Ladies Aid was also organized.
Pastor Henry Kowert served from 1917. He participated in Luther Day. It was the largest Lutheran gathering at the Century of Progress World’s Fair in 1933. The church promoted itself. The Lutheran Exhibit attracted millions.
Thousands of servicemen found a home at First Saint Paul’s during the war. They enjoyed fellowship and lunches.
In 1949 Pastor James G. Manz arrived. The neighborhood changed. Different groups migrated to the area. This created challenges. The church focused on outreach. In 1961 Sunday School attendance reached 170 children.
The congregation wanted a new building. Fundraising began in 1965. The new church was dedicated in 1970. Architect Edward Dart designed it. He wanted a working church not a monumental one. The design aimed for closeness among members.
The interior contrasts light and space. The chancel area is brightly lit. A tall window lets in natural light. The brick wall behind the altar serves as an acoustical baffle. Granite and wood symbolize the union between the congregation and the sacrament. The pews are misaligned. This avoids rigid formality. The design expresses the church’s working ministry.