The area in and around Buckley, now graced with beautiful and well-kept farms, was a desolate piece of ground when the founders of our congregation first came here to make their living. Many of them came from Cook and DuPage Counties in northern Illinois. They were devout people. In spite of all the pioneer problems which they were compelled to face and solve, they did not neglect the welfare of their souls. They made provision for the preaching of the Word of God and the administration of the sacraments in their midst.
The first pastor who served them was the Rev. Julius Schumm; he was the pastor of a congregation in Champaign, Illinois, which was affiliated with the United Evangelical Synod of the Northwest. He made his first visit in February, 1869, to baptize several children and to solemnize a marriage. Divine services were conducted in the homes of the people.
A Prof. Kenchen, of Elmhurst, Illinois, assisted the Rev. Schumm in conducting the services.

The desire for organization became audible in the months that followed and was finally realized in a meeting held on April 29, 1870. A constitution was adopted and the congregation affiliated itself with the United Synod of the Northwest. The charter members, signing the constitution, were the following: Fred Luhrsen, Fred Weber, F. Sandhagen, H. Lah, H. Volberding, John Schaefer, Henry Sprengel, Louis Lustfeld, William Poppe, Henry Krumwiede, Fred Engehausen,
[John] Henry Hartke, C. Wilkens, F. Rathe, W. Ahlden, L. Niemann, G. Jaster, August Gau, Carl Schuofft,
[John] Henry Hartke Jr., H. Waldschmidt.
A house of worship was erected at a cost of $1,800. It stood just in front of the present school building. This first church was dedicated on October 31, 1871. It was a small church but adequate for the needs of the congregation. On November 13, 1871, the congregation extended its first call to the Rev. R. Menk. He accepted the call, but his stay was very brief. During the vacancy, a Rev. Boeber of Kankakee served the congregation.

Constitution Adopted

Like the noble Bereans of old, the members of the congregation "searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so." They wanted the Word of God proclaimed in all its truth and purity. For this reason, the desire for Lutheran Services and Lutheran administration of the holy sacraments became pronounced. Since the doctrines and practices of the United Evangelical Synod of the Northwest did not conform with the convictions of the members of the congregation, a meeting was conducted on April 5, 1873, in which it was resolved to sever relationships with that Synod. The Rev. S. Suess of Melvin was asked to serve the congregation.