The History of Evangelical Lutheran Church of All Saints
The Lutheran Church of All Saints had it’s beginning in the winter of 1961 when concerned people petitioned the Lutheran Church of America to organize a congregation. The church charter was written on April 23, 1961, it was signed by 80 people. Services were initially held in the American Legion Hall in Fox Lake, Illinois and by November 5, 1961, was 200 members strong.
In 1962 the church moved into a store front building in Fox Lake. On Sunday, December 9, 1962 the building was destroyed by a gas explosion and fire. The disaster occurred after Sunday School was dismissed and before the start of the 10:30am service. Several people were hospitalized but thankfully there were no fatalities.
The church then moved to Lotus School, while plans were made to build it’s own building. On June 28, 1964, ground was broken at 5800 State Park Road. The new building was dedicated in February 1965. All Saints was a mission church until January 17, 1971, when the congregation voted to become self-supporting. In September 1984 the burning of the mortgage was celebrated.
The church continued to grow, and in 1985 a Building Committee was formed to plan expansion of the facilities. On April 22, 1989, a new sanctuary, Sunday School area and meeting rooms were dedicated. In January 1994 additional projects including entrance, parking lot, church sign, and ELCA logo on the front façade were dedicated.
In the year 2006, The Lutheran Church of All Saints celebrated its 45th anniversary. We give thanks to our Lord who provides all things. We celebrate together the members past and present, who are all members of the whole church under Jesus Christ, and each one a minister to His Word. We also give thanks for the Pastors at All Saints from the beginning to present, who have been God’s shepherds to this congregation.
Rev. Donald Karnuth Mission Developer
Rev. Paul Bollman 1/63 to 11/65
Rev. Byquist Interim pastor
Rev. Jack Lundin 4/66 to 6/68
Rev. Mark Holmer 6/68 to 12/73
Rev. D.V. Charlston Interim pastor
Rev. Carl Elwood 7/74 to 8/78
Rev. Joseph Hughes 7/79 to 9/83
Rev. Roger Elliot 3/84 to 12/91
Rev. Alden Salstrom Interim pastor
Rev. Nathan Anderson 9/92 to 12/19
Rev. Joe Chu 12/21 to present