Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Willow Springs, IL
Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Willow Springs, IL, Lutheran Church, 212 S Nolton Avenue, Willow Springs, IL.
Located on a hill, surrounded by the forest, nestled in a small community near a metropolis, we celebrate God's Gifts given to us, His people, in Word and Sacrament.
02/13/2026
Lenten Worship Schedule 2026
Our Lenten services this year will focus on the PLACES in the Passion of our Lord, and what Christ did for us in those places. Rev. Walter Otten will be our guest Preacher.
Ash Wednesday - February 18, 3:30pm | Gethsemane
Lenten Vespers - February 25, 3:30pm | Palace of Caiaphas
Lenten Vespers - March 4, 3:30pm (Zion, Lyons) | Courtyard of the High Priest
Lenten Vespers - March 11, 3:30pm | Pilate’s Judgement Hall
Lenten Vespers - March 18, 3:30pm (Zion, Lyons) | Via Dolorosa
Lenten Vespers - March 25, 3:30pm | Calvary
Palm Sunday - March 29, 9:00am
Maundy Thursday - April 2, 3:00pm | At the Supper
Good Friday - April 3, 3:00pm | At the Tomb
The Resurrection of Our Lord - April 5, 9:00am | At the Empty Tomb
12/18/2025
Join us for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Worship
Christmas Eve - 3:00pm Grace, 5:00pm Zion
Christmas Day - 9:00am Grace, 11:00am Zion
11/28/2025
2025 Midweek Advent Series: Christmas In a World that Sings Its Own Carols
The themes for each week are:
Week 1 (December 3rd) Hark, the Herald Ad-men Sing (James 1:16–18)
Week 2 (December 10th) Eat, Drink, Be Merry, One and All! (Philippians 3:17–21)
Week 3 (December 17th) O Little Town of Worn Out Men Philippians 4:6–7)
Please plan to attend all three weeks of these services. By doing so, your enjoyment and appreciation of Christmas will be all the more complete!
The services on December 3rd & 17th will be held at Grace. The second week’s service, on December 10th, will be held at Zion. All services will begin at 3:30pm.
10/07/2024
Join us on October 19th for our Craft Fair! Details below
09/05/2024
Don’t forget the rummage sale is this weekend! Friday Sept. 6th 9:00-4:00 and Saturday Sept. 7th 8:00-3:00! Stop by for some great deals.
03/31/2024
03/30/2024
03/29/2024
10/09/2023
Grace Lutheran Church Annual Craft Fair
Saturday October 21, 2023 9:00am - 3:00pm
Willow Spring Community Center
8156 Archer Ave Willow Springs
Bring your friends and family to make this event a big success.
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Contact The Place Of Worship
Send a message to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Willow Springs, IL:
Over 90 years have passed since the Reverend A.J. Lange, Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Summit decided that a Lutheran church was needed in the Village of Willow Springs. After holding services temporarily in a private home and in the Willow Springs Public School, “the little white church on the hill,” a 24x40 foot white frame structure was erected on the corner of Nolton and Cedar Streets at a cost of $1,713.50, and was dedicated on December 16, 1928. Pastor Lange, assisted by several students and candidates for the holy ministry, conducted services until 1940 when the Pastor of Trinity, German Church Road, was asked to service both Trinity and Grace congregations. Pastors William L. Bartling, A.L. Oltroge, John H. Bohlman, and Stephen G. Mazak, Jr. each serviced under this dual parish arrangement.
As the years passed and the congregation grew, it became evident in 1961 that a full-time pastor and a new church building would have to be considered to meed the congregation’s needs. The new structure, as you see it today, was completed and dedicated on March 31, 1963. Simple in design, the sanctuary imparts a feeling of peace and tranquility. The laminated beams of the wood decked roof soar towards the heavens, but one’s eyes are drawn almost immediately to the life-sized chancel crucifix, a copy of one of the famous crucifixes of Oberammergau, Germany; hand carved by the well-known woodcarver, John O. Torrell of Palatine, Illinois.
Rev. Walter C. Kalbhen served as the first resident pastor from 1961-1965. Rev. David R. Krampitz came to Grace in 1966 and faithfully served the congregation for 35 years. Upon his retirement in 2001 he was appointed Pastor Emeritus by the Voters Assembly. Rev. Gary R. Schmidtke served as Pastor of Grace from 2001 until his retirement in June 2008. Rev. William J. Orr, who came to Grace in January 2009 and faithfully served until November 2016, when he accepted a call from Salem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville, IL. In December of 2017, Rev. Mark W. Duer accepted our call and was installed in January of 2018.
From “the little white church on the hill” to the present day structure, Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church has served the community well; and with the Grace of God we will continue its mission for many years to come.
