Office (815)
633-8075A History of Grace 1923 - 1953
Rev. Paul
Randolph 1924 - 1927
Rev. Rupert Hull
1928 - 1930
Rev. Ralph
Peterson 1930 - 1934
Rev. Louis
Danner 1934 - 1939
Rev. Oliver
Nelson 1939 - 1943
Rev. William
Chell 1943 - 1953
The
Loves Park area was growing. In 1917 the Union Church of all
denominations had been built on the comer of North Second and Lawn
Drive. Prior to that, Rockford congregations would come up the river
in boats and hold mass baptisms on the huge sand bar at the end of
the island in the Rock River. Axel Fredricksen felt there was a need
for a Lutheran Church in the Loves Park area.
Mr. Fredricksen contacted Dr. Peter Peterson, President of the
Illinois Conference of the Augustana Synod, who had two Rockford
pastors: Rev. Carl Solomonson of Zion Lutheran Church and Dr. LA.
Benander of Salem Lutheran Church, look over the area to see if the
idea seemed feasible. Many of those contacted felt that they would
be interested in forming a new church of an English Lutheran
persuasion.
The Executive Board of the Illinois Conference contacted Paul
Randolph, a theological student, to become a home missionary in this
field. He was later ordained in 1925. He accepted and began
canvassing area houses on January 23, 1924. On January 27, 1924
twelve children and twenty adults attended a regular service and
Sunday School in the Loves Park Grade
School building. By April 16 Dr. Peterson called for an
organizational meeting which was attended by thirty-five persons,
even though a storm raged outdoors. During this meeting, Mr. B.
Hanford, his son, Everett, and Mae Johnson received the rite of Holy
Baptism. Twenty-three people became members of the new church and
elected as Deacons: A.J. Steinke, A.W. Geskey, and A.W. Fredricksen.
Trustees elected were: B.A. Hanford, Emil Bjorklund, and Fritz
Carlson. Paul Randolph acted as secretary and also subscription
chairman to attempt to raise funds to purchase property for a new
church. A resolution passed to request admission into the Illinois
Conference.
During the next organizational meeting, twenty-four additional
members were added and Dr. J.A. Benander was appointed Vice Pastor.
It also was decided to purchase two and one half acres of land
between River Lane and Grand Avenue, one block west of North Second
Street for a cost of $4200. $550 was received in pledges at that
meeting by the apportionment method, by dividing the property into
feet and accepting pledges to pay $25 per foot.
Rockford Architects, Peterson and Johnson, submitted building plans
that were accepted. The building was constructed and a cornerstone
laid on August 3, 1924. Dedication services for the new church were
held on Christmas Day, 1924. Under the able leadership of Emil
Bjorklund, a member of the congregation, the building program
progressed with several Rockford businessmen giving liberally
towards the church, Total construction costs were $18,575.68, with a
total of about $9500 in indebtedness carried on notes and accounts.
The charter membership list was closed as of January 1, 1925 as had
been decided at one of the first meetings. Rev. Paul Randolph
preached his first sermon on June 28, 1925 as the first ordained
pastor of Grace. He proceeded to organize the fledgling church and
continued to call upon people in the community for support. The
initial enthusiasm of the young church lessened and he continually
pleaded with the congregation for more faithfulness, unity of
spirit, and love, so that God's Kingdom could grew in this area.
On March 6, 1926 the new brick elementary school was first occupied and became known as Loves Park Elementary School.
In December of 1927 Pastor Randolph resigned to accept a call to
Long Beach, California. His farewell Sunday was January 9,1928.
In
1928
the communicant membership was at 158. A call was issued to
Rev. Robert Hull of White Plains, N.Y. He arrived June 1, 1928 to
become Grace's pastor. He was housed in an apartment above Doc
Shannon's Drug Store at River Lane and North Second Street.
A new parsonage was purchased on River Lane at a cost of $6500.
The mortgage on the property during the critical depression which
followed, became excessive and the congregation was forced to give
up the dwelling. A two manual reed organ was installed in the church
and a church lot was sold for $600. The Home Mission Board of the
Conference paid $1200 annually to help carry on the church's work.
The congregation now numbered 120 communicant members with 50 to 60
persons attending morning services.
Pastor Hull resigned May 14, 1930 to accept a call to Andover,
Illinois. The next pastor, Rev. Ralph A. Peterson of Kearney,
Nebraska, began in October of 1930. He had been ordained in 1925 and
had been a practicing attorney before entering seminary.
Pastor
Peterson wrote, "I was there during the depression years. I saw much
sorrow. People lost their homes, work was scarce. They were
exceedingly lean years, and people were depressed. Despite these
hardships, the members clung to the church which never failed them."
Attendance increased during this period and more interest was shown
in Bible study. From 1924 to 1931, there had been a loss of 75
communicant members and 59 children. "It is regrettable to notice
such losses along the way, but we rejoice that many have been
faithful", he noted.
Pastor
Peterson ended his service to the congregation August 31, 1934 to go
to St. Paul, Minnesota. Rev. Louis F. Danner became the next pastor
in early October 1934. His ordination had been in Chicago on June
18, 1933. His period marked financial reverses. but debts were still
burdensome. In spite of this, the church carried on.
The interior of the church was decorated for the first time by
donated labor from the members. Candelabra and other appointments
were added as well as a new heating system being installed. "The
Grace Lutheran Messenger" began publication while Rev. Peterson was
pastor. Membership increased.
In
early 1939 Pastor Danner left to answer a call to St. Joseph,
Michigan. A student, Harold E. Peterson, served Grace until the
arrival of Rev. Oliver A. Nelson. He came to Grace on August 1, 1939
shortly after his ordination.
During Pastor Nelson's ministry a
colonial style parsonage was erected on the church grounds due to
the endeavors of the pastor and many faithful members who donated
much of the work during 1939‑1940. Funds for the project were
secured by a loan, so that the church's indebtedness now totaled
$7500. The home mission aid was lowered from $1000 per year to $740
in 1941.
November 29. 1942 brought the resignation of Pastor Nelson who had accepted a call in Mt. Vernon, Washington. Several students served the congregation until a new pastor was found. The church carried on and its ministries continued with Sunday School, Ladies Aid (now WELCA), Lutheran Brotherhood, Kindergarten, Luther League, and many associate organizations of these groups. Many of the members helped establish and maintain Camp Augustana at Lake Geneva.
A
call was issued to Rev. William T. Chell of Concord, Nebraska on
July 29, 1943. He arrived at Grace December 1, 1943. He had been
ordained on a hot. blistery day, June 20, 1937 in Omaha, Nebraska.
Under his guidance at Grace, attendance at church services grew,
many new members joined, contributions increased, and the church's
indebtedness of $7000 was cleared. Grace was now off mission support
and, for the first time since its inception, the church was free of
all debts.
In 1944 Grace Lutheran Kindergarten was organized through the
foresight of Mrs. Chell (the Pastor's wife) and Gladys Anderson, who
became its director. 1945 brought many changes to the country,
including members of Grace. Tupperware was the new rage, "Coke"
became a new popular trademark, and ballpoint pens were a great
commercial success.
By 1946 Grace's congregation became debt free and on a
self-sustaining basis. Improvements were then added to the church. A
basement was added under the building, the church interior was
carpeted, an opening in the altar rail was made, and altar and
pulpit paraments were added. An electric organ was purchased at a
cost of $2200. Mr. and Mrs. Sandell gave a large contribution
towards the organ and Mr. and Mrs. H.P. Branning donated generously
toward a new kitchen gas stove.
It was the year of the 25th anniversary of Grace Lutheran Church. A
booklet was printed depicting the history of the church. Church
records show that during the first 25 years, Grace had 566 baptisms,
283 confirmations, 88 marriages, and 97 funerals.
