The seeds of River of Life Lutheran Church were planted back in 1998 when members from a number of LCMS congregations began meeting together in Channahon, IL, a growing community just west of Joliet. Not long afterward, the Northern Illinois District called Rev. James King to serve our as-yet unnamed mission congregation.​

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After several years of shepherding our congregation, Rev. King accepted a call out of state, and River of Life was served by Revs. Nathan Lewis and Clarence Mankin, as well as vacancy pastors Revs. Daniel Ognoski and Jacob Ehrhard, before Rev. Fiene was installed in December of 2010. Rev. Fiene served River of Life until May of 2020.

 

Throughout the years, our congregation has held worship services in numerous locations--school buildings, a local funeral home, and Channahon's former municipal building. But it was always our prayer to build a house for the Lord, a permanent location where we could gather around the same Word and Sacraments that brought us forgiveness, life, and salvation during our transient years. Several years ago, that prayer was answered as God blessed our congregation to purchase an existing church building in Channahon, on the corner of Ridge Rd and S Sage St.

 

On May 4, 2014, we held our first service in our new building. We continue to pray that God will grant us many years to feast on His righteousness in our new home.​

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If you have any questions about our congregation, our church body, or anything else, please don't hesitate to contact us.

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For more information about the Lutheran Church beyond our congregation, click here.