July 2024
St. John’s Lutheran Church in Country Club Hills, Illinois recently acknowledged her 175th anniversary. That makes her only two years younger than the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod itself!
On July 14, 2024, she held a special service commemorating this occasion. The theme of the day’s celebration was “Celebrating the past…Embracing the future,” and what a past they have had! Can you imagine the generations of sheep cared for and tended to, learning about God’s loving gift of grace and salvation?
Here’s a bit of history from her very early days…
“On the fifth of July in the year 1849, I, Wolfgang Simon Stubnatzi of Fuerth in Franconia, having completed my studies at the theological seminary in Fort Wayne, IN, and having successfully passed the examination of the honorable synod of Missouri, Ohio, and other states, and being duly called by…twelve Lutheran heads of families and on the same day, after I had preached a sermon on Psalm 119:92, I was solemnly ordained and installed in the name of the above mentioned synod into my office as pastor by Pastor Selle of Chicago in the home of Mr. Magnus.
Since there was neither a church nor a parsonage, the young congregation felt obligated to accept the offer of Mr. Magnus to conduct divine service in his house…Soon it happened that Mr. Magnus left the congregation, and the church and school were conducted in Mr. Werfelmann’s home. The school opened with four pupils but the number of children increased more and more.
Forty acres of land were purchased for the price of $65.00 from Christoph Gruenhagen in 1850. After much deliberation and discussion, it was decided to build a house on this land which was to serve as church-school-parsonage. I was able to occupy it on February 17, 1851 with thanks to God. On the following Sunday, February 24, 1851, the upper room was dedicated as our church. A number of families joined the congregation, so that in the year of 1852 thirty some families are numbered.” Soli Deo Gloria ˜W.S. Stubnatzi
Isn’t that fantastic? What a wonderfully rich and interesting history!
Look at the arch above the chancel area in this photo…Luke 11:28 “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.” Generation upon generation of Lutheran families have been blessed to hear the word of God in this place.
The Rev. Dr. Allan R. Buss (President of the LCMS Northern Illinois District) was privileged to be asked to preach at such a momentous occasion, “The Sheep gather as they have to be fed and led. What an honor…After all these years, now what?…Be the Church we are called to be.”
We celebrate this milestone along with St. John’s Lutheran Church in Country Club Hills, Illinois. May they continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus, serving the surrounding community and speaking the love of God to generations to come!
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