1898: Concordia Lutheran Church was established as a Swedish Lutheran Church in the Augustana Synod on January 29, 1898, by immigrants moving into the North Center neighborhood from Andersonville. The original building was a wood frame chapel on Cuyler and Damen Avenues. In 1903 the congregation moved to its present site, and began to build a more permanent sanctuary. The cost of the undertaking proved more daunting than members had anticipated. By 1910, only half of the building had been erected. For years, Concordia Lutheran Church was known in the neighborhood as "The Basement Church."
The building was finally completed in 1914, and the difference in bricks can still be seen between the lower and upper halves of the church. The rich traditions of Swedish Lutheran piety are reflected in the architecture and appointments of the open, vaulted sanctuary. Much of the woodwork was carefully crafted by church members. Favorite scripture themes--Christ as the Good Shepherd, and Children of the Heavenly Father-- are represented in the artwork of the stained glass windows.
1998: In honor of our Centennial, we undertook a major renovation of the church sanctuary. The sanctuary had not been renovated since 1983, when the church was painted, and an inventory revealed aged carpeting, cracked and damaged pews, some floor separation, broken steps, cracked plaster and peeling paint.
Renovations extended the Altar forward, completing the Altar rails around the Altar, and making the Altar the center of our worship space. The organ console was moved to the side, and the Pulpit and Lectern were moved to the front of the Chancel. The new arrangement greatly improved the seating for the choir, worship assistants, and acolytes, and improved access to the Altar for Holy Communion.
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Sanctuary Before Renovations Altar area cramped and tight Access made difficult by narrow, broken steps Seating for Acolytes behind the Pulpit Pulpit too high and far from congregation Lectern pressed against front pew Unused pews crowded at Chancel Organ console intrudes into worship space Lighting uneven and shadowy Movement constricted around Altar and pews |
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| Sanctuary After Renovations Altar placed in center of the Chancel Altar rails extend around the Altar Seating for choir and worship leaders balanced Pulpit and Lectern closer to the congregation Organ console located along south wall Wider stairs and easy access around Chancel Chancel a Chapel for evening services Improved lighting Room for movement |
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Today, Concordia Lutheran Church is a member congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the largest body of Lutherans in North America. Our congregation is a community with over one hundred members. Old traditions live in the fellowship of the congregation; i.e., the Fall Festival celebration in October, and the annual Christmas Smorgasbord in December. Emphasis is placed on the central activities of our faith: Worship and Christian Education.
