The Beginnings of the Chicago Mission Society

 The Chicago Mission Society was a combination church and mission for broken families. Reverend Carl Nelson was the leader. There was a small white wooden church along with many small homes on four acres of land.

Rev. Nelson came to Lake Zurich one fine summer day from Chicago with a bus load of people for a picnic.  He came up with $11,000 to purchase the four acres, but the  asking price was $15,000.  Rev. Nelson received a $5,000 donation from a woman he knew and was able to purchase the property.

The Missionary was for mothers with children that were deserted by their fathers. It also served as a place to get food, shelter and counseling until individuals could get back on their feet.

The missionary home provided a safe place to play, go to the beach, or get an education in our local schools and have weekly church services. In the summer time, other churches would use the property for picnics and baptismal services.

There were four acres with 385 feet of frontage on the lake with a white wooden church and six small homes or cottages that were divided into smaller apartments for these families.  At meal time, all the people would come together in one place to eat. There was a hired cook and a social worker who acted as a house mother.

These families would help with the daily chores and volunteers would come and help with the house repairs.  The Missionary relied on donations or Tag Day to get by.

The propert at 417 North Rand Rd. was then purchased and used as a summer camp. From 1920-40, it was owned by the Smulskie family and they had a summer resort with some cottages and picnic parking. At that time it became a year-around home for these families.

The Fire Department took down the six homes and left the church standing. The church was then used by a group of born-again Christians who called it Lake Zurich Full Gospel Church. These people occupied the church for nine years.

Later, Jack Rackow purchased the property, built a large home and lived there until 2003 when he passed away. Today, there are a number of large homes that have been built on this property.

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