Background: Reformation Evangelical Lutheran Church is located in the Roseland community on the South Side of Chicago. The church was organized on December 2, 1885, as the Elim Lutheran Church and met the need of Swedish residents working at the Pullman Palace Car Works in and around the area then called High Prairie. In January 1887, George Pullman made a gift of two lots to the congregation at the corner of 113th and Calumet Avenue, in what later became Palmer Park and in 1903 the church moved to make way for the park. Reformation Evangelical Lutheran Church grew from the merger of Elim Lutheran Church with the People’s United Lutheran Church on February 15, 1972. As the demographics of Roseland changed over the years so has the membership of Reformation with African Americans now comprising 96 percent of congregants.

Our Community: Roseland’s history mirrors that of countless neighborhoods in urban America. It was predominantly white and middle class until a downturn in the steel industry sent residents fleeing to the suburbs. Roseland was the first permanent settlement in the Calumet region established in the early 1840s by a small colony of Dutch immigrants who came to the area looking for a better way of life. The area prospered as a farm community until 1880, when George Pullman moved his company and employees nearby and founded the Town of Pullman. This growth culminated in the annexation of the region to the City of Chicago in 1889. Many farmers sold their holdings for large profits, and the land was then subdivided and laid out in lots for businesses, churches, residences and schools. According to the census burro population is 50,468, and population Density (People Per Square Mile) is 10,403. The community is 82% African American. The foreclosure rate is higher than the city average, which threatens homeownership gains. Visible redevelopment is increasing.

Current: Reformation Evangelical Lutheran Church with a membership of 280 is a church that cares about others. Our ministries are focused on reaching out to the community, as well as taking care of its members. We have an inspirational Worship Service on Sundays at 11:00 a.m., (Fellowship time follows the service). The adult and youth Bible study meet on Sundays at 10:15 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. We have an After School Program on Monday through Friday at 3:30 p.m. through 6:30 p.m. The Senior Chat meets on every third Wednesday of the month at 11:00 a.m. The computer lab is open for members of the church twice a week and once a week for the community. Every year we organize a Vacation Bible School for Youth Group ages 11-19, and an average of 30 youth participate. Women of the Church (WELCA) meet every fourth Saturday of the month at 11:00 a.m. Summer Lunch program feeds about 50 kids on daily basis. Parish Nurse Ministry gives free vaccinations; blood screening and high blood pressure monitoring every two months. The Chicago Swahili worship service meets once a month and the average attendance is 45.