Book recounts 100 years of Lutheran church in Itasca

In order to prepare for the next 100 years, members of Itasca's Lutheran Church of St. Luke want to be clear on where they've been for the first 100.

Thankfully, longtime member Gerald Danzer also happens to be an author and professor of history emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

With the contributions of talent, historical memorabilia and dollars from other church members, Danzer has published "The Lutheran Church of St. Luke, A Centennial History 1907-2007."

Danzer said the congregation needed a new start and a way to put things together as a yearlong celebration of its 100th anniversary came to an end.

"This book is a product of interaction and intended to stimulate some thought in the parish and in the community," Danzer said. "In the end, we now have something that will gear us up to go another 100 years."

Settling in

Danzer's book talks about how Lutheran traditions arrived with Itasca's first settlers in 1843.

Originally, those families worshipped in Bensenville, or Churchville as it was called at the time, in churches along Church Road.

They sent their children to German Lutheran schools scattered around the area. One of those schools was established in Itasca in 1885.

As the number of Lutheran residents grew, so did the need for a Lutheran church in Itasca.

The residents raised money. And on July 14, 1907, plans were made to establish St. Luke's congregation.

Five months later, on Dec. 22, 1907, the first services were held in the historic structure widely known today as the "steeple church" at 210 S. Walnut St. in Itasca.

"The workmanship is beautiful, and they got it all done in five months," said Rev. Terry McReynolds, St. Luke's pastor. "That says a lot about their schedule and how important this was to them."

A school was formed and enrollment boomed to 74 by 1921. Then in 1926, regular English worship services were added on two Sundays a month.

A new beginning

By the late 1950s, membership outgrew the steeple church.

Meanwhile, St. Luke's officials were looking to combine the church and school. Both were moved in 1962 to their existing 10-acre location at 410 S. Rush St.

Much different than the steeple church, the new digs came with a church, parish hall, offices, four classrooms and a playground.

"It's got a different look to it, but the new church helped fit the growing congregation," Danzer said. "And we're still there today."

Over time, an early education wing was added. Children created the Garden of Hope near the preschool entrance in 2002. And in 2006, a fundraising drive kicked off to allow for the remodeling of the sanctuary.

Now more than 1,064 baptized members regularly fill the church. They spent 2007 celebrating the centennial and preparing for the future.

The steeple church

Though St. Luke's congregation hasn't occupied the steeple church for more than four decades, the two always will be connected.

"It's a local landmark that we've all come to enjoy because of its beauty," local historian Joyce Usher said of the structure.

"It's the most recognizable symbol we'll ever see," she said. "I mean, we even have it on the village Christmas ornaments."

Danzer said the "town has come to adopt" the historic structure.

"Originally, the plan was to tear the steeple down and build a new church," he said. "You'd never hear any talk of that in town today."

Over the years, however, proposals have come before village officials to turn the steeple into anything from a used car lot to an antique store, Usher said

"Thankfully, our local officials are smart enough and deeply rooted enough not to let that happen," she said. "Eventually, if the Itasca Baptist Church sells it, it would be ideal for the village to purchase it to ensure it's preserved forever."

Lutheran Church of St. Luke's first 100 years

1907: First service are held at the "steeple church" along Walnut Street in Itasca on Dec. 22, five months after the congregation's founding.

1913: The congregation buys a pipe organ for $1,500.

1914: First use of the English language during a worship service.

1921: School enrollment reaches 74.

1932: Tornado damages church.

1943: Church council established.

1962: Members gather for the final time in the steeple church on Feb. 18. A week later, they gather to worship at the existing church at 410 S. Rush St.

1997: Parish adopts its first $1 million budget for 1998.

2001: The Itasca Baptist Church raises about $20,000 to replace many of the steeple church's siding and windows.

2007: 100th anniversary celebrated.

Sources: "The Lutheran Church of St. Luke, A Centennial History 1907-2007" and "The History of Itasca."