Concordia Lutheran Church expanding to keep up with community

Name: Concordia Lutheran Church, Metropolitan Chicago Synod, ELCA.

Year built: The congregation was established Jan. 29, 1898. Thepresent church building was erected in 1912.

Neighborhood: 3855 N. Seeley Ave., North Center, Chicago.

Size and character of congregation: There are 262 baptizedmembers; average attendance is 65. The congregation has begun to growwith young new families moving into the community. The Sunday schooland confirmation programs have more than 30 children.

Spiritual leader: The Rev. Nicholas J. Zook, pastor since 1981.

Services: Sunday worship at 10 a.m.; Sunday school and classes at11 a.m.

Largest service and turnout: Easter, with around 150 people.

Wish list: To serve more families in need of child care, expandthe outreach ministry to teens and seniors, and to reach youngfamilies.

Most memorable event: Purchasing the vacant St. Veronica Schooland parish in January 2001 to expand the preschool and after-schoolprograms and starting a $9 million renovation to open a communitylearning center for children, teens, adults and seniors in Avondale,said Brenda Swartz, executive director of the nonprofit ConcordiaAvondale campus that is working on the project. This 28,000-square-foot community and learning center will open in the fall and willfeature 11 classrooms, a computer lab, fitness center, art room,recreation space, a cafe and two outdoor play lots. The center willalso offer accredited child care, preschool, after-school and summercamp programs.

Funniest/strangest moment during a service: When a fire alarm wentoff in the middle of the 100th anniversary service. It was a falsealarm, thankfully, Zook said.

Most popular after-service gathering spot: The church's FellowshipHall, where members gather for coffee and conversation.

Proudest moment: Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the churchin October 1998, with a reunion choir and remodeled sanctuary.

Highest-profile visitors: Nathan Soderblom, archbishop of Sweden,in 1923; Joseph Sittler, church theologian and professor at theUniversity of Chicago; Robert Jenson, church theologian and author;Aldermen Eugene Schulter (47th) and Dick Mell (33rd); U.S.Representatives Rahm Emanuel and Luis Gutierrez; state Sen. IrisMartinez, and state Representatives Richard Bradley and JohnFritchey.

Other offerings: A full-day preschool, after-school program,Sunday school for kids ages 2 to 13, confirmation classes for highschool students, youth group, choir, parish nurse ministry, parentclub ministry and adult education classes.