Community Corner
St. Matthew Recognized for 150 Years of Faith and Service in Lemont
Historic Lemont church commemorates its 150th, honoring a legacy of faith, resilience, and community service since 1872
St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church, a historic pillar in the Lemont community, was honored for its 150th anniversary during a Village Board meeting on Monday, August 26, 2024. Lemont Mayor John Egofske presented an official proclamation recognizing the church's long-standing contributions to the town's spiritual and social fabric.
The church is also celebrating its 150th year by entering a float in the 72nd annual Lemont Keepataw Day Parade on Sunday, September 1, 2024, at 1 p.m. in downtown Lemont and participating in the Fun Fest that begins at 2 p.m. in the Metra lot. The St. Matthew property will also host the parade announcer and judges station.
Founded in 1872 by German Lutheran immigrants, St. Matthew has been steadfast in Lemont for a century and a half. The church's rich history began in 1869 when Rev. Gustav Barth, a young pastor-in-training from Chicago, began ministering to the German Lutheran community in Lemont. Through the efforts of Rev. Barth and fellow pastors Rev. Herman Querl and Rev. Martin Sondhaus, the congregation was formally established in 1872.
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Initially, services were held in members' homes until the Singer building, a former boys' school, was purchased in 1874. This building was moved to the church's current location at the corner of Lemont and Illinois Streets. Despite a devastating fire in 1918 that destroyed much of the original church, the resilient congregation quickly rebuilt, and the church continued to thrive.
In addition to its role as a place of worship, St. Matthew has been deeply involved in community service. It operated a Lutheran elementary school until 1966 and expanded its facilities to include a multi-purpose building in 1972. Under the leadership of Pastor Michael Gudgel, the church remains committed to its mission of spreading the message of Christ and serving the Lemont community through various outreach activities and partnerships.
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St. Matthew holds weekly worship services on Saturdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 9 a.m., followed by Sunday School and Adult Bible Study at 10:30 a.m. Services are also streamed live each Sunday on the church's Facebook page. As the church celebrates 150 years, it continues to look forward with faith and hope, dedicated to serving God and the Lemont community for generations to come. For more information, visit the church's website at this link.
