Redevelopment plans in the works for Crystal Lake's Immanuel Lutheran Church

An agreement is in the works to sell the historic Immanuel Lutheran Church at 178 McHenry Ave. for residential redevelopment, the Rev. Larry Tieman said.

Tieman said it is sad that the church, which was built in 1895, no longer will be in operation on McHenry Avenue, but the congregation will remain as an integral part of the community.

“A church is not a building,” Tieman said. “It’s people that live in and serve the community.”

About 10 years ago, Immanuel Lutheran built a school campus at 300 Pathway Court, behind Crystal Lake’s Jewel-Osco and Hobby Lobby.

Although Immanuel Lutheran School currently operates on the 64-acre site, Tieman said there still are plans to build a new church at Pathway Court to complete the institution’s vision, which is to create a central hub in Crystal Lake that will appeal to the spiritual, educational and recreational needs of families in the community.

If a final agreement is reached on the contract, Tieman said, he is planning for the McHenry Avenue church to be in service through the end of the year.

Tieman said Christmas Eve services still will take place at the church this year, and he hopes to hold a service once the building is decommissioned as a way to celebrate all the blessings the historic structure has provided.

“Certainly, it’s a building with a lot of great memories,” Tieman said.

Although the historic site might be converted into a residential facility, Tieman said, the developer assured him that the facade of the church would be maintained in some way.

Tieman said he is unsure when the project would go before Crystal Lake’s Planning and Zoning Commission if an agreement is reached.