History of Chicago’s Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Garfield Ridge
On November 12, 1939, a group of Lutherans began holding Services in a bungalow on the northeast corner of Parkside Avenue and 52nd Street.
On January 24, 1940, a resolution was adopted to organize a Lutheran congregation and the Rev. Hugo Bloedel was called to serve as Pastor. The name of the new Lutheran congregation was Parkside Avenue Evangelical Lutheran Church.
On February 4, 1940, the organization of the congregation was completed, and this date is considered the founding of what would become Gloria Dei Evangelical Lutheran Church of Chicago.
On March 3, 1940 the trustees were directed to purchase six lots on the northeast corner of South Major Avenue and 53rd Street. On May 18, 1941, the cornerstone was laid, and on September 28, 1941, the church building was dedicated.
On August 3, 1941, the congregation chose its new and official name, Gloria Dei Evangelical Lutheran Church (Gloria Dei is Latin for The Glory of God).
Seven pastors have served Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in its history: Hugo S. Bloedel, Henry J. Behrens, John F. Bauermeister, Elmer J. Sedory, William P. Yonker, Franklin H. Giebel, and Steven J. Anderson. The longest serving was the Rev. Elmer Sedory who served at Gloria Dei from 1955 until his retirement in 1988. Gloria Dei has been served since 2003 by the Rev. Steven J. Anderson, the second-longest serving pastor, who celebrated his 20th Anniversary at Gloria Dei in November 2023.
Already in the early to mid 1950s, there was talk of Gloria Dei starting a Lutheran School. That plan came to fruition, and Gloria Dei Lutheran School was built and the church building extensively renovated in the late 1950s. The renovated church and new school building were dedicated in September of 1960. Gloria Dei Lutheran Church operated a Lutheran Day School from 1960 until June of 2019, when the parish school was closed. The school was served by many faithful teachers and by four principals: Mr. Donald Marten, Mr. Douglas Rebeck, Mr. Scott Schilling, and Mrs. Virginia Terrell.
On November 27, 2022 (The First Sunday in Advent), after discussion and planning, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church of Chicago and Hope Lutheran Church of Countryside joined together in a Dual Parish arrangement with the Installation of Pastor Steven Anderson as the Pastor of Hope Lutheran Church, while continuing to serve as Pastor of Gloria Dei. Gloria Dei moved their Divine Service time to 9am and Hope to 10:45am.
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church continues to be an oasis of the proclamation of the clear Word of God in the Garfield Ridge community of Chicago. You are always welcome to visit us here.
