Zion Lutheran church was established in 1837 and 3
years later opened its first school. On January 14,
1849, a group of 20 men from the Zion congregation
who lived in the Addison area signed a document
organizing a society for the purpose of operating an
English and German Lutheran school that was to be
called the West District. They purchased 40 acres of
land for $235. The amount was prorated among the
members and each was given equity in the property.
Later the name changed to St. Paul. The purpose of
the parish school in 1849 was to preserve the
spiritual values of life for future generations.
In
October of 1851, the parish divided into six large
parish's (listed below). These parish's marked the
beginning of mission activities that moved out into
the following communities: Proviso, York Center,
Elmhurst, Itasca, Bloomingdale, Bensenville, and Elk
Grove.
- Western
District (Home): Organized in January, 1849.
Became St. Paul Lutheran School, Addison
-
Eastern School District: Organized in
May, 1852. Closed 1916.
-
Southern School District: Organized in
October, 1852. Became Proviso. Now
Immanuel Lutheran Hillside
-
Northern School District: Organized in
November, 1855.
- Town
of Bloomingdale District: Organized in
July, 1880.
