CHESTER – St. John Lutheran Church and School in Chester has chosen the theme “Building on a Foundation of Faith” for their ministry expansion campaign. The congregation voted in September 2023 to build a new facility for their day school which will include church and school offices, multipurpose rooms and daycare. The church and current school are located on the corners of W. Holmes and High Streets.
On May 4 at 11:30 a.m. the congregation will have a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of their new facility. This groundbreaking event marks a significant milestone in the history of the church’s Christian education and day school and is an exciting event for the entire community. The project has already begun with the demolition of buildings in the High Street and Oak Street area east of the church building. The current school building was originally built in 1913 with an addition to the school in1942. After several years of research and considering the age of the school building, the cost of upgrades and repairs involved vs. a new building, the congregation decided to build rather than remodel.
On this same weekend, the church and school wrap up their yearlong 175th anniversary celebration. In a letter to the congregation last Fall, Ministry Campaign Director, Dr. Stephen Platt, wrote “as we celebrate our 175th anniversary, it is time to pay it forward for the next 175 years and for generations to come. We have an opportunity to support our Christian education facility and connect our community to the Word of God.” Invitations have been sent out to area churches, Chester City Council, Chamber of Commerce and other community members. St. John’s welcomes anyone who would like to join this historic event on May 4 at 11:30. The groundbreaking will be located near High Street adjacent to the parking lot behind the church.
Other events for that Sunday are planned. Our school students are preparing to participate as grades 1-4 will be singing at our 10 a.m. church service. For the 10 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. services, Rev. Heath Curtis of Trinity, Worden, IL and Zion Lutheran Church, Carpenter, IL, and LCMS Southern Illinois District President, is the guest preacher. Following the groundbreaking, everyone is invited to the St. John Veterans Memorial Parish Hall for a “school” lunch including sloppy joes, chips, fresh veggies, and dirt-cake dessert.
As St. John’s embarks on this endeavor, we ask for your continued prayers. The community has already contributed time and labor to this project, and we express many thanks for that. Additionally, the church’s campaign has planned and received three-year commitments in pledges toward the cost of the project. However, this is a project that will continue to need financial support, and we encourage everyone to step up whether you are a member of the congregation, a former member, a former student or community member at large.
St. John Lutheran Church is located at 302 W. Holmes, Chester, with services on at 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 7:45 and 10 a.m. Sunday mornings with Bible Study and Sunday School at 9 a.m.
St. John radio ministry celebrated a milestone of 75 years of broadcasts along with the church and school’s175th anniversary. 10 a.m. services are broadcast over KSGM 980 AM and 105.3 FM radio or live streaming on ksgm980.com/listen-live/. For additional information about St. John’s New Facility project go to their website at www.sjshornets.com/buildingonfaith or on Facebook under St. John Lutheran Church and School
If anyone has any questions about St. John’s New Facility project, please call the church office at 618-826-3545.