Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Illinois dates back to the First World War. Grace Lutheran Church provided pastoral services to University students, from the church and, later, from various sites near the campus.

Years ago, on Christmas Eve, 1946, the property on Wright Street at the corner of Chalmers was purchased. The residence there (pictured above) served as a ministry center for about a decade. In 1956 it was replaced by the present building, designed by Rettberg Architects of Champaign. From that time on, regular worship service were held at the Center.

Under the joint affiliation with both ALC and LCA (church bodies which formed the ELCA in 1987), the worshipping community was organized as Saint Andrew's Lutheran Church in 1978. In 2003 the campus ministry community celebrated its 25th anniversary as an organized congregation.