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East Dundee's Immanuel Lutheran buys local landmark land

Students and staff from Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in East Dundee took an impromptu walk on Thursday afternoon after it was announced that the organization had completed the process to purchase the former D'Angelo Natural Spring Water property, just to the east of the school along Main Street. Using a bull horn so the entire crowd could hear, Sue Domeier, Immanuel's principal, made the announcement.

The group joined together in a prayer of thanksgiving, saying "we thank you for the gift of this land and for the vision of this congregation … We ask you to bless us as we continue to learn and grow in this place."

Afterward, Domeier invited the student body to "be the first feet on this land" and had the school's eighth-grade class lead the crowd on a quick tour. "It seemed fitting that those small feet would be the first ones to step on this new land, as they represent our future."

Before returning to classes, the student body serenaded Domeier with a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday," as she celebrated her birthday Thursday. When wished a warm "Happy Birthday" while standing on the newly acquired acreage with bullhorn in hand showing students some of its features, she quipped "It is now! What a great day!"

The Rev. Phillip Baerwolf, Immanuel's associate pastor, joined Domeier for a brief walk around the main building to see the fountain that marks the spring. Gretchen DeWitt's afternoon kindergartners were treated to a special tour to see the spring and the pond. They marveled about the tall trees and possibility of fishing in the pond. Kindergartner Ethan M. asked Domeier about signage for the property, "Can we put a sign up, 'fishing for kindergarten only'?"

Immanuel has been working on the details of the purchase since early 2016 with the former owners, looking to expand the campus and to help shape the use of this land with its frontage right on Main Street (Route 72).

"As a resident of East Dundee myself, I love the revitalization efforts and the improvements going on all over the village. Our church and school date back to before East Dundee was incorporated and we want to continue that history of being a positive part of this community," Baerwolf said. "I am sure this new property will help us to shape the future for those in the area."

Immanuel Lutheran Church and School recently celebrated 155 years in the community. For information, email Julia Heinz at jheinz@immanuel-ed.org or call Principal Sue Domeier at (847) 428-1010.

Visit immanuel-ed.org or www.facebook.com/immanuelschooleastdundee/

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