​For Such a Time as This 

LVLC's 175th Anniversary Celebration​

February 12-19, 2023

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LVLC History

1854 - The church moves from the original site of LaSalle and Wells to the corner of Erie and Franklin.

1848 - Pastor Paul Anderson and a group of Scandinavian Lutherans found The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Chicago on February 14. 

​Anniversary Week Events

February 12- Service and Community Dinner at LVLC

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February 17- Anniversary Concert w/ pre-concert cocktail party

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February 19- Final church service in current building​​

1871 - The Great Chicago Fire almost completely destroys the church building. The congregation shrinks dramatically.

1983 - An emergency homeless shelter is established in the church basement, despite fierce neighborhood opposition. It operates nightly between November and April. 

1957 - As membership declines, the church looks to a new reverend, Leonard E. Klippen to take the reigns at Lake View. Working with congregational leaders, a new plan is developed to move east of Clark Street. 

2023 - ​175th Anniversary and demolition of Addison building

1891 - Due to changing neighborhood conditions, the congregation buys property in Lake View. An old Methodist church building is moved on rollers to the new site at Roscoe and Kenmore. 

1961 - The new facility is opened at 835 W. Addison.

1990 - Pastor Dennis Lauritsen accepts the call to lead LVLC. 

     When looking for a word or phrase to capture all that LakeView Lutheran Church has embodied over 175 years, one must be aware of the significance of the mere existence of LVLC at the end of 2022. Witness the history through which LakeView has come through: the Great Chicago Fire, the turn of two centuries, the passing of two world wars, the political and social upheaval of the '60s and '70s, the 2010s and early 2020s. LakeView has persisted and remained, providing a place of rest and healing, of recovery and love.

     Here you will find a smattering of videos, images and memories that demonstrate LVLC's impact on the Chicago community over 175 years. We hope to see you sometime in the next few months before we vacate the building, giving way to a new housing project for people with disabilities. Join us the week of February 12 for services, meals, and concerts to celebrate all that LakeView is. 

​​Keep scrolling for more photos from the LVLC vault!

2005 - Liala Beukema begins her tenure as LVLC's newest pastor

Videos