West Chicago church celebrates 40 years

Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church is celebrating 40 years with an anniversary service at 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, at 1800 Joliet St., West Chicago.

The Rev. David Rutschow from Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church in Downers Grove will be the guest preacher. Former members Sharon Mazurek and Melody Brigowatz will serve as guest organist and choir director respectively. A dinner will follow the worship service.

The church began with an exploratory service on Oct. 14, 1973, at Indian Knoll School in West Chicago. Eleven people attended the service that was led by the Rev. Terry Deters.

In December 1974, the congregation chose its current name and the following year purchased its site on the corner of Joliet Street and Route 59 in West Chicago. The parsonage was built in 1978.

A modular chapel was purchased in September 1978 and moved to the church property. A new church with chapel, fellowship hall, kitchen, office and bathrooms was dedicated on Feb. 9, 1986. A 4,000-square-foot educational wing with classrooms, bathrooms, offices, and kitchen were added to the 1986 building in 2001.

From January 1997 to May 2013, Hope Lutheran Church supported a preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds. Over those years, close to 300 children learned not only the necessary education for entrance into kindergarten, but also about the love of God through Jesus.

Laura Whitney served the preschool at first as an assistant preschool teacher, which led to her serving as the preschool teacher/director for the majority of the school’s existence. The preschool held annual fall festivals, Thanksgiving feasts and family nights.

Throughout the 40 years, Hope held vacation Bible school for a week in the summer and it was always well-attended. One year there were 175 attendees and 80 volunteers. Hope held many events such as a fishing derby, divorce care, blood drives, flu shot clinics and Easter egg hunts.

Hope Lutheran Church offers Bible studies for men, women, and those who are out of high school; Sunday school; Sunday Bible class; teen Bible study; a women’s group; and boy and girl Pioneers. Worship is at 9 a.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Monday, except during Lent and Advent, when worship is at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The congregation has 136 members.

Hope Lutheran Church is a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. In 40 years, five pastors have served the congregation.

For more information concerning Hope Lutheran Church, contact the Rev. Alan Gumm at (630) 293-0756.