Saint John's Lutheran Church -- La Grange
47th and Brainard
LaGrange, Illinois
(708) 354-1690
Reverend James P. Haberkost, Sr. Pastor
Reverend David L. Smith, Associate Pastor

Lutherans gathered at the home of Louis Soiling, and established Saint John's Church in 1886. Twenty people, mostly from Immanuel Lutheran Church in Proviso Township (Hillside), founded the church. Pastor John Stricter came to La Grange to hold services at the southeast corner of Brainard Avenue and 47^th Street. This location was part of the Sieling farm.

In 1894, the congregation constructed an $8,500 frame building across the street on the southwest corner. This wooden structure stood for about 70 years, its tall bell tower forming a well-known landmark. For all those years, the clear-toned bell made a pleasant and familiar sound every Sunday.

Reverend Alex Ullrich, the first resident pastor, became as venerable and popular as the church and its bell, serving his congregation for more than 48 years. He came to La Grange a bachelor, but married Alma Selle of Milwaukee in 1903. That same year, the Lutherans built a parsonage at 309 South Stone Avenue.

In 1911, the church purchased the North (public) School on North Kensington for $7,600 in order to house Saint John's Lutheran School. Two years later, a new assembly hall on the second floor of this building was dedicated. This structure housed the regular day school and Sunday school until 1955.

Lightning struck the church bell tower in 1914, but caused only minor damage.

In 1928, the practice of reading services in German and English began, and continued on the first and third Sundays of the month until 1942.

In 1940, the church underwent remodeling at a cost of $20,000.

The Lutherans sold their school on North Kensington and built a new education building adjoining the church in 1955. The same year, the congregation established a church and Sunday school in La Grange Highlands, Hope Lutheran.

In 1966, Saint John's membership consisted of 1,177 communicants and 254 school pupils. Within two years the "little white church" was replaced by a red brick structure of modern design, with a bell tower and two bells.

In 1977, membership stood at 1,143 communicants and 130 students.

Nursery Available

Several sources were used in the compilation of these entries including but not limited to:

• Images of America -- La Grange and La Grange Park, Illinois by RoseAnna and Robert Mueller, Arcadia Publishing
• La Grange Centennial History 1879-1979, William J Cromie, Editor, La Grange Area Historical Society, 1979

Photograph by Jim Arbuthnot

Last Modified:  04/08/2003