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Westchester Community Church - United Church of Christ
1840 Westchester Boulevard
Westchester, Illinois 60154
(708) 865-1282
Reverend Joseph Mills, III, Pastor
Reverend Lori Keller, Associate Pastor

The origin of The Westchester Community Church differs from that of most churches as it was organized by residents, rather than by a denominational expansion program. On February 24, 1949, in response to an invitation by Mrs. Charles N. Field, 22 women of numerous denominations attended a meeting to form a fellowship of church women. They voted to organize as an Auxiliary of the Women's Association of the First Congregational Church of LaGrange, Illinois. At this first meeting, they voiced the "vision of a community church".  At that time Westchester's population was about 3,000 and there were no liberal church in the Village. By June 1949, the 70 members of the Auxiliary were promoting the organization of a community church.

In August 1949, the Auxiliary held a picnic in a nearby Forest Preserve and voted to establish "The Westchester Community Church". An eight person committee was appointed to draft the constitution and to handle the organizational details. On October 3, 1949, a meeting was held to adopt the constitution and to elect the first officers and board members. The 55 residents present voted to apply for membership in the Chicago Association of the Congregational Christian Church.

On November 13, 1949, the first worship service was held in the gymnasium of the George Nixon School (Westchester Middle School) attended by 135 adults, while 90 children met simultaneously for Sunday school in the corridors. This service was led by Dr. Arthur C. McGiffert, President of the Chicago Theological Seminary. By January 29, 1950, Dr. McGiffert had received the 163 Charter Members. Orientation meetings were held in Westchester by Dr. Thomas L. Crosby, Pastor of the First Congregational Church of LaGrange, Illinois.

December 25, 1949 fell on a Sunday. It was a memorable Service! In celebrating the birth of Jesus, the infant church was celebrating its own birth. Dr. McGiffert kindled the vision of building a House of Worship and of being of service to the community. The sacrament of baptism was given to sixteen children. The congregation sang from the new hymnals and the choir appeared for the first time in robes that had been donated.

At the first special congregational meeting on November 5, 1950, the Trustees were authorized to purchase eight vacant lots at the corner of Westchester Boulevard and Bond Street for $17,600. After two building fund drives and negotiations with national, state and Chicago area denomination expansion agencies, the anticipated Ground Breaking Service was held on August 1, 1954.

The outstanding support of the Women's Society and dedication of members have made possible our beautiful sanctuary and complete facilities. Shortly after the celebration of our 34th Anniversary on November 13, 1983, the church was free of debt. The total estimated value of the church property is about $2,500,000 made up of:

• site $275,000

• building $1,725,000

• furnishings $150,000

Compare this to "the vision of a community church" and the collection of $112.71 at the initial service on November 13, 1949 at the Nixon School.

The first worship was held in the church "shell" on September 4, 1955 by the Reverend Charles L. Burns.

In May 1961, the congregation voted to ratify and accept the constitute of the newly formed United Church of Christ - a merger of the Congregational/Christian and the Evangelical and Reformed denominations.

The original mortgages were retired by April 2, 1967 when Reverend Richard Ingle conducted the Ground Breaking Service for the Educational Wing. The real highlight of our history w a when he also conducted the Dedication Of the completed church and wing on May 19, 1968.

In its first thirty-four years seven settled pastors and four assistants have lead the congregation as it has attempted to be faithful to the heart of its Covenant: ". . . to worship God . . . and to love our neighbors as ourselves."

The sixth pastor, the Reverend Calvin C. H. Bremer, retired from the ministry after eleven and one half years and was elected Pastor Emeritus. The Reverend Walter I Thyng, called February 1, 1983, has been given the task of passing the "vision" of the Nixon School worshippers on to a new generation. The whole congregation, especially the 19 charter members still active in the church, look forward to the fortieth Anniversary in 1989 as a celebration of that event.

The Covenant of the Westchester Community Church, United Church of Christ:

Sunday Service:    10 AM
Sunday School (pre-school through eight grade):    10 AM
Nursery Provided

For a more detailed history of the first twenty-five years of the Church, read The First Twenty-five Years

Source material included:

Articles by Charles N. Field from two Westchester Community Church publications

Last Modified:  04/10/2003