Saint James Lutheran Church of Chicago was founded in 1946 as a mission church by Saron Lutheran Church of Chicago (located in Logan Square and disbanded in 1979). St. James officially organized on May 25, 1947 with 112 baptized members. Sunday worship was held at Oriole Park School until 1951 when the congregation began using their own facility on Foster Avenue. An activity center (gym with stage) with classrooms and fellowship hall located in the basement were added in 1956 which provided much needed additional space for Sunday School and youth activities. In 1962, in order to accommodate a growing number of members, the worship space (Nave and Sanctuary) were expanded.
The worship life at St. James has always been a primary part of the mission and ministry. Initially using the “Hymnal and Order of Service” of the Augustana Synod, the “Service Book and Hymnal” of the Lutheran Church in America, the “Lutheran Book of Worship” and “With One Voice” of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, St. James currently uses the “Evangelical Lutheran Worship” as the primary worship resource. The congregation has a twelve rank Casavant Frere’s pipe organ (installed in 1974) that is used to lead the hymns and service music.
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