Lydia's EFCA Roots

In 1913, the women of the Ladies Aid Society of Salem Evangelical Free Church in Chicago took on a new project to mend and sew clothing for needy children in local orphanages. Salem was part of the Norwegian Free Church association and its pastor, Dr. C.T. Dyrness, had a great heart of compassion for the needy children in their area of the city. By 1917, because the sheer numbers of orphans exceeded the capacity of the local facilities, the Lydia Children’s Home Association was founded.

Soon, the house was too small for the growing numbers of children in need. By 1920, the group was able to purchase and remodel a former country club where the home remains today, still serving needy children and families. 

Though now run by an independent board, it remains affiliated with the Great Lakes District, while working with many other churches. In recent years, the ministry has grown with affiliates in France and Romania, as well as with “Safe Homes for Children” in over 100 cities across the U.S., providing temporary care in Christian families for children whose parents are unable to care for them for a time. Lydia also has a pre-school and a counseling center along with other ministries.

Lydia is another example of the outreach of compassion shown by our EFCA churches, a ministry now expanded far beyond just the EFCA.