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ABOUT US

Welcome to First United Congregational Church of Christ.

 We're glad you found us. We welcome everyone!

ABOUT THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

We extend a special welcome to those who are single, married, divorced, gay, filthy rich, poor as church mice, y no habla Ingles.

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We extend a special welcome to those who are new-born,  poor as dirt, skinny as a rail or need to lose a few; those who sing like angels or can't carry a tune in a bucket. You're welcome here if you're "just browsing," just woke up, or just got out of jail; if you are overdressed, underdressed or cross dressed. We don't care if you're more religious than Billy Graham or haven't been in church since little Joey’s baptism.

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We extend a special welcome to those who are over 40 but not grown up yet, and to teenagers who are growing up too fast. We welcome soccer moms, NASCAR dads, starving artists, tree-huggers, latte-sippers, vegetarians, junk-food eaters, and people who stay up too late at night.  We welcome those who are in recovery or still addicted.  If you're having problems, or you're down in the dumps, or you don't like "organized religion," we've been there too. If you blew all your offering money at Lucy’s Place, you're welcome here.

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We offer a special welcome to those who think the earth is flat, work too hard, can't spell, or came because grandma's in town and wanted to go to church. We offer a special welcome to those who could use a prayer right now,  are three-times divorced, had religion shoved down your throat as a kid, or got lost in traffic and wound up here by mistake. We welcome tourists, seekers, doubters, bleeding hearts ... and you!

Welcome Home!

OUR HISTORY

On April 20,1868, the congregation decided to “build a house of worship.”  By December 10, 1868, the first church was complete at the corner of 5th and Edwards streets and in February of 1887, the Parish House was dedicated. On November 12, 1956, the church was destroyed by fire and during the rebuilding effort, the Temple B’Rith Sholom offered to let First Congregational hold its services at the Temple.  A new church was built at the corner of Bates and Cherry Road and the first service was held there on November 23, 1958 and it was dedicated on January 25, 1959. First Congregational voted to become part of the United Church of Christ on April 12, 1961.  

ABOUT THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

We are a people of faith in covenant with one another to:

  • Witness to the deeds and wonders of God and the good news of Jesus Christ through word and actions.

  • Strengthen local churches in the worship of God, the ministry of Christ and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

  • Celebrate and respect one another and discover our common identity in the richness of our diversity

  • Confront injustice and promote justice.

  • Invite all people to become disciples of Jesus the Christ

  • Engage in missions

  • Develop new churches

THE ILLINOIS CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

How the Illinois conference is changing lives:

  • Being a convenant community, building trust and strengthening diversity

  • Growing our spiritual and relational vitality in response to our Stillspeaking God

  • Helping congregations to find new pastoral leadership

  • Supporting the youth initiative for youth and young adult ministries

  • Doing new church development and renewing existing congregations.

  • Aiding in resolving church conflict

  • Collaborating as mission partners with organizations and local churches

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