About Us:

In order to understand the story of Franzosenbusch, we must begin with the history of Immanuel Lutheran and its influence upon many of the surrounding communities. Hillside’s Immanuel Lutheran Church (itself, a daughter church of Zion Lutheran Church in Bensenville, Illinois), was the mother parish for churches in Forest Park, Hinsdale, Western Springs, La Grange, Lyons, Willow Springs and Bellwood, Illinois. It had its beginning in the year of 1858. A short history entitled, "Chronik " was entered in the church’s record book during the pastorship of Rev. Johannes Strieter, third pastor of ILC, (1873 – 1902). In this brief summary Rev. Strieter looks back and records the important events in the years prior to the founding of the congregation:

"On November 27th, the local Lutherans organized themselves into an independent community (parish) under the name of The Southern Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel Parish of Proviso, Cook County, Ill. The first pastor was C. Meyer, the first record of the gathering dates from December 8, 1858."