Redeemer Church ready to revel

One Elgin church is about to move into some rather elite company.

In January, the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer will join such longtime city institutions as the First Congregational Church, the Elgin Academy, and Elgin Masonic Lodge No. 117 in marking its sesquicentennial. The 150-year milestone will be celebrated by various special events throughout the year.

The beginnings of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer date back 150 years ago this month -- Dec. 26, 1857, to be exact -- when an itinerant priest, the Rev. J.H. Waterbury, recorded the following in his diary. "I rode up to Elgin and found no one able and willing to bear any responsibility for the beloved Church of which I was the humble servant."

"I put up a notice of a special service the next AM and PM, and then I retired."

The idea caught on, and the next day over 50 people arrived for the service. Waterbury agreed to hold services for the upstart group every two weeks.

Church records show that several weeks later, "13 men friendly to the Episcopal Church" sent a petition to the Bishop of Illinois, telling him they were associating themselves under the name of "The Church of the Redeemer, Elgin, Ill."

On Jan. 17, 1858, church records show the congregation was officially organized, with Waterbury as the rector, the priest who heads an Episcopal church.

The fledgling congregation had several priests in the years ahead, all of whom served very short tenures. The absence of men in the Civil War saw the congregation of some 25 to 50 members attended to by a priest from Dundee. Services were held in an Elgin Masonic hall, where the altar had to be moved each week.

And what is one of the greatest desires of any new congregation?

Why, a building, of course. That wish was given a financial boost when Elgin resident Henry Lee Borden, son of wealthy dairy magnate Gail Borden, donated a lot worth $300 that was situated on the same corner as the present church building. Curiously, though Borden's wife was an Episcopalian, he was of a different denomination.

Ground was broken for the congregation's new building in 1880, and two years later, the $5,000 structure was dedicated. An altar -- still in use today -- was added during these early years.

The new church home allowed the congregation to flourish, according to parish records. It was also a time that the congregation abolished its pew rental system, a practice viewed as a deterrent to new members.

By the early 1900s, Redeemer membership topped 200 people. Two "Mission Sunday Schools" were organized by the congregation: one on St. Charles Street, another on nearby Division Street. Under progressive leadership, members also eliminated the church debt and established an "organ club" that paid for the addition of a $2,400 pipe organ to the sanctuary.

Then, the unthinkable occurred. Early on a Sunday morning in October 1916, the church suffered disastrous fire. The setback was particularly disappointing to the congregation, which had just completed a renovation project.

In a scene reminiscent of a Hollywood movie, the faithful congregation made pledges to rebuild the structure with the fire still smoldering in the background. To assist the displaced membership, all Elgin Protestant churches offered the temporary use of their building -- an invitation they accepted from Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, two blocks to the east.

In the years ahead the resilient congregation suffered through a tornado, the Depression, and in 1934, yet another fire.

Each time, the congregation raised funds to supplement what insurance didn't cover. During the second fire, services were moved to Wait-Ross-Allanson funeral home, on the opposite corner from the church.

The 1950s were a time of unparalleled growth for the church. It was an effort led by the Rev. George Shiffmayer, a community icon who became the church's rector. During his 22 years in the job -- the longest of any rector -- an old parish hall on the west side of the building was demolished to make way for a new office and classroom building. Additional building and renovating continued into the early 1990s.

In more recent times, Redeemer has become a dual-language congregation, with services in English and Spanish.

While some congregations have left the downtown area, Redeemer has chosen to remain, continuing its long involvement in the city Soup Kitchen and other ministries to assist less-fortunate individuals.

The church will kick off its sesquicentennial year with a special service at 3 p.m. today, notes Richard Brasure, of the 150th anniversary committee. The Bible from the church's first rector will be used, and the worship will include liturgy from a service 150 years ago. As the celebration year progresses, additional changes will be made, and the worship services will become more and more like the present-day ones.

For its 150th year, it the church plans to offer seasonal note cards and calendars. There will also be a chili cook-off and game night, as well as a church picnic. The year of celebration will wrap up with a special worship planned for December 2008.

If you go

What: Kickoff service for the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer's 150th-year celebration

Where: At the church, 40 Center St., Elgin

When: 3 p.m. Sunday

Info: Visit www.redeemerelgin.org or call (847) 742-2428.