1953 to 1971

A History of Grace 1953 - 1971

Rev. Roland Johnson 1953 - 1970

Mr. Bill Hammerstrom 1959

Rev. William Harum 1968

The Rev. Chell and his family left Grace in 1953 to accept a call in Wisconsin Rapids. The Rev. Roland Johnson, who had been ordained on June 17, 1951, accepted a call to Grace in 1953, coming from Frewsburg, New York.

Church membership at Grace continued to grow and soon it was evident that it would be necessary to enlarge the facilities. Under the leadership of Pastor Roland Johnson an aggressive building program was begun. In June 1954 the congregation approved a building campaign to construct a new sanctuary and an education wing for $250,000. Construction began in November of that year. The old church building was incorporated into a new church of modem design.

1954 Drawing

On June 12, 1955 the original cornerstone from the first church building was laid in the new building by Pastor Johnson. In July 1955 the new building was completed and the official dedication was on September 9, 1955. The phrase, "Grace on the Go" indicated where the church was going ... Sunday School membership now exceeded 700 children, youth, and young adults,

In early 1956 the congregation appointed a building committee to formulate plans for a new youth center. Along with these plans came the realization that a person would be needed to direct and co‑ordinate musical organizations and co‑ordinate parish educational programs. Then in July 1956 the house and property west of the church was acquired and the house was then sold and moved.

1955 Construction

The approval for the erection of a parish center was granted by the congregation on December 8, 1958. A professional fund raiser (H.P. Demand Co.) was contracted to lead us in a stewardship drive to reduce indebtedness and allow the preparation for the new building. A call was extended to Robert Hammarstrom, who was Director of Parish Education and Youth Activities of First Lutheran Church in Rockford. His responsibilities would include coordinating parish education and youth activities and direct some of the musical youth organizations.

Robert Harnmarstrom accepted the position of Director of Youth/Christian Education and Coordinator for internal and external communications in June 1959. The church adopted the slogan "The Church with the Forward Look!" Both he and Pastor Johnson indicated it was their sincere hope and prayer that, "under God and through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit the parish educational/youth program will become one of the most unique in the nation and that in time, it will make a real spiritual difference in the lives of the 800 children, youth, and young adults and God willing, will make a difference in Heaven. To this end, they shall labor with the prayerful support of the congregation to develop the programs already under way. Thus, the dedication is for a program ‑ not a building. And the Parish Center to be dedicated shall be the HOME of the following activities:

"Youth Service Corps"
"Fellowship of Christian Athletes"
"Lutherettes" Girls Service Organization
Sunday School
Vacation Bible School
Daily Christian Kindergarten
Confirmation League Activities
Junior League Youth Activities
Hi‑League Youth Activities
"Lutheran Young Adult Seminar"
Lutheran Scouting
Parish Educational Workshops
Audiovisual Education
Intramural Athletic Program
All Youth Banquets
Mass Youth Rallies
Sunday School Pageants
Special Musical Youth Production
Dramatics for Youth and Adults
Athletic Tournaments –Basketball
Volleyball
Tennis ‑Physical Fitness for Youth
Outstanding Motion Pictures
Leadership Training Seminars
Recreation Nights for Youth and Adults
Lutheran Church Men
Lutheran Church Women
Merry Mates
Youth Bible Class
Activities in Youth Lounge
Family Nights
Audiovisual Seminars
Special Events, Banquets, etc.
Youth Chorus. Choirs

Any thanks would be in vain which did not give recognition to Almighty God for His inspiration, strength, and direction for our ability to complete this Parish Center of which we can be proud''

1959 was the yen that Julius Foss donated hand carve oaken plaques representing the twelve Apostles which still grace the sanctuary. (He had also made the frames for the stained glass windows in the sanctuary some years earlier.)

In 1961 the Parish Center was completed at a total cost of $189,022.65 (The newspaper reported a completion cost for the Parish Center of $240,000.) Also in 1961, the congregation voted to have one board comprised of eighteen persons, called the Church Council, rather than Trustees and Deacons.

Two hundred hymnals were purchased in 1962. This was also the year a pipe organ was located in Lake Villa, Illinois that could replace the existing electronic organ. For a trade of a $1000 electronic organ, Grace's music would sound better. The entire downstairs of the church was sealed and painted, the old parish house was removed, a huge dry well and fence were built, and parking bumpers were installed.

On February 3, 1963 the new Parish Educational ‑Youth Center was dedicated. Rev. Dr. Robert Marshall, president of the LCA's Illinois Synod conducted the service. The youth center was expected to serve 800‑1000 young people weekly. Bob Hammarstrom's four years at Grace really brought the youth of the congregation into the forefront as evidenced by the use of the new parish center. He had helped create the theme for Grace..."THE CHURCH WITH THE FORWARD LOOK". We really were! Mr. Hammarstrom resigned July 1, 1963 to accept a similar position in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

In 1963 Grace became part of the New Constitution of the Lutheran Church in America. Richard Sawatske became the new Youth Director that year.

A used organ was purchased in 1964 from Lake Villa, taken apart step-by-step, trucked to Grace. and reassembled in the choir loft. In May Larrie Sandin was ordained as a Lutheran Minister, the first Grace member in its forty year history to be so ordained.

On June 11, 1965 a special meeting was held to vote on the proposal for the purchase of a new parsonage move the old parsonage, and buy adjacent property to enlarge and then blacktop the puking lot.

Two lots and the Wallace property were purchased in 1966 and a new parsonage was built on Sycamore Lane. Communion at both services was begun and for the first time, three women were elected to the Church Council: Helen Johnson, Beverly Wick, and Evelyn Gustafson.

Grace was able to pay its Seminary Appeal of $25,000 on time in 1967. Air conditioners were installed in the kindergarten rooms, two truckloads of clothing were sent to Lutheran World Relief, new chairs were purchased for the choir loft, and the Sunday morning Coffee Hour was begun. The gym was in use five and one half days each week and a sum of $575,000 was spent on athletics.

The need for an assistant pastor was met in 1968 with the hiring of Rev. William Harum who had been ordained in 1958. A full time custodian was also hired in 1969.

In 1970 after serving Grace for sixteen years, Pastor Johnson resigned. He served congregations in Glen Ellen, Illinois and Nachusa, Illinois after leaving Grace. Pastor Hamm also left shortly after that to accept a call in Vandalia, Illinois. Michael Lagernian, who was ordained in 1971 at Grace, served as Pastor and W.E. Benson served as Vice‑Pastor during this interim period. Even though the church had no permanent pastoral leadership, many things were accomplished that year, a new dossal drape was hung in the back of the altar, a new outside storage shed was built, and the choir loft was remodeled. The twenty-fifth anniversary of the kindergarten was celebrated and eleven young people attended the Lutheran Youth Congress in Minneapolis that same year.