Through the faith of 12 families
In 1909, 12 families of the Lutheran faith and members of churches in neighboring towns were called to assemble a congregation in Park Ridge. With the guidance of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Park Ridge began on June 27, 1909.
To a little white church
A white frame church home for St. Andrews was built in 1911 and became a landmark on Northwest Hwy. In those days, families traveling long distances built buggy sheds on the property.
The congregation worshipped in the white church for more than 40 years, until that building was razed in 1953 and ground was broken for the present church. Our sanctuary was dedicated in 1954.
And a school
From the beginning, the congregation believed wholeheartedly in Christian education for both children and adults, and from St. Andrews earliest days, we have maintained a Christian day school.
Our first school building was erected in 1923, and a new educational building was dedicated in 1966. The parish hall/school gym and offices were completed in 1976. In 1988, we dedicated to our Lordıs use a new Learning Resource Center, which today includes our computer lab, a science laboratory, and new entrances to the school and church.
Windows mark our 75th year
We celebrated 75 years as a congregation on June 10, 1984, and by December of that year, dedicated beautiful new stained glass windows in the sanctuary, nursery, and sacristy. In symbol and color, the windows tell the stories of the great festivals of the church year. They add great beauty to our sanctuary and enrich our worship experience.
Our congregation
The members of St. Andrews traditionally are "hands-on" in the work of the Lord. We serve the church in elected positions. We worship with joyful song and instrumental music. We teach our children in day school and Sunday school. We study God's word together. We share our gifts, prayers, and fellowship with our sister congregation at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Chicago. We make quilts for world relief, offer human care for the needy in our community, serve one another as Stephen Ministers, and do so much more.
Our "one-of-a-kind" ecclesiastical needlepoint communion kneelers represent one of countless examples of people working together over the years to the glory of God. The kneelers were dedicated on Pentecost in 1994 after six years of extensive planning and painstaking sewing by a committed and faithful group of stitchers. The cushions extend 28 feet across the sacristy. Their original designs, beginning with Alpha and ending with Omega, are based on the symbols in our stained glass windows and progress from the Old Testament to the major events in Christıs life to the sacraments.
Our mission
Our mission is to provide a visible framework for the work of the Holy Spirit to seek, nourish, and renew disciples of Christ.
We cherish our members of many years, among them families who have raised generations in our midst. We rejoice as God calls new members to us and delight in the ways they enrich our fellowship. Countless of the faithful have found a church home here. Thousands of children have learned within these walls of the safety and peace of God's boundless love.
St. Andrews continues to bring our mission to life every day, every year, letting the light of Godıs love, in Jesus, shine through us to the world, being people through whom the Holy Spirit can lead many to faith in Christ. | 
