Our Saviour’s
50th Anniversary
Banquet
Saturday, February 5, 2005
at Concorde Banquets
20922 N. Rand Road in Kildeer, IL
Cost: $50.00 per
person
6:00 pm Light hors d'oeuvres and cash bar
7:00 pm Dinner of Mixed Grill
8:30 pm We welcome
our dinner speaker: Martin E. Marty,
one of the most respected and distinguished church scholars in the
country. A University of Chicago
professor emeritus, Lutheran minister, and senior editor of The Christian Century, Marty is the
author of over 50 books. Dr. Marty’s
topic is:
Music and Dancing
will follow Dr. Marty’s remarks until 11:00 p.m.
Responses
are requested by December 12, 2004.
After
December 12, the ticket price will be $60 per person. No tickets will be sold after January 5, 2005. Please reserve your seat early.
For more information on the Banquet, contact: Linda Falotico
The First 50 Years
A Brief
History of Our Saviour’s
by
R.E. COOK
Contents:
¨ Letter of Introduction,
Pastor Russ Sorensen
¨ A Brief History of Our Saviour's
¨ Our Saviour’s Charter Members
¨ Events of the 50th Anniversary Celebration
¨ Banquet Announcement
This publication was made possible by a gift from Chuck and
Norma Doering and matching funds from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church
1234
N. Arlington Heights Road
Arlington
Heights, IL
September, 2004
Dear Members and Friends,
It is with joy and a humble sense of thanksgiving for the
many blessings God has given us that we present to you this publication as part
of our 50th Anniversary Celebration!
The enclosed history of our church was written by Dick Cook,
an OSLC member since 1956 and a member of our staff (as Business Administrator
1981-2002 and Facilities Manager 2002-2004) since 1981. Dick has also acted as our historian and
archivist over the years and is well suited to write a history of our
congregation.
After 23 years of service, Dick retired on September 30 to
spend more time painting, walking, and volunteering. On behalf of a grateful congregation, Thank You, Dick, for your years of service and for this fine
history, too!
I hope you will take time to read this history during the
next few months of celebration and participate in as many of the anniversary
events as you can.
Our Saviour’s has come this far by God’s love and
grace. Relying on God’s grace we will
continue to grow in faith to be active in love for 50 years and more to come!
Russ Sorensen,
Senior Pastor
OUR SAVIOUR’S LUTHERAN CHURCH
The First 50 Years
R. E. Cook
Our Saviour’s
Lutheran Church had its beginnings back in 1954 when the Illinois Synod of the
United Lutheran Church in America sent a mission developer, Pastor George Hoog,
into the Arlington Heights area to start work on a new congregation. Many Lutheran families moving into the area
found the closest churches available to them were Trinity in Des Plaines and
Holy Trinity out in Elgin.
Pastor
Hoog started work in the area on October 27, 1954, in preparation for the first
service, which was held in the multi-purpose room at Dryden Elementary School
on the south side of Arlington Heights on November 21, 1954. Over 70 worshippers participated in the
service and heard “greetings” from Rev. Donald Hauser of the Board of American
Missions. At a congregational meeting
on February 19th, the name “Our Saviour’s” was chosen by a vote of
the Charter Members. A group of nine
men were elected to serve as the church council and Pastor Hoog was designated
as President.
From
this beginning and many more calls by Pastor Hoog, the congregation grew
rapidly, and on February 20, 1955, was organized and constituted a “church of
Christ” by the Rev. Dr. Harmon J. McGuire, President of the Illinois
Synod. There were 91 adults and 54
children in attendance. A
congregational Fellowship dinner to celebrate the forming of the “new” church
was held in the dining room of South Junior High School.
The
first Communion service was celebrated by 80 people the following Wednesday,
which was most appropriate as that was the beginning of Lent and the journey of
Our Saviour’s Church. The congregation
continued to grow and with that a call was extended to Rev. John P. Petersen
who was at that time the Pastor of Ascension Church in Chicago.
Pastor
Hoog relinquished his duties on October 23, 1955, and Rev. Dr. Harmon J.
McGuire installed Pastor Petersen as our first called Pastor the same day.
As
the congregation continued to grow, it was not long before the decision was
made to purchase land on the north side for a new sanctuary. The first operating budget for 1955 was
$3,725. The Board of American Missions
paid $3000 for the Pastor’s salary and any amount above that was the
congregations responsibility, which was $1,000.
The
proposed budget recommended for the future included: $16,000 for land and
$21,000 for a parsonage. Various loan
sources were available to acquire these funds.
A further recommendation was made to start a building fund with a goal
of $5,000 for the first year and that challenge was met. The calling of the pastor required the
purchase of a parsonage and that challenge was accomplished.
In
June 1957, Robert Wolff, a music faculty member at Arlington High School,
became our first organist and choir director.
He served in that capacity for approximately six years when he resigned
to accept a faculty position at Marshall University in Huntington, WV.
The
congregation Building Committee hired the architectural firm of Charles E.
Stade and Associates in 1957 to design a new sanctuary for the land purchased
at 1234 North State Road. Ground
breaking occurred on February 23, 1958 and the corner stone was laid in place
on May 18, 1958. The first of many
building additions was dedicated on Nov. 9, 1958.
The
congregation continued to prosper and by 1962 the membership had grown to
1,062. It became obvious we were
outgrowing our facilities, thus the first addition, the south educational wing
was begun in 1962 and completed in May, 1963.
On
May 24, 1964 Pastor Petersen resigned to take a position with Lutheran Social
Service of Illinois to develop a ministry for juvenile and adult law offenders.
Pastor
Donald D. Pritz was called from Faith Church, St. Louis, MO, and was installed
on August 1, 1964 by the Rev. Dr. Robert Marshall, President of the Illinois
Synod of the L.C.A. On the same day
Paul Hanson, who had been on the music staff at United Lutheran Church in Oak
Park, joined our staff as organist and choirmaster.
With
steady increases in membership (1,292 by 1971), it became evident that larger
facilities would be needed. By 1972,
this growth necessitated the enlarging of the sanctuary, the adding of a large
meeting room, and new church offices.
This project was completed and dedicated on January 21, 1973. Because of this growth our first Assistant
Pastor, Wilford P. Hendrix, from Southern Seminary, was called. Due to health problems he resigned after a
short term in office. Approximately one
year later a call was extended to Pastor Gerald L. Meyers, from Gettysburg
Seminary, who served for 2-1/2 years and then resigned to go back to graduate
school. Carla Haubrick was called to
direct our education and youth programs and served in that position for
approximately two years.
In
May of 1974, Pastor Pritz resigned to accept a call to St. John’s Parish in
Sterling, Illinois. During the selection process for a new pastor, a parish
member, Dr. G. Everett Arden, served as our interim pastor until a new pastor
had been selected.
On
February 23, 1975, the 20th anniversary of the congregation was
celebrated with special services and a membership dinner. At this point in time our membership had
risen to 1,302 parishioners. On the
same date, Pastor Richard N. Jessen was called to be our third senior pastor
and was installed on April 6, 1975.
Pastor Jessen had served as a Staff Assistant to the Bishop of the
Illinois Synod of the L.C.A.
The
congregation continued to grow and on February 24, 1980, our 25th
anniversary was celebrated with the Rev. Dr. Robert Marshall preaching at all
services. An anniversary dinner was
held at St. Peter’s Lutheran School with the Rev. Dr. Paul Erickson, President
of the Illinois Synod, as the guest speaker.
Former pastors were guest speakers during the celebration month.
The
increased youth activities and workload necessitated the need for added
pastoral staff, which resulted in the calling of Pastor William W. Zieche,
Hamma School of Theology, who took office on July 1, 1976. He served as pastor to our youth for
approximately 4 years and resigned in May 1980 to accept the challenge of a
mission church in Wisconsin. Pastor
Christine Anderson Stiger of L.S.T.C. accepted a call in July 1980, to become
Associate Pastor of our church. Pastor
Stiger was the first of five fine women pastors called to Our Saviour’s.
The
next month, Mr. James Valentine, a rostered Associate in Ministry, accepted our
call to be the parish Youth Director.
With Jim’s arrival the elements were in place for a strong effective
staff.
It
was during the following period of time that many activities were started and
expanded. These included the “Word and
Witness” program that prepared us to live the Christian life and witness the
same to others.
In
January, 1988, under the direction of Pastor Stiger, the “Stephen Ministry”
program was started. It continues to
this day and has been one of the most important outreach endeavors. Since its inception, 17 leaders have been trained,
128 ministers have completed over 50 hours of training, and well over 6,000
hours have been spent nurturing over 300 care receivers.
The
“Friendship Callers” group was started to assist the Pastoral staff with home
visits to members of the congregation.
As the congregation grew it became more difficult to make all the
required visits. The Mutual Ministry
and the Kings Kids programs were also started to meet further congregational
needs.
In
March 1983 Pastor Jessen resigned to accept a call as the Senior Pastor of
First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Pastor G. Frederick Aigner was called from Christ the King Church in
Florissant, MO and was installed on November 27, 1983 as our fourth senior
pastor.
Growth
in attendance at worship services and other activities necessitated the calling
of another assistant pastor. Pastor
Jeffrey R. Fricke of L.S.T.C. was extended a call and was installed August 25,
1985. He served until February 1987,
when he resigned to accept a call to St. John’s Church in Columbus, NE.
In
order to maintain the continuity and effectiveness of the Pastoral Staff, a
call was extended to Pastor Michael A. Ostrom of L.S.T.C., who accepted and was
installed on June 28, 1987. He served
approximately 3-1/2 years when he resigned to go on "leave from call”
status to pursue graduate study.
Pastor
Lois Ann Pallmeyer of L.S.T.C. was extended a call to fill the vacancy left
upon Pastor Stiger’s resignation to go “on leave from call” status. Pastor Pallmeyer accepted our call and was
installed September 17, 1989. She
served approximately 8 years when she resigned to accept a call to Easter
Lutheran Church in Eagan, MN.
During
the period of the 1980’s growth in membership and attendance even with multiple
services, made it obvious that the sanctuary (now our Fellowship Hall), was not
large enough. At the end of 1985 the
church membership had reached 1,724.
In
1985 two parcels of land contiguous to our property were purchased to provide
future parking for approximately 178 cars. Additionally a long-term agreement was reached with Ameritech
(SBC) to use their parking facilities for any overflow parking.
In
1988 construction was begun on a new sanctuary, a south narthex and north wing
classrooms to replace the old Fellowship Hall.
The project was completed and dedicated on June 3, 1990. The old sanctuary under crowded conditions
seated 275 people – the new sanctuary seats 550 people comfortably. Many were skeptical we could not fill the
new sanctuary at any service. It was
filled to capacity several times that first Sunday and numerous times since.
Also
in 1990 our outreach program was further expanded to include a Public Action to
Deliver Shelter, P.A.D.S., site for the homeless. The program continues to this day to provide a warm place to
sleep and hot meals for those cold winter nights. There are approximately (400) volunteers on the roster and on
each weekend from October through April, over 40 volunteers will work the 4
shifts to feed and care for the residents.
With
the departure of Pastor Ostrom, the need for a replacement became evident and a
call was extended to Pastor Donald L. Wink of L.S.T.C. He accepted our call and was installed on
August 25, 1991 – he served the Parish for 7-1/2 years and resigned January 24,
1999 to accept a call to Lutheran Church of the Atonement, Barrington,
Illinois.
Further
growth in membership and activities made it more than obvious that a fourth
pastor was needed. Pastor Janice L.
Wiersma-Halverson, Luther N.W. Seminary was extended a call and was installed
September 19, 1993. She served the
Parish for seven years and resigned September 13, 2000 to go “on leave from
call” status to pursue a graduate degree program.
Increased
membership and attendance in Sunday school (halls were used for classes) and
the lack of meaningful storage space, the fellowship hall was renovated to
provide additional space. The project
started in 1992 and completed in 1993 provided a second floor room (#24) and
two classrooms underneath.
Under
the direction of our Organist and Choirmaster, Paul Hanson, music in various
forms has become very important in our worship. In 1996 our original electronic organ was replaced by a Tracker
Pipe Organ designed and built by Gabriel Kney and Company. This fine instrument further augmented an
already excellent program of choral, instrumental, and organ music. Many additional concerts have been presented
by a variety of college and university choirs.
In
order to meet the expanding administrative needs of the church, more office
space would be required. Desks were
shared and office equipment was located down the hall. To meet these urgent needs, the north
courtyard was enclosed in early 1997. The new facility provided for an expanded
general office, an atrium area, offices for our associate Pastors, and an
equipment room with much needed paper and stationary storage space.
To
augment the pastoral staff, Pastor David J. Irgens was called from Trinity
Lutheran Church, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and was installed in August
1996. He brought with him much
knowledge of the construction field, which was a big asset to the Property
Committee. He resigned in December
2002, to accept a call to Grace Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
After
presiding over 14 years of much growth and the building of a new sanctuary,
Pastor G. Frederick Aigner resigned in August, 1997, to accept a call to be the
President of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois.
In
the same month, a call was extended to Pastor Naomi M. Hawkins of L.S.T.C., who
accepted and served until August 1999, when she resigned to accept a position
with the E.L.C.A. Foundation.
During
the selection process for a new senior pastor, retired Bishop Pastor Gerhard
Knutson served as our interim pastor for the better part of the year 1998.
Late
in 1998 a call was extended to Pastor Russell Sorensen to be our fifth senior
pastor. He came to us from Faith
Lutheran Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico and was installed January 25, 1999.
After
many years of use, the church kitchen began to show much wear and tear on the
equipment. In 1999, a complete
renovation was completed with a new stove, a large commercial refrigerator,
modern cabinets and countertops, and two smaller freezers.
In
1999 a very important congregational need was met when a Parish Nurse program
was started. As the congregation has
aged, many parishioners have encountered a variety of health problems. Betty Hanson served for one year as our first
Parish Nurse. Our current Parish Nurse,
Jill Milner of Alexian Brothers Health System, has worked many hours to meet
the needs and concerns of members for the past four years.
Pastor
Todd A. Eckblad was called from Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity, Matteson,
Illinois, to serve as our first Youth & Family Pastor. He took office on January 18, 2000 and
served for 2-1/2 years, when he resigned to accept a call to Shepherd of the
Valley Church, Merced, California.
In
order to keep our pastoral staff at full strength; a call was extended to
Pastor Gail L. Heidtke of Grace Lutheran Church, Monroe, Wisconsin. She accepted and was installed as an
associate pastor on August 25, 2001.
With
the departure of Pastor Eckblad, and the increased pastoral needs, calls were
extended to Pastor Seth Moland-Kovash of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Downers
Grove, Illinois and Pastor Larry Morkert, E.L.C.A. Chaplaincy Program. With their taking office on June 16, 2003,
we had in place a strong pastoral team to lead us into the next 50 years of
service to God and the community.
In
2000, a Contemporary Worship was started with one weekly service in the
renovated Fellowship Hall. By the
summer of 2004 attendance had increased to the point where a second service was
required and added to the Sunday morning schedule.
By
the year 2002, the increase in members and the complexity of the administrative
functions of the Parish required a change in direction. In order to lessen the administrative load
on the senior pastor, James Valentine, was appointed as our Congregational
Operations Officer, reporting directly to the senior pastor. This office is now responsible for
coordinating all administrative functions.
In
2003, the Pastoral Caring Ministry was started to nurture and care for the
older adults in the congregation by forming support groups to assist members in
time of crisis and needs. The group
works with the Parish Nurse and Pastoral Staff in identifying those members in
need. This support ministry has trained
over 40 parishioners to be members of this team effort to strengthen faith
relationships.
In
our first 50 years we have grown from a mission with 91 members to a
congregation of approximately 2,700 parishioners, serving many areas and needs
of Christian service. At this time
there are committees and other organizations in place surveying needs and
planning for our Mission in Christ’s Kingdom.
These are exciting times to be a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran
Church.
MAY OUR GOD WATCH OVER US
AS WE GO FORTH!
Our
Saviour’s Lutheran Church
Charter
Members
Mr. & Mrs. William H. Anderson
William A. & Lily June Behlke
Louis G. & Barbara Behrle
Norman A. & Carlyle Blackwell
Richard & Dorothy Brettner
Rosemary Brice
Howard & Valarie Buchholz
Ben & Carole Carns
John E. & Joyce Czerney
Richard & Grace Ekstrand
Edward W. & Virginia Elste
Charles Elste
Bonnie Gerrard
John W. & Helen Hines
Robert J. & Donna Jo Hult
Leonard & Mary Jane Johnson
Edward A. & Myrtle Koester
Leonard & Mabel Keyes
Robert H. & Lorraine Lantz
Kenneth F. & Shirley Machacak
Judy Lee Meyer
Byrd T. & Jane Miller
Anna Mortensen
Arlene Mortensen
Edgar F. & Virginia Neas
Bruce A. & Helen Nelson
Donald R. & Carlee Petelle
Walter J. & Marie Petelle
John C. & Gertrude Pfingsten
John E. Pfingsten
George L. & Thelma Pfingsten
Keith & Adele Posselt
Donald D. & Ethel Quigley
Bonnie Quigley
William & Dolores Schaub
Mr. & Mrs. Conrad Seipp
Irvin M. & Lorraine Slepicka
Kenneth W. & Eugenia Stevens
Mr. & Mrs. George J. Swanson
Beverly Swanson
Robert G. Swanson
A. Phillip & Ethel Swanson
Robert W. & Janice Swanson
Woodrow J. & Iris Vogel
Sandra Vogel
Raymond B. & Esther Woodruff
Duane Yotti
Special Events Scheduled for 2004-2005
————————————————————————
Sunday, October 3
Introduction of commissioned 50th
Anniversary hymn for worship
Sunday, October 10
Paul Hanson’s 40th Anniversary
Recognition as Organist/Choirmaster at Our Saviour’s
Sunday,
October 17
Pastor John Petersen as guest preacher (Senior Pastor at Our Saviour’s - October,
1955 - May, 1964)
Sunday,
November 14
Pastor Dick Jessen as guest preacher (Senior Pastor at Our Saviour’s - March,
1975 - March, 1983)
Sunday,
November 21, 4:00 pm
Community Thanksgiving Service hosted by
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church
Sunday,
December 12
Pastor Fred Aigner as guest preacher (Senior Pastor at Our Saviour’s – November,
1983 - August, 1997)
Monday, December 13
Mount Prospect Community Band Concert:
7:30 pm
Sunday,
January 9
Combined Jazz worship services with Bishop
Paul Landahl guest preacher
Saturday,
February 5 - 50th
Anniversary weekend
50th Anniversary Banquet with
Dr. Martin Marty as the guest speaker
Sunday, February 6
Combined worship services with Presiding
Bishop Mark Hanson as guest preacher
Sunday, February 27
Augustana College Choir concert at 4:00 pm
Sunday,
March 13
Celebrating Our Future: Pastor Sorensen
preaching
Sunday,
March 20
Fauré Requiem performed by Our Saviour’s
Choir and Orchestra, 4:00 pm
Sunday, March 27
Easter Celebration
Traditional
worship – 7:30, 9:00 and 10:30 am
Contemporary
worship – 9:00 and 10:30 am
————————————————————————
In addition to these special events
there are “Jubilee Moments,” scheduled throughout the year during weekend
worship services, that will highlight aspects of Our Saviour’s past, present
and future ministries.
Come and join the celebration!