History
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Built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
(Ephesians 2:20) 1863 In October, a group of German immigrant farmers and their families - 23 in all – establish the Evangelical Lutheran St. Matthew Congregation of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession, at Russel’s Grove, Lake County, Illinois. 1864 Church and parsonage built (at a cost of $2800). School is held in parsonage and taught by the pastor. 1879 A school room is added to rear of church (at a cost of $95). 19 students attend first year. 1889 4 acres added to church property. One room school is built to accommodate 100 students. 1893 First teacher is called to teach 53 students. 1923 English language services introduced. Prior to this they were all in German. 1942 Original church sanctuary burns down. Congregation vows to stay together and worships in the school until the new sanctuary (now called the Historic Chapel) could be completed. Services held in school auditorium for 7 years as construction is delayed due to lack of materials during WWII. 1949 New sanctuary is completed and dedicated. 1952 Harold Krueger is called to be pastor, beginning a nearly 50 year pastorate at St. Matthew. 1953 School expands to 3 classrooms. Kindergarten added. 1959 School enrollment expands to 182 students and 5 teachers. Addition added to church. Periodic German services discontinued. Original parsonage burns. 1960 A new parsonage for the pastor and his family is completed. 1963 Cornerstone is laid for current school on our 100th anniversary. 1964 Current school dedicated. (cost $250,000) Enrollment is 165 students and 6 teachers. 1989 School first receives National Lutheran School Accreditation, which it continues to maintain. Rev. Carlton Payne is called to be Associate Pastor, serving with Pastor Krueger. 1990 Groundbreaking for a new and larger sanctuary. 1992 Sanctuary and new fellowship hall are completed and dedicated. 1993 Preschool started. 2000 Pastor Krueger retires from full-time ministry. 2002 Pastor Krueger celebrates 50 years at St. Matthew. 2010 Rev. Timothy Kinne is called to be Senior Pastor. 2011 Rev. Ed Blonski is called to be Associate Pastor. 2013 150th Anniversary Celebration of St. Matthew Lutheran Church and School. 2018 Due to decreasing enrollment, the elementary school (K-8) is discontinued to focus resources on an Early Childhood Ministry (with a 3-year-old and 4-year-old preschool). 2019 The Early Childhood Center becomes only the second preschool – and the first in Illinois – to receive National Lutheran School Accreditation. 2020 New video and internet technology is implemented to expand the congregation’s reach to a world-wide audience with live streaming of worship services and Bible studies as well as video devotions and podcasts. 2021 Pastor Timothy Kinne retires. Pastor Ed Blonski is named sole pastor. 2023 Rev. Ryan Ferguson is ordained – the first ordination at St. Matthew in 50 years - and installed as associate pastor. 2024 Brittany Johnson, Director of Church Ministry (DCM), is called to be Youth & Family Minister. |
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