In the later part of 1929, a number of Lutheran families had moved into the Rantoul community. They felt the need for a Lutheran Church to be established in Rantoul: a Lutheran Church where English was spoken.

The dream of what is now American Lutheran church began with four men: Henry Sjoken, Fred Kapmann, William Lohmiller and Everett Bergman. On February 23, 1930, a group of Lutheran families from and around Rantoul gathered in the local Methodist church for worship. Worship was in the afternoon, led by Pastor Hafermann who came from Danforth to lead this group. On March 2, 1930, the group met for worship again and following this service Pastor Hafermann encouraged them to develop some form of organization to purchase property. That day, the following families signed their names in the agreement to form a congregation and proceed; Henry Sjoken, Fred Kopmann, Everett Bergman, Frank Bartell Jr., H.C. Zander, John Baermann, Pete Busboom, Joe Goldstein, John Helen, and William Lohmiller. (At this writing, March of 2005, Henry Sjokens daughters, Louise Stonestreet and Emma Baermann; Frank Bartell Jr.s daughter, Marjorie Johnson; and John Bergmans daughter, Velma Wolken are currently members of this congregation.) The following officers were elected: Henry Sjoken, chairman, Bill Lohmiller and Everett Bergman as trustees and Fred Kopmann as secretary-treasurer. These men solicited a pledge sheet for the purpose of purchasing property and this pledge sheet was circulated among businessmen of Rantoul and other interested parties. The result of this campaign showed that $3,250.00 would be available for the purchase of property and the establishing of a Lutheran congregation. Negotiations were immediately begun. The first church was purchased from the disbanded Congregational group at the corner of East Belle ad Chandler Streets (now Route 45). That building was the first church built in Rantoul in 1867. The property was purchased for $3,500.00. From March 16, 1930, and on, services were held each Sunday in this newly acquired property. When available, Pastor Hafermann drove from Danforth for services in the afternoon. At other times Chaplain Moehlman, then stationed a Chanute was in charge of services. German and English services were held alternately. It was not until October of 1930 that the decision was made to call a full time resident pastor.

A call was extended to Reverend Lambertus from Wisconsin. He preached his first sermon as pastor for the congregation on November 16, 1930. Pastor Lambertus introduced the full service in English, the Klingelbeute was replaced by offering baskets, the individual communing system was introduced, a pledge system with weekly envelopes was started for financial support, a Sunday School was organized, and confirmation instruction began.

The seed for a Lutheran congregation in Rantoul was planted and beginning to take root, but trying times were ahead. It was difficult for the group to support and retain a pastor. Up until this time, this new church had survived without aid or mission status from the Synod. Pastor Lambertus advised the group to affiliate themselves with a synod and receive home mission support. He referred them to the American Lutheran Church. In October of 1931, Pastor Lambertus accepted a call to Ohio. October 15, 1931, the Reverend Doermann, President of the Illinois District of the American Lutheran church and the Reverend Altpeter, Secretary of the Illinois Home Mission Board, arrived in Rantoul. They immediately advised the Rantoul group to join the synod and apply for help from the mission board. At that time a resolution was passed which united the Rantoul congregation with the synod and an application was made for a $2,000.00 loan from the Parsonage Fund for the financing of the unpaid portion on the property and also to cover the cost of improving the property. Aid from the Home Mission Board to the extent of $680.00 per year was also applied for. In the same meeting a call was extended to the Reverend Alfred Rausch who preached his first sermon November 15, 1931. Expansion was difficult due to the depression. In May of 1935, Pastor Rausch accepted another call. On June 16, 1935, a call was extended to Pastor Elmer Nelson who had just finished his seminary work. He preached his first sermon in Rantoul on July 21, 1935.

Under the leadership of Pastor Nelson, a steady growth was seen in all departments and phases of the churches work. While the Lutherans rearranged the interior and painted the exterior at the time of the purchase, no major improvements were made until the summer of 1936. The basement ceiling and walls were covered with plasterboard to make a place for Sunday School, a stem heating plant was installed and a new roof was put on the parsonage. In the fall of 1938, a Hammond Electric Organ was purchased through the help of the Luther League. On January 1, 1940, the congregation became self-supporting and they could start a building program free of debt. The building was too small for the growth that had taken place. The Auditorium and chancel were enlarged. Pastors study, a choir room, and a mothers room were added. In the basement, there was an assemble hall, a kitchen, six individual classrooms, and complete toilet facilities. This was dedicated September 17, 1940.