Grace was formally organized as a congregation on January 13, 1935, with 33 confirmed members and 45 baptized members.

The membership resolved to move to a permanent location at Manchester Avenue and Devonshire Street in 1937.  The dream was realized in 1942 by moving the chapel and a building a stone veneer around it.  The cornerstone was laid on June 28, 1942, and the church was dedicated on November 29, 1942.

Pastor Donald Comnick was installed as Grace's first full-time pastor on June 11, 1944.

During 1944, several organizations were organized. They were the Senior Luther League, the Sunday School Teachers Group, the Mary Martha Circle, the Junior Mission Band and the Women's Missionary Group.

Pastor Carlton Mall replaced Pastor Comnick in 1947. A parsonage was purchased for him at 1003 Bristol Avenue at this time.

Pastor Edward Gabel came to Grace in 1949.

In 1950, the total membership was 200 people. The church budget was $8,478. Pastor's salary was $2,650.  The coal bill for the year was $233.

In 1951, due to increased attendance, Grace went from one to two Sunday Services on September 30, 1951. The Brotherhood served its first Spaghetti Dinner and the Women of the Church serve their first Smorgasbord.

In 1952, extensive remodeling of the church's interior was done. George Saffran was the first member of Grace to be ordained into the ministry.

The first major building addition for Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church was authorized in 1953. Plans were made to reverse the interior of the nave, construct choir trancepts, build an office for the pastor behind the altar, remodel the kitchen facilities and provide more Sunday School classroom space.

The building project was completed in 1955 at a cost to Grace was $30,000, provided by a mortgage with 4.5% interest.

In 1956, the present main parsonage was built.

The Brotherhood had their first Pancake Day in 1957 with 1,200 people being served.

Throughout its 45 years Grace has always had excellent choirs.  In 1958 the Youth Choir had 90 voices.

In 1959, the Sunday School purchased the statue for the yard.  Imported from Italy, it is Thornwalden's rendering of Christ and Two Children.

The red hymnal was adopted for use by Grace in 1960. Church membership had grown to 880 people. The congregation approved the building project for the present church.

Pastor Gabel accepted a call in 1961, and Pastor Thomas Herbon was called to service at Grace.

Gerald Samuel served Grace as a Vicar from 1960 through 1963.

Our beautiful church was completed and dedicated in 1964. With a new church, fellowship hall and Sunday School classrooms, Grace had the room needed by its growing congregation.

David Strang served Grace as an intern from 1963 through 1965.

Erwin Buck served Grace as an intern from 1965 to 1966.

In 1966, Pastor Walter Burzloff became Assistant Pastor at Grace until his retirement in 1970.  He had played a major role in helping Grace dating back to the 1940’s.

In 1967, Pastor Herbon accepted a call to another congregation.  A call was issued to Pastor John Kelly.

Rev. Norwood Knudson joined Grace as Assistant Pastor in 1971 and served us until 1972.

Pastor John Jorgensen became the Assistant Pastor in 1972  and became the Senior Pastor in 1973 when Pastor Kelly accepted another call.

The Grace Christian Seniors started their fellowship in 1972. With 70 members, they are one of Grace's most active organizations.

Pastor Oliver Sidney became the Assistant Pastor in 1976 and served us until 1977.

In 1977, Pastor Duane Nelson became Grace's pastor after Pastor Jorgensen accepted a call.

In 1978, Pastor Harvey Feustel came to Grace when Pastor Nelson accepted a call.

In 1980, Grace Lutheran joined with Faith Lutheran to sponsor a Vietnamese Refugee Family.

In March, 1980, Grace called Tacy Lackore to be a Tentmaker.  Her goal will be to rejuvenate the youth program at Grace with the help and support of all its members.

In February of 1980, new hymnals (green book) were ordered to replace the 20 year old red hymnals.

In November 1980 the bus was sold for $700.00 to New Life Lutheran Church in Bolingbrook.

Parsonage II was sold for $58,000.00 in 1982.

A one service format was begun in June of 1982.

Grace was chosen to present a pilot bible study called Search during 1982.

Grace celebrated their final mortgage payment with a mortgage burning ceremony and dinner on February 27, 1983.

On May 21, 1983, Grace held their first rummage sale which was a success.

1984 saw the start of the Tele-care program at Grace with fifteen callers enrolled to communicate a Christian concern and interest to both active and inactive members.

Ashes were made available to the congregation for those who desired it for Ash Wednesday in 1984.

In the fall of 1984 the two service format was resumed.