Origins & History

Dec 3, 1818

Illinois becomes the 21st state to enter the Union

1830 – 1838

Following the Indian Removal Act of 1830, Potowatami, Ojbibwe, Odawa & other Indian tribes are forced out of Illinois.

Mar 4, 1837

The city of Chicago is incorporated.

Feb 20, 1838

Mechanics Grove Presbyterian Church is organized by 16 pioneers under the guidance of Reverend Doctor John Blatchford at the home of Mrs. Mercy Payne.

Apr 20, 1840

Mechanics Grove church secedes from the Presbytery and joins the Elgin Congregational Association.

Spring 1845

Church members begin to "raise a church" in Vardin's Grove (Libertyville) but sell the building within 18 months (the building later became the village hall).

Aug 23, 1845

The members of the Congregational Church of Libertyville unanimously approve its first Resolution Against Slavery; slaveholding ministers and members are prohibited.

1849

Members of Congregational Church begin meeting at the Mechanics Grove schoolhouse (NW corner of Route 176 and Midlothian Road).

Nov 25, 1852

Ladies Sewing Society for Benevolent Enterprise and Social Feeling is formed with 11 ladies present.

Dec 10, 1856

The new church building is dedicated in its permanent location at Dean's Corners on land donated by Mr. and Mrs. Ed Dean.

Apr 12, 1861

The Civil War Begins.

Apr 9, 1865

Robert E. Lee surrenders the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox courthouse, essentially ending the Civil War.

Spring 1865

The Joice Family (James, wife Jenna, son Asa, and daughter Sarah), former slaves, are brought to Ivanhoe by First Lieutenant Addison Partridge following the Civil War.

Oct 8, 1871

The Great Chicago Fire kills 300.

May 4, 1886

A labor rally at Chicago’s Haymarket Square protesting the killing and wounding of several workers by Chicago police sparks a riot and bombing that kills at least 8 and wounds many more.

Feb 20, 1888

The Semi-centennial Anniversary is held at the Fremont Congregational Church.

Apr 2, 1889

Asa Joice, the first African American elected to public office in Lake County, is elected Town Constable and serves for 9 years

Jun 11, 1890

The Young Peoples' Christian Endeavor Society is organized at Ivanhoe church.

1896

Gas lines are installed by the Christian Endeavor group for kerosene lighting in the Sanctuary.

Jun, 1897

Asa Joice, son of freedman James Joice, is elected local Christian Endeavor Society president.

1914

Christian Endeavor members raise money for the excavation of the church basement raising the church foundation for the Kitchen and Fellowship Hall.

1915

The stained-glass Bethlehem Window is installed in place of rear Sanctuary window - donated by the H D Wells family.

1915

Horse sheds are constructed behind the church on the north side of the property.

1916

Women's Society raises funds for the church, pastor's salary and for the World Missionary Society, hosts large turkey dinners at Woodman Hall in Ivanhoe.

Apr 6, 1917

The United States enters World War I.

1917

Rev E. A. Carnes goes to Great Lakes Naval Station and later becomes Chaplain for soldiers in France.

Jun 1918 – Dec 1920

The 'Spanish Flu' pandemic strikes mostly healthy young adults and ultimately kills at least 3% of the world's population.

1920

Jenna Scruggs Joice, widow of James Joice, dies after becoming ill while tending to influenza patients. She likely contracted the flu from her close proximity to the sick.

1921

Rev C E Wolsted is ordained at Ivanhoe Church - serves as Ivanhoe pastor for 2 years and then travels to India as a missionary.

1923

Rev C Arthur Jevne becomes the 35th Pastor of Ivanhoe church - he is the first of only 4 pastors to lead the church over the next 100 years.

1929 – 1939

The Great Depression creates global economic turmoil.

1938

Ivanhoe Congregational Church celebrates its first 100 years.

Dec 1941 – Sep 1945

The United States enters World War II - church attendance plummets as men are sent overseas and families are relocated.

1946 – 1949

A small group of families sustain Ivanhoe church.

1950 – 1951

Reverend Delbert Schrag is sent by the Illinois Conference office to evaluate whether to close the church but instead leads the church into a period of revival.

1952

The Ivanhoe Women's Guild is founded.

1952

The Good News Singers are founded.

1953

The Parsonage for the pastor and family is completed.

1956 – 1957

Fundraisers are held to build an educational wing at the church.

1957

The new Ivanhoe Church educational wing is dedicated.

Jun 25, 1957

The United Church of Christ is formed by the merger of the Congregational Christian Church and the Evangelical and Reformed Church.

1960’s

Ivanhoe church becomes involved in the civil rights movement and in the March to Washington.

1964 – 1973

The United States becomes involved in the Vietnam War - Vietnam war vets are welcomed back home by Ivanhoe member dinners and celebrations.

Sep 19, 1971

Reverend Del Schrag decides to leave Ivanhoe Church to become the United Church of Christ Conference Minister for the state of Illinois.

Apr 15, 1972

Reverend M. Wayne Nowack becomes the new minister of Ivanhoe church.

1973

Ivanhoe Church celebrates its 135th Anniversary.

1988

Ivanhoe Church celebrates its Sesquicentennial.

2000 – 2001

The Ivanhoe parsonage is converted to a pre-school and becomes shared space for Mundelein Cooperative Pre-School. Minister & family are provided housing allowance in lieu of parsonage.

2001 – 2002

The Sanctuary is completely remodeled ("Faith Lift"), and a handicap-accessible lift is installed between Fellowship Hall and the main floor.

Sep 11, 2001

Al-Qaeda Terrorists attack the U.S.

Oct 2, 2005

Reverend Kris Hewitt becomes the newest pastor of Ivanhoe Church.

Dec 10, 2006

Ivanhoe Congregational Church celebrates its Building Sesquicentennial 1856 – 2006.

Feb 24, 2013

Ivanhoe Church celebrates its 175^th Anniversary

2021 – 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic forces remote worship and Zoom gatherings for a time but also spurs opportunity to expand online worship and outreach.