Bethlehem Lutheran Church (Chicago, Illinois) Official Acts and Records

Bethlehem Lutheran Church began in 1874 in Colehour, which later became Chicago, Illinois. A dedicated layman, Frederick A. Eggers, took the responsibility of locating a pastor to lead this community's worship and minister to them. On a cold day in 1866, Mr. Eggers was looking for a Pastor Beyer, and approached a man who was about to enter a house. He asked if this man could tell him where to find Pastor Beyer, and he was Pastor Beyer! Pastor Beyer promised to help. This began the Robertsdale Mission. German services were held in Robertsdale, Indiana in a schoolhouse, southeast of Chicago. later, Pastor Doederlein from First Trinity Lutheran Church in Chicago helped Pastor Beyer serve this congregation. Pastor Duburg of Immanuel, Chicago served Robertsdale Mission and helped to organize the congregation that became Bethlehem at its first official; meeting on December 27, 1874. A building committee was also identified at this meeting. Two men of the community donated land for the building. Bethlehem joined the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod on May 2, 1875, and plans were made to open a Christian school. The church building was dedicated on June 13, 1875. This school had to close until 1879, when it was reopened. In the interim, Bethlehem has rented their school space to the Chicago public schools. Due to the growth of Bethlehem's school, a second class needed to be added in 1884. A parsonage was also built. An addition was added to the church building in 1884 as well. A larger building was needed due to growth, so the cornerstone was laid for this new building on June 21, 1891. Dedication was held on November 22, 1891. The 25th anniversary of the congregation was held in December 1899. Sunday School was organized in 1911. English services became a regular occurrence. The Silver Anniversary of the church building was celebrated in 1916. A new organ was purchased on January 6, 1918. On Maundy Thursday, 1918, a fire destroyed this church building. The cause of this fire was never positively determined, but it was blamed on the boiler. The congregation did not become discouraged, as they decided to rebuild, as well as a school. The cornerstone was finally laid on October 12, 1919. World War 1 had caused delays in purchasing building materials. This building was dedicated on September 19, 1920. The 50th anniversary of the congregation was celebrated on December 28, 1924. The church constitution was translated from German to English in 1925. In 1928, Confirmation services were moved to Palm Sunday from Pentecost Sunday. Easter Sunrise services started during the Depression in the 1930s. During World War 2, one hundred eight of Bethlehem's men were in military service. Five lost their lives. The 75th anniversary was celebrated in 1949, with some decorative updates occurring in the sanctuary. In 1954, the Lutheran High School Association set up a goal for three Lutheran high schools in the area, and Bethlehem participated financially. In 1958, regular German services were discontinued. Bethlehem's 100th anniversary was held in 1974. Bethlehem's closing service was held in November 2015, and the church building burned to the ground in the summer of 2023.