Our History
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Summary
Since the earliest settlers into the Schaumburg area (Sarah's Grove), St. Peter Lutheran Church and School has been present. In the early 1830's, German settlers came into the area which is now known as Schaumburg, Illinois. These settlers worked together to build a better life in America. Together, they formally formed St. Peter Lutheran Church and School in 1847. These first settlers brought their Lutheran faith. They instilled their Lutheran beliefs and morals into the roots of the community. As the church and school grows and continues to teach the Gospel, the sense of family is felt all around. St. Peter Lutheran Church and School played a large role in building Schaumburg. St. Peter also assisted in the development of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Through the years, new buildings have been built, Pastors and congregational members have come and gone but one thing has remained... the Gospel!
1832-1861
Throughout the history of St. Peter Lutheran Church of Schaumburg, Illinois, we see God's abundant grace and every blessing. It is fitting that we recount God's divine favor and acknowledge His goodness upon our congregation in this country. After the Blackhawk Indian War of 1832, adventurous Englishmen entered the Illinois Territory and surveyed it for homesteading. They called this area Sarah's Grove in 1835. When repressive action followed the unsuccessful German Revolution of 1830, scores of German immigrants came to America and some to Sarah's Grove. Grateful to God for their freedom in this new land, they held their first Lutheran service in Schween's barn on Second Christmas Day of 1840. The service accompanied by the cackling of hens and lowing of cattle, as that which hallowed the First Christmas, was conducted by the Reverend Francis Hoffmann. He continued to come from Dunkley's Grove (Addison) once a month and served the German settlement with Word and Sacrament. More Lutheran families moved into the community during the 1840's. Then it was decided to join with the congregation at Long Grove and call the Reverend Simon Dumsen, who had been serving as missionary to the Chippewa Indians. He began services here in July of 1846. Here they constructed a building to serve as church and school and provide a cemetery for the burial of their dead. They immediately sold the east ten acres for $50 to have the land unencumbered.
Even though the first beginnings were recorded on December 26, 1840, and they continued as a worshiping community from that time, it was not until the Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity in 1847 that St. Peter Congregation was formally organized. Fourteen families signed the constitution, fell a tree and brought the lumber to the site to erect their first building. It was completed and dedicated with a fifty‑foot tower the next year.
The Reverend Francis Hoffmann was called in 1847 to serve as pastor and teacher. He not only served as spiritual leader to his flock but was their interpreter of the new American way of life. He was the first postmaster for the community. When he resigned in 1851 due to a physical affliction, he became a banker in the city of Chicago and later was elected lieutenant governor of Illinois. He wrote under the pen name of Hans Buschbauer.
A distinct German community was deserving of a distinct German name. The English name of Sarah's Grove did not satisfy those of German heritage. In 1850 they held a town meeting. All suggestions were put aside when the German patriarch Frederick Nerge arose to speak and pounding the table, declared in low German, "Schaumburg schall et heiten!" So it was named Schaumburg after their homeland in Germany.
In 1851 the congregation extended its next call to the Reverend J. Nicholas Volkert of Highland Grove. He accepted and was installed on Second Pentecost Day, 1851. These were difficult days for the doctrinal life of the congregation. The books and hymnals they had brought with them were confusing the people with their rationalism and pietism. Under careful pastoral leadership they came to realize this and set them aside in 1853 for the hymnal of the Lutheran Church ‑ Missouri Synod and a catechism from New York. In the spring of 1858, Pastor Volkert accepted a call to Lafayette County, Missouri.
The congregation was led to calling next the Reverend Frederick Rickmann of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He, as Pastor Francis Hoffmann, was present and a signer at the organization of The Lutheran Church ‑ Missouri Synod in Chicago on April 26, 1847. He came, not only to serve St. Peter, but, also, St. John Lutheran Church of Rodenburg from 1858 to 1862 and then St. Peter alone to 1869. His ministry was eventful and progressive.
A new constitution was adopted and the congregation was accepted into membership of Synod on October 10, 1860. A new parsonage was built. As chaplain for the 58th Regiment of Ohio Volunteers, he gathered a number of men together from the area and served in the Civil War in 1862. He wrote a number of letters to report his activities to the president of the Synod, Dr. C. F. W. Walther, which are in the possession of the Concordia Historical Institute in St. Louis, Missouri. After three months of service, he was compelled to return home because of ill health.
1862-1900
Now that the congregation had outgrown its first house of worship, it was decided in 1862, while the Civil War was still raging, to build a new church. The cornerstone was laid on May 12, 1863. Members hauled brick from Dundee and other materials from the surrounding community and furnished the labor for the building. When completed, they looked upon a beautiful edifice 85 feet long, 40 feet wide, and 22 feet high at the eaves with a 127 foot steeple. Not counting the cost of labor donated by the members, their gothic structure cost $10,000 and was almost all paid for at the time of completion. Dedication took place on November 4, 1863. Later a 1,600 pound bell was added to call the worshipers to services. Pastor Richmann resigned in 1869 to accept the call to St. John in Elgin, Illinois.
His successor was the Reverend Henry Schmidt of Dundee, Illinois, who was installed on October 17, 1869. During his pastorate the congregation was instrumental in beginning new missions in the area. In 1873 the congregation hosted the Western District of the Synod and was honored by the presence of the president, Dr. C. F. W. Walther. The old organ purchased in 1855 for $500 was replaced with a new organ in 1880 for $1,224.00. After a faithful ministry of fourteen years, Pastor Schmidt asked for his release to accept the call extended to him by the congregation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The congregation then called the Reverend Gustaf Mueller of Kankakee, Illinois, who was installed on November 25, 1883. He introduced the "Christenlehre" during the services on November 25, 1884. An amendment was made to the constitution denying membership to lodge members. The East District School was organized and started in September of 1886 with school and teacherage on the corner of Schaumburg and Rohlwing Roads (I‑90). The West District School on the church property in 1888 built a new building to replace the original chapel‑school of the congregation. This building was moved to be near the church and parsonage and served as a meeting room and confirmation room. An addition was built on the parsonage. In 1888 the Illinois District of the Synod met at St. Peter. A new school district was formed in 1899 with St. John of Rodenburg in Roselle. This group later became an independent congregation, Trinity, in 1910.
1900-1959
Lightning struck the church steeple on July 11, 1904, and set it on fire. The fire, which burned slowly downward, was extinguished by bucket brigade. But the steeple was destroyed and had to be rebuilt, and the organ had to be replaced at a cost of $1,300, and the bell was cracked and made useless. In 1956 the Men's Club replaced the bell and memorialized the founders of the congregation by placing it as a monument on the front lawn of the church.
For reasons of health Pastor Mueller resigned in 1905 after twenty‑two years at St. Peter. His remains lie in St. Peter Cemetery.
The Reverend Gottlob Theiss was called from Hampton, Iowa, and installed on April 29, 1906. During his pastorate the congregation decided to electrify the church in 1929. In 1932 they began to remove the horse sheds with the assurance that the owners could park their cars in the same place. English services were introduced once a month in 1932. In addition to serving the congregation, Pastor Theiss held various offices in the Northern Illinois District of the Synod. His sudden death in 1935 brought an end to his faithful pastorate of thirty‑nine years. He was buried here at St. Peter Cemetery.
At this time the congregation called the Reverend Carl Pfotenhauer of Vernon, British Columbia, Canada, and he was installed November 3, 1935. In 1939 two English services were conducted each month and Holy Communion was celebrated four times in English and eight times in German each year. When Pastor Pfotenhauer received the call from Zion, Chicago, in 1940, he felt conscience bound to accept it.
For his successor, the congregation chose the Reverend Martin Behling of Pingree Grove, Illinois, and he was installed on June 2, 1940. The congregation made arrangements at this time to celebrate Holy Communion once a month in German and once a month in English, and divine services were conducted in both languages. An American flag was placed in the church in 1941; the first church bulletin appeared in 1942; the altar candles were replaced with electric lights in 1946; 100 English hymnals were purchased in 1946; and in the same year the congregation adopted the Synodical Pension Plan for pastors and teachers. A basement and new heating system were installed in the church in 1946 for $2,493. Congregational meetings in 1948 were now conducted in English and it was ordered to change the constitution and by‑laws from German to English. In 1948 Pastor Behling accepted a call to Decatur, Indiana.
Imploring the Holy Spirit's guidance the congregation called the Reverend Frederick A. Hertwig from Holy Cross in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and installed him on January 30, 1949. The congregation went on to purchase a new organ in 1949 at a cost of $11,500. The East and West School Districts were consolidated in 1949 and the West District school building on the church property was enlarged to accommodate the enrollment in 1950. English services were now held every Sunday in 1950. The revised constitution and by laws in the English language were adopted with rules and regulations for the cemetery. The electric lights on the altar were replaced in 1954 with candles to be lighted every service. The first Sunday School was conducted in 1954.
A major renovation and redecorating program of the church building was undertaken in 1954 and 1955. It began with the tuck-pointing of the exterior and followed with the renovation and redecoration of the interior at a cost of $29,000. A teacherage was built in 1957 at a cost of $15,070. The first Vacation Bible School was held in 1957. This was followed with the beginning of a kindergarten class in 1958. In 1959 Pastor Hertwig accepted a call to St. John of Edgerton, Wisconsin.
1960-1990
St. Peter congregation called the Reverend John R. Sternberg from Memorial, Vancouver, Washington and installed him on March 6, 1960. To more adequately provide for the spiritual feeding of the congregation, Holy Communion was served on the second and fourth Sundays of the month and monthly Sunday evening services with Holy Communion were conducted. German communion services were held separately each month. Later they were reduced to six a year and finally discontinued in 1970.
The Sunday morning "Coffee Hour" of Bible study was instituted in 1960. To meet the expanding school enrollment, a cornerstone was laid for a new building in September and dedicated in November of 1960 with four classrooms, library, office and gymnasium. Two services were held each Sunday with Sunday School and Bible classes in between the services. Mid‑week summer services and Advent services were also added. The constitution and By‑Laws were revised to more adequately provide for the expanding church program and the greater involvement of the lay people.
In 1963 the congregation celebrated throughout the year the one‑hundredth anniversary of its church building in various services and programs. Since the original cornerstone could not be found, a second cornerstone was placed. A museum was organized in the original chapel school building in 1963 and later relocated and renovated in 1970 at is present site. This building is the oldest building built by Lutherans in all of Chicagoland.
A vicarage program was begun in 1965. Pastor Sternberg was elected to the District Board of Christian Education in Northern Illinois in 1963 and served in this capacity as chairman until his retirement in 1990. As a member of the Schaumburg Rotary Club, he served as its president in 1974‑75. He also served the community as Commissioner on the Olde Schaumburg Centre Commission.
With the continued growth of the area, the school enrollment also increased. It now became necessary to enlarge the school with six more classrooms, kitchen, cafeteria and offices in 1963. Even this was not enough and two relocatables were added for two more classrooms and the "old school" building was used for kindergarten classes and later for the pre‑school nursery begun in 1971. The old school building is also used for scout and youth activities.
Building continued at St. Peter with an additional teacherage in 1962 for $11,000 built entirely with volunteer labor. In 1970 a new parsonage was built for $22,000 and the old parsonage was removed.
In 1972 the congregation celebrated its 125th Anniversary in services, programs and a pageant for the community. At this time they also undertook the large task of re‑shingling the church roof and steeple at a cost of $12,294 and the complete redecoration of the interior for $23,000.
The vicarage program, begun in 1965, was discontinued in 1974. To better provide more pastoral care for the congregation and particularly its youth, the congregation, now numbering over 1,000 communicants and over 2,200 souls, decided to call a second pastor. The Reverend George K. Krestik of Herrington, Kansas, was called and installed on July 14, 1974. This necessitated a second parsonage, which was built in 1975 for a cost of $37,000. He served here until 1978 when he accepted a call to Greensboro, North Carolina.
The congregation then called the Reverend Fred C. Ade from Good Shepherd, Frankfort, Illinois, to become Associate Pastor. He was installed on December 10, 1978, to serve particularly in the area of stewardship.
For the next two years Pastors Sternberg and Ade were instrumental in starting a new mission. They began Ascension Lutheran Mission in Elk Grove Village on September 16, 1979. After conducting services in Link School the first year and a half, ground was broken and two mobile classrooms were brought in and remodeled into a chapel and fellowship hall. A pastor was called and installed on July 19, 1981.
When Schaumburg Road was widened, the congregation took on the huge task of property improvement in landscaping, entrance, sewer and water project, and the black topping of its parking lot. A home was moved to the property through the generosity of William Lambert and became the home of the principal.
After evaluating its ministry and potential for greater service to the Kingdom, St. Peter congregation decided to engage the ministry of an evangelist in the person of Lee Beer. He was installed on June 24, 1984. In 1986 he was given a call with tenure as Evangelist‑Assimilator for the congregation.
The Youth Ministry was now placed in the hands of Douglas Flett who also served as teacher in the school. He was succeeded by Cheryl Koester and many others since. A Family Life ministry was also begun by dividing the time of Principal Karl Schmidt with his school responsibilities, and then, upon his retirement in July, 1987, this became his part time ministry.
Roger Kirsch was called to be principal of the school beginning July 1, 1987. Dale Woock was appointed as Minister of Music, and Deborah Minnick as Parish Education Consultant. Dale Woock accepted a call to St. John, Elgin, in 1990. In October 1992, Linda Scheurman accepted the call to be Minister of Music.
To better meet the spiritual worship needs of people, the congregation inaugurated a contemporary "Service of Praise" in the Fall of 1986 that is held each Sunday in the school gymnasium.
In June of 1990, after 30 years of service to the Lord and His church, the Reverend John R. Sternberg retired from full time service at St. Peter Lutheran Church. A special retirement celebration was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Schaumburg where the congregation presented Pastor and Mrs. Sternberg with a new van.
1991-Present
Since the earliest settlers into the Schaumburg area (Sarah's Grove), St. Peter Lutheran Church and School has been present. In the early 1830's, German settlers came into the area which is now known as Schaumburg, Illinois. These settlers worked together to build a better life in America. Together, they formally formed St. Peter Lutheran Church and School in 1847. These first settlers brought their Lutheran faith. They instilled their Lutheran beliefs and morals into the roots of the community. As the church and school grows and continues to teach the Gospel, the sense of family is felt all around. St. Peter Lutheran Church and School played a large role in building Schaumburg. St. Peter also assisted in the development of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Through the years, new buildings have been built, Pastors and congregational members have come and gone but one thing has remained... the Gospel!
Timeline
1675 - Marquette founds a mission at the Great Village near Utica, IL
1818 - December 3 - Illinois becomes the 21st State
1832 - After the Blackhawk War, English men entered Illinois Territory and surveyed it for homesteading
1835 - The Englishmen called their homestead Sara’s Grove
1840 - Second Christmas Day - The first Lutheran service was in Schween's barn
1846 - July - Reverend Simon Dumsen conducted services
1847 - St. Peter Lutheran Church and School formally organized, and Reverend Francis Hoffman was called to become pastor and teacher
1850 - Sara’s Grove was renamed, "Schaumburg schall et heiten!"
1851 - Reverend Francis Hoffman resigned, and extended its call to the Reverend J. Nicholas Volkert of Highland Grove
1858 - Pastor Volkert accepted a call to Lafayette County, Missouri
1858 - St. Peter calls the Reverend Frederick Richmann of Grand Rapids, Michigan
1860 - October 10 - St. Peter accepted into the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
1861 - April 12 - The Civil War broke out between the South and the North
1862 - Pastor Richmann (as chaplain) joins members of St. Peter who joined the Union Army - 58th Regiment of Ohio Volunteers
1863 - May 12 - St. Peter placed the cornerstone of the historic church
1865 - April 9 - The Civil War ends
1869 - Pastor Richmann resigned to join St. John in Elgin, IL
1869 - October 17 - Reverend Henry Schmidt of Dundee, Illinois installed as Pastor
1883 - Reverend Henry Schmidt accepts a call to serve in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1883 - November 25 - Reverend Gustaf Mueller of Kankakee, Illinois was installed as Pastor
1886 - September - East District School was organized and started on the corner of Schaumburg and Rohlwing Roads
1888 - West District School was built on the church property (now the Red School)
1899 - A new school district was formed with St. John on Rodenburg Road
1904 - Lighting hit the historic church’s steeple and set it on fire
1905 - Pastor Mueller resigned after 22 years
1906 - April 29 - The Reverend Gottlob Theiss was called from Hampton, Iowa, and installed as Pastor
1914 - July 28 - WWl starts
1918 - February - Spanish Flu broke out in Kansas and spread to Illinois and other states
1918 - November 11 - WW I ended
1929 - Electricity added into the church
1932 - The church began to remove the horse sheds and turned the area into a parking lot
1932 - Services conducted in English once per month
1935 - The Reverend Theiss was called to his heavenly home
1935 - November 3 - the congregation called the Reverend Carl Pfotenhauer of Vernon, British Columbia, Canada
1939 - September 1 - World War II started when Germany invaded Poland
1940 - Pastor Pfotenhauer received and accepted the call to Zion, Chicago
1940 - June 2 - The Reverend Martin Behling of Pingree Grove, Illinois, was installed
1941 - December 7 - U.S. enters WWII
1944 - June 6 - Allies invade Normandy and start D-day
1945 - May 8 - Germany surrenders to the Allies bringing an end to WW II in Europe
1945 - Japan surrenders, bringing an end to the War in the Pacific
1946 - 100 English hymnals were purchased
1947 - St. Peter celebrates 100th Anniversary
1948 - Congregational meetings conducted in English
1948 - Pastor Behling accepted a call to Decatur, Indiana
1949 - January 30 - The Reverend Frederick A. Hertwig from Holy Cross in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, installed as Pastor
1949 - East and West School Districts were consolidated - Red School expansion
1959 - Pastor Hertwig accepted a call to St. John of Edgerton, Wisconsin
1960 - March 6 - The Reverend John R. Sternberg from Memorial, Vancouver, Washington installed as Pastor
1960 - November - Cornerstone laid for new building with four classrooms, library, office and gymnasium
1963 - School addition including six more classrooms, kitchen, cafeteria, and offices
1970 - All Services conducted in English
1972 - St. Peter celebrats 125th Anniversary
1974 - July 14 - the Reverend George K. Krestik of Herrington, Kansas, was called and
Installed
1978 - Pastor Krestik accepted a call to Greensboro, North Carolina
1978 - December 10 - The Reverend Fred C. Ade from Good Shepherd, Frankfort, Illinois, was installed as Associate Pastor
1979 - September 16 - Ascension Lutheran Mission in Elk Grove Village started
1986 - Contemporary "Service of Praise" held each Sunday in the school gymnasium
1990 - Reverend John R. Sternberg retired from full time service at St Peter after 30 years
1992 - February 2 - Reverend David P. Hudak from Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Streator, Illinois installed as Administrative Pastor
1995 - June 25 - dedication of New Sanctuary
1997 - Reverend Eldor W. Richter becomes part-time pastoral assistant
1997 - St. Peter celebrates 150th Anniversary
2000 - A connecting building was added between church and school
2001 - September 11 - Terrorists commit attack on Twin Towers
2002 - In December of 2002 the Reverend Fred C. Ade was called home to be with the Lord
2005 - September 11 - Reverend William C. Cate of Rockford, Illinois was installed
2007 - Church narthex was redecorated with ceramic, slate style tile, wall covering and new furniture
2009 - Matthew B. Peterson was assigned to St. Peter as a “convertible” vicar
2010 - The Reverend Matthew B. Peterson was ordained and called to St. Peter
2011 - Mathew B. Peterson was called to his heavenly home.
2012 - Pastor Hudak retires from the ministry
2012 - The Reverend Jerry Hays installed as Senior Pastor
2013 - The Reverend Gregory M. Hintz installed as Associate Pastor
2020 - March 2020 - Covid-19 broke out
2022 - October 2 - St. Peter Lutheran celebrates 175th anniversary