History

1936: A small group of Christians began holding Tuesday night prayer meetings in the home of Aaron and Bertha Culver.



1939: With the help of Dr. E.O. Chalfant, the Church first met on the corner of Alma Avenue and Station Street on November 19, 1939, with 17 charter members. This is the same day a fire destroyed the main building of Olivet College in Olivet, Illinois and the campus moved to Bourbonnais.



1947: Growth was so rapid a new Church was built on the corner of Oak Street and Wildwood Avenue.



1959: Since growth still continued, new land was purchased on Entrance Avenue at an auction. The Church then sold all but seven acres to a Chicago real estate developer for the same amount it was purchased for.



1962: The new building is completed and is dedicated.



1969: Another morning service is added to relieve overcrowding in services.



1973: Remodeling is done to add space to the sanctuary.



1991: The new Sunday School morning schedule is started, with two morning worship services and two Sunday School sessions.



Presently: Children's Ministry continues to grow, along with Youth and other Ministry Teams. First Church has shown that we are committed to Jesus Christ by seeking the heart of God, sharing the love of God, strengthening the family of God, and serving as the hands of God.



Below are the men whom God called to lead this congregation throughout the past 60 years:



Sam McKay 1939 - 40

Dale Moore 1940 - 42

Floyd Hagley 1942 - 45

J.J. Gough 1946

Ernest Rice 1946 - 48

Sylvester Smith 1948 - 56

Bennett Dudney 1956 - 59

Jerald Locke 1959 - 64

Jack H. Lee 1964 - 69

William Varian 1969 - 74

John Hancock 1974 - 81

Jack Stone 1981 - 87

Ronald Doolittle 1987 - 98

Ron McCormick 1998 - 2000

Edward Heck 2000 - present