100 years strong
St. Lawrence Episcopal Church is still going strong after 100 years of mission and ministry in downtown Libertyville.
The success, leaders say, begins with its members.
"I think our church is welcoming and inclusive; we have an incredible warmth and family support here at St. Lawrence," said Sue Montgomery, a parish administrator. "We put a value on children, fellowship and faith."
The St. Lawrence congregation consists of just under 600 members who have bonded as a close-knit community in the Anglican tradition, church officials said.
Its doors are open to anyone seeking support and a place to worship.
In conjunction with the 100-year anniversary, the church is hosting special events throughout this summer and the rest of the year. St. Lawrence is expecting visits from former pastor, the Rev. Jed Holdorph and interim pastor, the Rev. Thomas Rosa. The Libertyville church will also see its first official visit from Jeffrey Lee, the new bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago on Nov. 2.
"Not only will he be here to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of our church, he will also preside over the service that day," said the Rev. Patricia Snickenberger. "The church is planning on hosting baptisms, and a special brunch after the service."
St. Lawrence will also host the 100th anniversary Gala on Sept 13. The semiformal event will include a sit-down dinner, silent auction and a performance by local "The Legends."
Tickets for the event cost $75 if purchased before July 15, and $85 after.
The current building off Church Street in Libertyville is a combination of the parish hall built after a fire in 1917 and a new parish hall addition built in 2004. A choir room, classrooms and offices in the older building also were renovated as part of the 2004 project.
Members at St. Lawrence said the addition has architecturally added to the presence of their church.
"In our new parish hall, we replaced the original pews that were part of the original building and replaced them with chairs," Snickenberger said. "It's not only a sacred place, but has also been used by guest concert pianists, chamber groups, the North Suburban Symphony and Lake County United."
St. Lawrence has expanded its outreach to people in neighboring communities, and parishioners traveled to Long Beach, Miss. in 2006 and 2007 to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina. From October to April, on the fourth Tuesday of each month, parishioners also help the disadvantaged at PADS - Public Action to Deliver Shelter - at Wildwood Presbyterian Church. St. Lawrence also serves 65 to 120 disadvantaged people at the Christ Church in Waukegan every Sunday.
"All of the involvement we have had within the community has been brought through the people at our church," Snickenberger said. "We have a strong relationship with each other, and when we want to do something, we take the ball and run with it."
Looking back throughout the church's 100 years of service, staff say St. Lawrence would not be the same church it is today if not for its members and their desire to help the community.
"We are very family-oriented," said senior warden Todd Seiler. "We are not only gifted with our new parish building, but most of all, blessed with the people."