St. John Lutheran Church celebrated its sesquicentennial in 2009, which means it formed long before the City of Darien. It's common for as many as three generations of a family to attend the services, which Pastor Doug Swanson says gives the church a strong family feel. The church offers Bible studies, confirmation classes and a variety of small groups. Parishioners do service projects with the homeless and a local food pantry, as well as mission trips to the Gulf Coast region and locations in Central America. Comfort dog Shami, a gentle Golden Retriever, goes to hospitals, nursing homes and other places where people need some extra care.