'A jewel hidden under a rock'

Driving along Lake Street through Grayslake, one may pass by the little white church and not notice it.

There certainly are larger churches in the village.

But member Bill Nelson said St. Andrew's Episcopal Church stands out. After all, it's been a part of the village for 100 years, earning the title as the longest-standing church in the village.

"We're a jewel hidden under a rock."

"We're really proud of it," he said. "The community should be."

While the Rev. Jane Clark has only led the church for a year, she also knows St. Andrew's is small but has been a big part of the village.

The church held its first evening Mass in 1907 at the village hall, led by the Rev. William E. Toll. In 1913, the ladies auxiliary formed and raised $1,000 to purchase the land at Lake and Park streets. The current church was built at that site in 1927.

Serving as architect and builder was Carl F. Clausen, grandfather of current parish member Penny Larsen.

Today, between 90 and 110 people come to the church to its Saturday night Eucharist and two Sunday services.

Moving from Ohio to Grayslake, Nelson said it's the close-knit feeling that brings him and his wife, Colleen, there.

"As you walk in the door, there is a feeling of family," he said.

The church organizes events throughout the year to bring the congregation closer. These range from coffee hour after Sunday worship to potluck brunch in January, grill nights in the summer and a Blessing of the Animals in September.

Leading a small church is something that attracted Clark to St. Andrew's, who chose a new career path later in life.

Clark worked for 20 years as a critical care nurse but said she felt a calling for a long time. So at age 49, with some nerves, she earned her second master's degree in divinity. Toward the end of her studies, she worked at a small church in Austin, Minn.

"It hit me I need to be a parish priest," she said.

Clark said the church focuses on being a part of and celebrating the community. She wants to continue to welcome people into its doors.

"The reason why I first became interested to come here is people were committed. People work hard. People care for the historical value of the church," she said.

Mike Perillo, who has belonged to the church for nine years, said the church has followed a liturgically stable and conservative path. While the worship services have remained the same, the church is accepting and moving toward change.

"The best example of change is the second female rector in the recent history of the church," he said.

Gordon Benson, a Libertyville resident who has belonged to the church for more than 40 years, said what stands out is the dedication by the women within the church.

This ranges from their work organizing the annual smorgasbord in the 1960s to 1970s to help pay bills, to starting the children's library, beautifying the garden and helping the area's needy.

"It is quite a record achievement the ladies of St. Andrew's have sustained," he said. "They have always done in quiet, dignified ways."

The church's leadership has been marked by dark moments. The Rev. Kenneth Behrel, who led the church from 1985 to 2001, was found guilty in February 2002 of molesting a 14-year-old boy at a boarding school in Maryland. Clark said the news led some within the church to leave.

Clark said when the Rev. Claire Tenny came to lead the church in 2003, she began to build the place back up.

One way she did that was to start a new outreach ministry called Elijah's Mantel. The goal is to clothe needy children infants up to size 16.

Inside the church, one room has become a children's store featuring boys' and girls' clothing, most donated by individuals. Clark said the second Saturday of each month, they give three to four outfits to each child.

"You end up with a good feeling helping someone else who is in need," Nelson said.

Church members also collect and deliver non-perishable foods to the Avon Township Food Bank year round and give toys to needy children through its toy drive, Clark said.

The church finds new ways to welcome more of the community through its doors. Most recently, the church received an Accessible Faith Grant from the Retirement Research Foundation to build a handicap accessible ramp and handicap accessible bathrooms.

"It's a way to show that our church is accessible to all the people," Clark said.

Church members have planned various ways to celebrate its 100th anniversary, including a cookbook featuring recipes given by members. The Grayslake Historical Society also has put together an exhibit to honor the church's history.

Children have had a part, too, by making newspapers to document moments in the church's history.

"We want the kids to know you are a part of history to give the kids a place in the history," said Vicki Gutmann of Round Lake, who helps lead the children's education.

Although they occupy the oldest church in town, Clark said their motto is to focus on the future. The church will look where it should be led.

"God calls us to do different things. We'll explore that as we go. We don't want to expend all our energy into growth but meet people's needs as we do it," she said.