WEST CHICAGO – Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church will mark its 40th anniversary in West Chicago with a special service Nov. 24.
The service will take place at 10 a.m. at the church, located at 1800 Joliet St.
Hope Lutheran Church’s first service took place Oct. 14, 1973, at Indian Knoll Elementary School in West Chicago. Only 11 people attended that service, but the congregation has since grown to include 136 members.
In December 1975, the church purchased its current location at Joliet Street and Neltnor Boulevard. The parsonage was built in 1978 and a chapel was purchased the same year and moved to the church property.
A new church with a chapel, fellowship hall, kitchen, office and bathrooms was dedicated Feb. 9, 1986, and a 4,000-square foot educational wing, with classrooms, bathrooms, offices and a kitchen, was added in 2001.
Throughout the years, Hope Lutheran Church supported a preschool and vacation bible school and hosted various events and programs, including a fishing derby, divorce care, blood drives, flu shot clinics, easter egg hunts, Bible studies, Sunday school, Sunday Bible class, a women’s group and boy and girl Pioneers.
Hope Lutheran Church is a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. In 40 years, five pastors have served the congregation.
Pastor David Rutschow from Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church in Downers Grove will serve as the guest preacher at the anniversary service. Former church members Sharon Mazurek and Melody Brigowatz will serve as guest organist and choir director, respectively.
The service will be followed by a dinner.
For more information, contact Pastor Alan Gumm at 630-293-0756.