135 Years of Grace

The history of Grace Lutheran Church reaches back to Lutheran groups that were formed in Green County by the Synod of Northern Illinois. As early as 1859, a group of Lutherans formed Richland Lutheran Church in Jefferson Township, about three miles east of Monroe. In 1874 a church with a seating capacity of 200 and a cost of $2,750 was built on two acres of land purchased for $160 near the Richland Corners. (This is the building that was eventually moved to Monroe.) The Oak Hill cemetery, sometimes called Richland or Austin cemetery is across the road. Rev J.A. Beidler served Richland, Spring Grove and Twin Grove from 1874-1876 when Rev. J.M. Rees of the Iowa Synod succeeded him.

Spring Grove Lutheran Church was organized in 1866 by Rev S. Cook of the Northern Illinois Synod. They had a church building at that time with a seating capacity of 150. The church was often referred to as the “Klaas Church” after Louis Klass who donated the land and much of the money for building the church. There was also a small cemetery, but no signs of the church or cemetery exist today.

In 1874 Twin Grove the English Lutheran Church was organized. Sixteen people were present and Rev R.A. Beidler was called to be Pastor. The Oakley Lutheran and Rock Grove parishes joined in a re-alignment of these three churches. In 1877 a church building was erected that included a tower and bell at a cost of $2,775.71. A parsonage was purchased for $250. The members were closely related to the Oakley Union Church, in which both Lutherans and Reformed congregations co-operate. The Twin Grove parish functioned until the 1930s. 

Salem Lutheran Church was organized in 1868 by Rev J.K. Bloom who was a former pastor of Richland Lutheran from 1864-1866. They first built a church at Shueyville, one-half mile east of Clarno, and shared the building with the German Reformed Congregation until it died off at the turn of the century. A second church was built in West Clarno. The entire community was composed mostly of Pennsylvania Dutch. The church closed in 1938, and the building was torn down in 1939. 

In 1890 a group of Lutherans including David Holmes, Levi Deihl, Samuel Cotherman, and Peter Lichtenwalner of Monroe;Levi Rodocher and Samuel Homes of Twin Grove; and Hugh Lichtenwalner, George Dunmoyer and Fosmen Lichtenwalner of Clarno met to extend a call to Rev N. Klock of Kent, IL to start a Lutheran Church in Monroe. Rev Klock would serve the new Monroe congregation along with Clarno and Twin Grove. By the next week the congregation was officially organized with 36 persons signing the charter and taking the name of the Pilgrim’s Home Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Richland Lutheran congregation was dissolved that year and the church building was moved to 9th Street and 20th Avenue Monroe to become the first home for Pilgrim’s Home Evangelical. 

Differences between the Pastor and the Synod created many problems and for a while the controversy caused the church to be called the “Dead Church” by the community. The Rev. Klock resigned in 1891. In May 1892 there were 23 members with a new pastor, Rev Beidler, to lead the congregation. In 1894 the church building was moved again to its present location at 11thStreet and 15th Avenue. In 1896 the congregation took the nameof Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. In 1898 there were 63 listed members.

In 1901 a call went out to the Synod and to the Board of Missions for support of a Pastor. They asked for $250. Rev. Kauffman came in 1902 from Lena, IL. Another re-organizing of the church was held with 48 members. At the end of the year there were 54 members, and benevolence was paid in full. While Rev. Kauffman was here council meetings were taken up with the concern of getting enough wood for the cold months and paying the Pastor his salary. The trustees mowed the grass. There was a cottonwood tree on the property, and it was decided to remove it and chop it up for firewood for the coming winter in 1903. One of the outstanding events of the era were the evangelistic efforts conducted by Rev. F. “Grandpa” Bright, who reorganized and strengthened the area Lutherans in 1904. Many of our members became part of the fellowship during that time. In 1905 the church became self-supporting and was removed from the Mission Church rolls. 

In 1907 Rev. Hartman was called and was here for 10 years, leaving in 1917. Pastor Hartmann walked the railroad tracks to Clarno every other Sunday to preach. He would then stay overnight. Rev. Hartman is remembered by some for his bedtime stories from those days. A motion picture shown in the church in 1908 netted $17. The church building was moved again in 1910 to make room for the parsonage, which was constructed for the cost of $4,365.86.

Rev. Louis Gunderman arrived in 1917 and soon after envelopes were started as a way of weekly giving. The congregation turned down the idea of remodeling the current building and voted instead to start thinking about a new church building. During the teen 1900’s, Grace Church was growing. The Sunday School was doing well with close to 200 children attending. There were also several classes for adults and young adults. Rev. Gunderman liked to have little messages—or treats— printed for the church members. In 1917 he had a small “GREETING” printed for every member wishing all “A Joyous Christmas and A Happy New Year”. It invited all to be in church at 10:30 Christmas morning for special services. A short message was printed which ended “It is my wish to be your true friend—to so minister that Christ may be formed in you in the hope of glory. In the sunshine and the shadow of the days that are to be, may the angel of God’s presence go with you all the way, then no day can be dark and dreary.” Prayer meetings were also held on Sunday evenings at 6:30. Committees were formed—with names such as: Lookout; Prayer Meeting; Missionary; Social; Flower; and Program. Meetings were divided up into six-month segments, including men folk. Topics were: Speech, Wise and Unwise; How do Men Confess Christ; How to Use the Bible. Some names in this tract would be familiar to the older members of Grace, such as Holmes, Knoll, Tree, Geigle. Their object was to: “Promote an earnest Christian life among our members, to increase their mutual acquaintance, and to make them more useful in the service of God”.

It was voted to accept the plans for a new church in 1919, and the “old white church” was torn down. The problem of where to hold services arose.  They found space to rent from the Modern Woodmen of America, a Fraternal Insurance organization who had a hall on the south-side of the square. June 29, 1919 was the last time for services in the old church.  They had Communion Service at 10:30; Bible School w/Rally Day at 9:30; Christian Endeavor Meeting (a young people’s society) at 6:30 P.M., and Children’s Day exercises at 8:00 P.M.  

The new church was dedicated in December 1920. Total cost including organ, speakers, pews, folding chairs, light fixtures, and architect fees was $29,077.95. Special services were held in the morning with music by the choirs and organ. At 2:30 P.M. a Community Service was held with Mayor, District Attorney and assemblyman giving short talks. A Vesper Service was at 7:30 P.M. with the President of Carthage College speaking. Also planned during the week were special services on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights with area ministers preaching. Rev. Gunderman had 3X5 cards printed for the Dedication Day where members could promise to pay to the Building Fund. Their pledge would be paid in 3 payments for a period of 3 years, each due on December 1st. At the time of the dedication there were pledges totaling $19,278.14. The remainder was to be raised through bank notes and cash on hand. But in 1921 the council had to borrow $4,000 to pay operating bills. The building committee turned in their last report in July showing that $6,600 was still due on the new church building.

Many companies were involved in the building of the church in 1919-1920. Businesses in Monroe and far off were contracted and their expertise helped make the church building a reality. The architects were Brust and Philipp of Milwaukee along with Wagner and Howe of Monroe. Their contract price was $26,045. An electrical company form Campaign Illinois did electrical work of lighting fixtures—lampposts. The windows for the church were made by the Ford Brothers Glass Co. in Minneapolis. A contract written by hand to the building committee, listing the windows to be installed was $40—that included 16 windows in the Nave, the 3 large windows (now behind the chancel), 3 windows in the tower, and transom over a door. These were done in high quality glass with round lead cemented in red lead, with names of people donating the windows. We received 144 folding chairs for $126. We purchased church pews, altar, pulpit and lectern from Manitowoc Church Furniture. Monroe Electric wired the church lamps. 3600 post cards were purchased from Milwaukee for $28. Lanz Hardware and Geigle Hardware of Monroe furnished supplies for various jobs. Will Geigle was a member of the church. After the church was built several problems/complaints arose with the general contractors. These issues were given to several men to act as arbitrators. Robert Rote of Monroe was one of 3 men, the other 2 were from Milwaukee. They received $25 per day for their fees. This was done in January 1921. Some complaints were:

• Heating registers in floors were to be cast iron-pressed steel was used. Not heavy enough for overweight people.

• Screens in the Belfry were to be copper—galvanized wire was used.

• Flashing around the tower does not fit properly. 

• Brick work not properly cleaned.

• Oil on floors should be removed. 

• Wall at rear of building allows water thru—destroying plaster inside.

• Failure to plaster basement walls with cement plaster, not lime plaster.

These were just a few of the issues. All were settled and $114 was awarded to the church. There was even a complaint about the color of the stain used on the front doors.

In September of 1921 Rev. Gunderman resigned and the Rev. A.A. Hahn began as new Pastor on January 1, 1922. He resigned eight months later on September 10th. Rev. George Beiswanger came in October 1923. The congregation paid the building off in the fall of 1922 and they purchased a car for the pastor to use in serving the three congregations. The cost of the car was $655,which also included the cost of the license. In 1922 there were 205 Sunday School pupils, an all-time high attendance, which was not reached again until the 1950s.

 The church had a stand at the Green County Fair to raise money, and records of 1925 showed the stand netted $850. That year a garage for the car was added to the church building.

Consideration was made in 1926 to purchase the property to the west of the church for the sum of $6,000 but the matter was dropped. This property was finally purchased in 1956 at a cost of $13,000.

A new pipe organ was purchased for $4,300 in 1930. It was a miniature replica of the world’s greatest. That organ was in Chicago Stadium-price $250,000. It was a Maxcy-Barton. Special services were held and 300 friends of Rev. Gunderman attended the celebration from Michigan. The Sunday School attendance was broken at 187. It was also the 10th Anniversary of the church building and the 40th of the church itself. In the evening 500 people packed the nave to hear the organ recital. This was presided over by Prof. Donald Larson of the U.W. School of Music. He played both sacred and classical favorites. Six ministers from the area assisted newly called Pastor Beiswanger. Prof. Larson was assisted by Mrs. John Ivey, who was a local piano teacher and the church’s organist (she was hired at $3 per Sunday). During the preceding years pianos and 50 song books were purchased. 

Rev. Beiswanger left in 1931 and Rev. Carl Walter came in September as the new pastor. A picture of Christ “Come Unto Me” was painted for the congregation by Dr. Guy Shewman of Freeport during that year. He was an interior church decorator. This very large (8 X 13 feet) oil on canvas was on the wall of the Chancel area. No records can be found as to the price of the painting or who gave it to the church. In January 1931 notations were made in the Council minutes that “the Church Council and the congregation are not responsible in any way for the cost of the painting hung in the church by Mr. Shewman”. Additional notes read “The picture is to be removed at the earliest convenience of Mr. Shewman. If corrections are made, they must be satisfactory to the Church Council before the picture is again hung in the church. There is to be no added cost for the corrections and re-hanging.” This oil painting was rehung where it stayed until renovations in 1983.

During the depression the church was in debt most of the time and pledges were not being fulfilled. The pastor was not always paid in full every month and the Ladies Aid paid the organist’s salary. Trouble was had in maintaining a regular choir director. Sunday evening services were not well attended and not even held during the summer months. During this time, it was voted not to have a janitor or pay benevolences. The pastor’s salary amounted to $100 per month. Dr. Armin Wang, President of the Illinois Synod, visited with the church council to try to formulate a plan to raise more money to pay up back obligations. “Catch-Up” envelopes were sent out. In February of the next year it was decided to hire an organist and janitor for $1.50 per month. In 1934 benevolences were paid again in amounts ranging from almost nothing up to 50%.

Trouble arose in 1935 between the congregation members and the pastor. In June of that year the President of the Synod was called to talk with the council. Rev. Walter resigned in April of 1936. 

Rev. C.R. Lowe was elected pastor and took charge in June 1936. In 1940 when the pastor was absent at a church council meeting, it was moved to limit the church sermons to 20 minutes. The church at that time was in debt $700. By action of the church council and the congregation Rev. Lowe was asked to resign and he did so in September 1941.

For a time, the church was supplied by students. Mr. Dwight Filkins spent the summer in supply. During the time the congregation was without a pastor, the parsonage was rented for $25 per month. Three feet of property to the west of the church was purchased in 1942.

Rev. Newell Mendenhall was called and became pastor in November of 1942. One of the first changes Rev. Mendenhall initiated was the rotation of council member terms. Sunday school attendance had dropped during the 1930s to around 60but were beginning to climb. Boy Scout Troop 101 began their charter meetings in the church. The financial condition of the church improved. There were 233 communing members who celebrated the 60th Anniversary in 1950. Rev. Mendenhall resigned and left in November of 1951.

Rev. Clarence Warfel served from 1952 until 1960. In 1953 the kitchen was remodeled and new sidewalks on each side of the church were created. In 1955 a proposed budget of $16,985 was almost reached with an increase of about 60% in pledges. In 1956 a building fund was started when the property to the west of the church was purchased. Sunday School began using the house and eventually the kindergarten and primary classes were also held there. Discussion concerning remodeling the church continued until 1960 when plans began to be formulated. At the annual meeting in 1960 the use of wine for Communion was voted on and passed.

Rev. James Plymire was called and became pastor in 1961 and served until 1967. In 1962 a new church cross was dedicated. It was purchased at the conclusion of the final convention of ALC Synod by Pastor Plymire, who transported it to the church. It was carved from solid oak weighing 85 lbs. and was 7 ft. long. With the explosion of the furnace in 1963, the congregation was forced to expand into new educational facilities. A donation from the estate of Vernon Lichtenwalner became the basis of the building campaign. The parsonage was torn down and ground was broken for the 50′ by 100′ addition in 1963. The dedication was held in June of 1964. The addition housed a Sunday School wing, offices, choir rooms and conference rooms for meetings. Building costs and fees amounted to $99,750. In June 1965 the membership reached the all-time high of 1,136 baptized members. The debt on the building was reduced to $37,916.93.

Rev. Larry Pinnow served as senior pastor at Grace from 1968 until 1993. In 1971 Grace Lutheran started an intern program. Interns came from Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque. They were paid $50 per weekend and 10 cents per mile. In 1974 the program had full-time interns that were paid $275 per month. Membership at Grace in 1976 grew to 1,436. Rev Allan Schoonover served as a part-time associate pastor from 1979-1982. Beginning in 1983 the first full-time associate pastor wascalled to serve the congregation. Rev William Shepherd served from 1983-1987, Rev David Drewes from 1988-1991, Rev Mark Brandt from 1992-1997. The 90th year celebration in 1980 included the dedication of a new carillon. In 1983 the church was remodeled to make room for a larger narthex. The sanctuary was completely rotated. This extensive renovation required worship services to be held at the Monroe Arts & Activities Center and the basement of the church until completion. The renovated church was dedicated in September of 1983.

Rev. Gail Heidtke served as pastor from 1994 until 2001. Rev,Mark Brandt continued as associate pastor until 1997 and Rev.Robert Kirchman served as associate pastor from 1999-2002. In 1996 the house at 1015 15th Avenue was purchased. It became the home of Green County Food Pantry and the office for Green County Habitat for Humanity. These entities remained until 2012. In 1998 Resurrection Lutheran gifted their church site located at N3029 14th Ave to Grace Lutheran. Their congregation began in 1979, and they met in various locations until they built their church in 1983. Once gifted to Grace Lutheran, the building was used for special services and meetings during the week. The property was sold in 2013 to Stone Mill Construction, LLC.

Various interim pastors including James A Schwarz served the congregation from 2001-2002

Rev Keith Anderson served as pastor from 2003 until 2006. On September 14th, 2005, Grace Lutheran purchased the “White House” located at 1009 15th Ave. The “White House” was used for storage and an apartment for pastoral interns.

Rev. John Tabaka accepted a call in 2007. In 2008 an elevator was installed making the church building totally handicap accessible. Rev. Ron Massen and later Rev. Richard Thickpenny served the congregation from 2007 until now as visitation pastors. During the summer of 2012 the 1015 15th Avenue house (formerly the Food Pantry) was demolished to make way for a parking lot and street-level handicap accessible entrance. In the same year the “White House” became the Day Center for the Green County Family Promise Program which provided housing and assistance to homeless families and individuals.

In 2020 our church faced many changes due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In March of 2020 the congregation complied with “stay at home” orders and ceased meeting in person. Pastor Tabaka posted a weekly devotional to YouTube. Educational endeavors were put on hold and meetings took place online. After health orders were lifted that year, we began worshipping in person again. The service was modified to limit time in the building together and health practices were implemented. The Sunday service was streamed on Face Book Live with many people worshipping in this manner. In the fall, Sunday School and Confirmation classes were held online. Family Promise moved from the “White House”, and we began a new partnership with “House of Hope” to use the house as a transitional residence for women in recovery from substance and alcohol addiction. 

A roof fund was established in 2020 and by June 2025 $361,000 was raised to replace the existing asphalt roof with a new metal roof. 

As Grace Lutheran celebrates 135 years as the “downtown church”, we are blessed to have Rev. John Tabaka as our Pastor and Beth Faith who serves as Deacon and Parish Secretary. They provide a spiritual presence, helping to serve the needs of the congregation and community, and fulfilling its mission statement of “Know God, Grow in Christ, and Go with the Holy Spirit.”