Redeemer Lutheran Church

Infobox church
color = ADD8E6
name = Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church


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denomination = Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
founded_date =
founder =
architect = Hotchkiss & Edgar
style = Baroque
constructed_date = October 1929–May 1930
dedicated_date = May 18 1930
seniorpastor = Rev. Robert Fitzpatrick
address = 345 S. Kenilworth Ave. Elmhurst, Illinois 60126
country = USA
phone = [phone]
website = http://www.redeemerlcms.corg

Redeemer Lutheran Church is a congregation of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, located in Elmhurst, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago. Founded in 1928, there are currently 495 baptized members of this church. This church has the most unique art for a Missouri Synod Lutheran Church in the Chicago metropolitan area.Fact|date=June 2008 This consists of wood carvings on the entrance doors to the church. As well as a large stained glass display in the sanctuary, and large wall hanging sculpture.

History

New Church Organized in Town

Gathered at Hawthorne School Thursday, April 19, 1928 a small group of enthusiastic Lutherans laid the groundwork for an English language congregation in the south section of Elmhurst. Initial worship had been held Easter Sunday, April 8, in the auditorium of the school with 22 people from Immanuel Church, Elmhurst and Trinity Church, Villa Park, in attendance.
Organizational guidance was provided by the Rev. H. H. Hartmann, field missionary of the Northern Illinois District of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States(a.k.a. Missouri Synod). On May 25 a preliminary organization was approved and officers elected by the 40 people who formed the group’s nucleus.
At this meeting the fledgling congregation chose to join the Synod through its English Mission District, and at the recommendation of the women of the group chose “Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church” as the congregation’s name. The rolls were kept open for chartering members and finalized with 109 people.
On-going assistance in the organizing process was provided by the Rev. H. Prange of Trinity Church, Oak Park. Visiting pastors to lead worship are being arranged by the Rev. G. Schuessler, president of the English District.

Redeemer Calls First Pastor

Redeemer Lutheran Church’s Divine Call for its first Pastor was accepted by the Rev. Worth Setzer of Hickory, NC. Pastor Setzer was installed on October 7, 1928. The new pastor was a 1923 graduate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis MO. His undergraduate work was done at Concordia College, Conover NC and Lenoir Rhyne College, Hickory NC. The Rev. Setzer’s first Call following his seminary studies was to St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Hickory.
Later in October, 1928 the new church their Constitution and By-laws were approved by the English District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, thus chartering them as a Congregation. On October 29 with a permanent organizational structure in place, the group elected their first group of officers and committees to be headed by Chairman Herbert Golz. Dr. Edward Marquardt was chosen to chair a building committee, tasked with planning for the congregation’s first facility.

Redeemer Church Builds

Ground was broken Sunday, October 20, 1929 for Redeemer Lutheran Church’s first worship facility. Property at the northwest corner of Kenilworth Avenue and St. Charles Road was selected as the most suitable site for the growing congregation and purchased in January.Last April the Congregation engaged the same architectural firm, Hotchkiss & Edgar, that designed Immanuel Lutheran Church in Elmhurst. Redeemer’s building design was considered somewhat larger than present circumstances require; however, the locationselected together with the zeal for outreach.
The building stands in the heart of a residential section of Elmhurst. Shaded by beautiful old elms, the church will provides a spiritual anchor in the midst of the community. When completed, the new worship sanctuary enables the worshipers to move from Hawthorne School’s auditorium into space dedicated for sacred purposes.

Redeemer Lutheran Church dedicated Worship Facility

On May 18th 1930, the people of Redeemer Lutheran Church celebrated the completion of their new church. On a site purchased January 1929, ground was broken October 20, 1928 for the construction. The completed edifice is one of the most attractive and imposing houses of worship in Elmhurst. A restrained modern Gothic style building will welcome worshipers in the days and years head.Three worship services were planned for the dedication activities. At 10:45 AM the Rev. W. F. Wilk of St. Louis MO preached and special music was be provided by Redeemer’s own Choir under the direction of Mr Erwin Miller.
At 3:00 PM the Rev. G. Schuessler, President, English District, Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, preached and the Choir of St. John Lutheran Church, LaGrange IL will sing. The Rev. Dr. William Dallmann, LCMS Vice-President, preached at the 8:00 service with the West Suburban Male Quartet featured. Monday’s 8:00 PM worship was dedicated to the ladies of the congregation with the Rev. E. F. Haertel, English District Vice-President preaching. Tuesday evening’s worship was dedicated to the young people of the congregation with the Rev. O. E. Geiseman of Oak Park IL preaching, and finally Wednesday’s service, dedicated to the men of the congregation, heard from the pulpit the Rev. W. H. Prange of Oak Park with the Male Chorus of St. John Lutheran church, Forest Park IL providing special music.

Redeemer Expands Facilities for Education Needs

“Growing pains” brought about the first major change in Redeemer Lutheran Church’s beautiful building on Kenilworth and St. Charles. An annex added to the north side of the 25 year-old structure will provide classroom space for Christian education activities for the entire congregation. Ground was broken ceremonially by the Rev. Worth Setzer on September 26 of last year. The Church’s Pastor used the same shovel he used in 1929 to break ground for the current church building.
This expansion is another evidence of the congregation’s outreach growth. Previous celebrations saw the dedication of the stained and leaded glass window above the chancel, given by Dr. And Mrs. Edward Marquardt, and the installation of the new Reuter pipe organ. Both the window and the organ greatly enhance the beauty of the congregation’s worship.
The Rev. Dr. A. R. Kretzmann of St. Luke Lutheran Church, Chicago, will be the guest preacher at this Sunday’s dedication of the new annex. Following the worship there will be an open house to familiarize members with the new facility.

The Rev. George Bornemann Welcomed by Redeemer

Redeemer Lutheran Church August 23, 1959 welcomed the Rev. George Bornemann as the second resident pastor in its 30 year history in Elmhurst. The new clergyman previously served St. John Lutheran Church, Toronto, Ontario. While serving there Pr. Bornemann gave leadership at St. John in helping to found St. Matthew congregation in Scarborough to the east, St. Mark congregation in Port Credit/Mississauga to the west, and St. Luke congregation in North York, surrounding the Toronto.
Pr. Bornemann, a native of Pittsburgh PA, succeeded the Rev. Worth Setzer, founding pastor of the congregation, who left Redeemer February, 1958 after 31 years of service, to assume the call at First Lutheran Church, Cleveland, Tennessee.

Redeemer Begins New Year Dedicating Parish Center

Dedication is set for Sunday January 2nd, 1972 as Redeemer Lutheran Church celebrated the opening of “Titus Place,” the nickname given the Redeemer Center across South Kenilworth from the Church. Ground was broken January 1971 on property purchased from Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic parish. A commons area provides space for larger gatherings and receptions and is serviced by a kitchen with furnishings and equipment. Two classroom areas can be used for meetings or Bible studies.
The church’s main office was now be housed in the Center. The Rev. George Bornemann, pastor of Redeemer, had his study there. A board room holds meetings of the church’s officers. A gymnasium makes possible athletic competition, fellowship activities, and other gatherings, and may be rented to community groups as well.

Redeemer Church Welcomes New Pastor

For only the third time in its nearly 50 year history Redeemer Lutheran Church will installed a new pastor. The Rev. Richard Drews Sunday May 15, 1977 will succeed the Rev. George Bornemann who left Redeemer in the middle of 1976 after being elected President of the English District of the Lutheran Church– Missouri Synod.
Redeemer was known for the long tenure of its pastors, the Rev. Worth Setzer serving from its founding in 1928 until 1959, nearly 31 years and President Bornemann for 17 years. Redeemer’s facility was further enhanced later in 1977 when the installation of its stained-glass windows is completed. The project actually began in 1952 with the gift of the window above the worship chancel given by Dr. & Mrs. Edward Marquardt, charter members of the congregation.

Redeemer Lutheran Calls its Fourth Pastor

Redeemer Lutheran Church reached out to their own English District Office for its newest pastor. The Rev. Robert Fitzpatrick had been serving this non-geographic district as the president’s executive assistant for missions. The new pastor, to be installed Sunday March 30th, 2003, was only the fourth pastor in 75 years to serve this congregation. Previously he had spent 18 years at a congregation in the suburbs of Cleveland and 10 years in a small town in the middle of Nebraska.

Redeemer Lutheran Pipe Organ Re-Dedicated

“Alleluia! Let praises ring,” goes the hymn, and ring they will once again Sunday, May 23, 2004 as Redeemer Lutheran Church re-dedicated their pipe organ after a 6-month renovation. Under the leadership of the congregation’s cantor and organist, Ann Burns, supported by a committee made up of congregational leaders, the project began with interviews of local companies. Berghaus Organ Co. of Bellwood was engaged for the work of reconditioning and enhancing the original Reuter organ. Funding for the work was raised by “selling” the pipes from the new ranks. Purchase of a pipe entitled people to take home one of the old pipes removed in the renovation. The re-dedication was a festival of hymns based on the Nicene Creed, one of the historic confessions of the Christian faith, and highlighting the seasons of the Church Year. Redeemer’s Chorale, the Joyful Sound Ensemble, Gospel Lights and Angel Choir will all sing, and the organ will be backed by instrumentalists from the congregation. Redeemer’s original Moeller organ, installed at the church’s construction, was repossessed during the Great Depression. The Reuter instrument was installed in 1953.

Previous ministers

Former senior ministers of Redeemer Lutheran Church, with their years of appointment, are:

Rev. Worth A. Setzer (1928-1959)
Rev. Geroge W. Bornemann (1959-1976)
Richard D. Drews (1977-2002)
Robert Fitzpatick (2003- Present)

External links

* [http://www.redeemerlcms.com/ Official site]
* [http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/locators/nchurches/c_detail.asp?C287645 LCMS congregation profile]