St. Andrew Lutheran Church Recovery Fund
Tax deductible
St. Andrew Lutheran Church is a fixture of our diverse community in West Chicago, Illinois. Serving one of the few majority Latino congregations in the Lutheran denomination, it is a church focused on celebrating culture, defending the rights of those who face injustice, and sharing our faith and the Love of God with all sisters and brothers equally. We believe that it is through love and relationship-building that we grow as a church, and that belief has helped us serve our community for nearly 60 years.
In 2005, the majority of our church burned down because of an electrical fire. It took four years to rebuild, during which time we suffered embezzlement of our savings for reconstruction. On Christmas Day 2009 we were able to reopen our doors and continue to worship in a new space.
Ten years later, our ministries are revitalized and our presence in the community is stronger than ever. Unfortunately, the setbacks we suffered more than 10 years ago have led us to a financial situation that threatens to close our doors if we do not reach out to all those who may be willing to help us.
In our church’s history, we have faced major hardships and challenges, but we have always done our best to persevere through them all by leaning on one another and trusting our faith and we trust with your help we can continue to do just that.
We are a recognized PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) location for our county.
We host our very own traditional Mexican Dance troupe which participates in cultural festivals and special events throughout the year.
Our members are participants in the Guardian Angels program of the ELCA in which English and Spanish speaking individuals volunteer to stand with otherwise unaccompanied migrant minors who face deportation trials.
We have partnered with Immigrant Solidarity Dupage, Northern Illinois Food Bank, School District 33 and fellow churches to help provide hundreds of individuals with healthy meals in weekly food distributions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In one of these events held on May 4th for example, we were able to help provide over 10,000 pounds of food donations, serving 250 families and 953 individuals.
The need at this time is overwhelming and we always want to be able to continue to serve as many sisters and brothers as we can for the years to come.
Our community truly thanks you from the bottom of our hearts for whatever contribution you are called to make. God bless you!
In 2005, the majority of our church burned down because of an electrical fire. It took four years to rebuild, during which time we suffered embezzlement of our savings for reconstruction. On Christmas Day 2009 we were able to reopen our doors and continue to worship in a new space.
Ten years later, our ministries are revitalized and our presence in the community is stronger than ever. Unfortunately, the setbacks we suffered more than 10 years ago have led us to a financial situation that threatens to close our doors if we do not reach out to all those who may be willing to help us.
In our church’s history, we have faced major hardships and challenges, but we have always done our best to persevere through them all by leaning on one another and trusting our faith and we trust with your help we can continue to do just that.
Our goal is ambitious, but please know that every contribution of any size moves us in a positive direction.
If we fail to reach our goal, our conservative estimates calculate that St. Andrew’s will only have enough reserves to pay our necessary expenses for much less than one single year. We are in danger of losing a place that is truly a sanctuary for hundreds of people in the area.
We thank God for all the beautiful relationships that have been created in this place and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us ensure St. Andrew Lutheran Church remains a spiritual sanctuary for the community and allow our members to be ambassadors of inclusion, justice, and God’s love for each other and for our community for the years to come.
Here are just a few of the ways we dedicate ourselves to serve our neighbors in West Chicago and the greater Chicago area:
We are a church that worships bilingually, in English and Spanish, and works to foster diverse friendships and bonds that last lifetimes among our congregation. Our youth and confirmation groups help encourage the growth of the youth in our community.
We regularly hold educational workshops for immigrant rights activism, partnering with Solidarity DuPage to provide the most up to date information in order to ensure that as many people as possible know and understand their rights.
We have helped in reuniting immigrant families with their loved ones in an event that took place right here at St. Andrew’s.
If we fail to reach our goal, our conservative estimates calculate that St. Andrew’s will only have enough reserves to pay our necessary expenses for much less than one single year. We are in danger of losing a place that is truly a sanctuary for hundreds of people in the area.
We thank God for all the beautiful relationships that have been created in this place and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us ensure St. Andrew Lutheran Church remains a spiritual sanctuary for the community and allow our members to be ambassadors of inclusion, justice, and God’s love for each other and for our community for the years to come.
Here are just a few of the ways we dedicate ourselves to serve our neighbors in West Chicago and the greater Chicago area:
We are a church that worships bilingually, in English and Spanish, and works to foster diverse friendships and bonds that last lifetimes among our congregation. Our youth and confirmation groups help encourage the growth of the youth in our community.
We regularly hold educational workshops for immigrant rights activism, partnering with Solidarity DuPage to provide the most up to date information in order to ensure that as many people as possible know and understand their rights.
We have helped in reuniting immigrant families with their loved ones in an event that took place right here at St. Andrew’s.
We host our very own traditional Mexican Dance troupe which participates in cultural festivals and special events throughout the year.
Our members are participants in the Guardian Angels program of the ELCA in which English and Spanish speaking individuals volunteer to stand with otherwise unaccompanied migrant minors who face deportation trials.
We have partnered with Immigrant Solidarity Dupage, Northern Illinois Food Bank, School District 33 and fellow churches to help provide hundreds of individuals with healthy meals in weekly food distributions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In one of these events held on May 4th for example, we were able to help provide over 10,000 pounds of food donations, serving 250 families and 953 individuals.
The need at this time is overwhelming and we always want to be able to continue to serve as many sisters and brothers as we can for the years to come.
Our community truly thanks you from the bottom of our hearts for whatever contribution you are called to make. God bless you!
Organizer
St. Andrew Lutheran Church
Organizer
West Chicago, IL
Saint Andrew Evangelical Lutheran Church
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
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