Gethsemane Lutheran Church is located at 1937 S. 50th Ave.
(on the corner of 50th Avenue and 21st Street) in Cicero, Illinois.
Worship with us Sunday at 10:00 AM! Get involved with GL Youth, Confirmation, and First Communion Classes today!
All are welcome!
CBS Food Pantry
Gethsemane is home to the Cicero-Berwyn-Stickney Food Pantry, which shares food with neighbors on Tuesdays from 2:00 - 5:30 PM. As part of the global effort to eliminate hunger, the Cicero-Berwyn-Stickney Food Pantry exists to reduce hunger in our communities by collecting and distributing supplemental food and other goods to those in need. Visit the food pantry website at http://cbsfoodpantry.org/
Cicero Independiente
The mission of the CI is to provide bilingual, accurate reporting, connect residents to important resources and information, and equip our neighbors with journalism skills to engage in local democracy. We believe in bringing people of diverse media backgrounds together to co-create news that is useful and necessary. We believe in journalism that is reflective of the knowledge, resilience and organizing in a working-class, Black, brown, and immigrant community, journalism that holds those in power accountable and, most importantly, that is accessible in multiple languages and formats. CI envisions a future where we can all participate in documenting our stories for the generations to come. A future where we can all participate equally in transformational change. If you have always been curious about something happening in Cicero, have ideas for a story, or want to get involved email us at info@ciceroindependiente.com.
Lutheran Outdoor Ministries
Gethsemane supports the Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Center (LOMC) in Oregon, IL. Young people from Gethsemane attend camp programs at LOMC during the summer, and all are invited to attend weekend programs and work days. For more information about LOMC visit their website at http://lomc.org/
Our History
Gethsemane began its life in a store front room at 5129 West Cermak Road. On March 24, 1912, twelve people met there for worship and Gethsemane was born. Gethsemane English Evangelical Lutheran Church was officially organized as a congregation on June 30, 1912. The 100th anniversary of the congregation was celebrated throughout 2012.
As the congregation grew, it moved to the "portable chapel" at 51st Avenue and 23rd Place in March of 1914. By 1919, the congregation had purchased lots at 21st Street and 50th Avenue and began to build its permanent home. The "Bungalow Chapel," built on the rear of the lots, was dedicated for use on December 18, 1919. Further growth led to a need for more space. On June 12, 1938, the first addition to the bungalow was dedicated and the "Basement Church" was born. The final building stage - the upper level and our present nave - was dedicated on January 20, 1957.
Through the years Gethsemane has grown and changed with the town of Cicero. We have lived through and become part of the mergers of American Lutheran History:
Northern Illinois Synod of the General Synod
United Lutheran Church in America (1918)
Lutheran Church in America (1960)
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (1989)
As the congregation grew, it moved to the "portable chapel" at 51st Avenue and 23rd Place in March of 1914. By 1919, the congregation had purchased lots at 21st Street and 50th Avenue and began to build its permanent home. The "Bungalow Chapel," built on the rear of the lots, was dedicated for use on December 18, 1919. Further growth led to a need for more space. On June 12, 1938, the first addition to the bungalow was dedicated and the "Basement Church" was born. The final building stage - the upper level and our present nave - was dedicated on January 20, 1957.
Through the years Gethsemane has grown and changed with the town of Cicero. We have lived through and become part of the mergers of American Lutheran History:
Northern Illinois Synod of the General Synod
United Lutheran Church in America (1918)
Lutheran Church in America (1960)
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (1989)
Pastors (Past & Present)
Rev. William A. Kiser, D.D.S
1912-1957
Rev. Charles R. Fisher
1957-1960
Rev. Carl McKenzie
1960-1964
Rev. Roger L. Dahlin
1964-1972
Rev. Michael L. Schnell
1973-1976
Rev. Gary Wollersheim
1977-1980
Rev. Diane C. Johnson
1981-2020
Rev. Thomas R. Gaulke, Ph.D.
2020-2023
Pr. Patricia Cuyatti-Chavez
2023-
1912-1957
Rev. Charles R. Fisher
1957-1960
Rev. Carl McKenzie
1960-1964
Rev. Roger L. Dahlin
1964-1972
Rev. Michael L. Schnell
1973-1976
Rev. Gary Wollersheim
1977-1980
Rev. Diane C. Johnson
1981-2020
Rev. Thomas R. Gaulke, Ph.D.
2020-2023
Pr. Patricia Cuyatti-Chavez
2023-