The history of churches in West Chicago weaves together a story of community, growth, and faith. From the early days of community members gathering in homes and schoolhouses to today’s diverse congregations, these faith communities have played a central role in shaping the town’s spiritual and social fabric.
A Greetings from West Chicago, Ill postcard featuring a number of churches in town, c1925
Early Churches: Faith on the Frontier
In the mid-19th century, as West Chicago grew around the railroad, faith communities sprang up to provide a sense of stability and belonging. Early congregations often met in modest settings, reflecting the pioneering spirit of the time.
The Methodist Society first gathered at Charles Gary’s home in the Gary’s Mill settlement, later using homes and schoolhouses as their numbers grew.
The Congregational Church and Society of Turner, organized in 1856, also began in shared spaces before building their first church in 1868.
The Congregational Church as it stood on E. Washington Street, c 1950
For settlers facing the challenges of building a new life, churches served as much more than places of worship—they were centers for connection, offering social support and spiritual grounding in a rapidly changing town.
Building for the Future
As congregations grew, they began constructing churches that would become enduring landmarks in West Chicago.
The first Methodist Church built on the ground where Glen Arbor Church stands today.
The First United Methodist Church built its first structure in Turner in 1858, evolving over the years into a distinctive building with a tower and bell chimes. This church is now the home of Glen Arbor Church.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church traces its roots back to 1853, eventually building a Gothic-style church in 1868 on land donated by Dr. and Mrs. Joseph McConnell. A new brick church, constructed in 1894, remains a focal point for the parish today, alongside the recently constructed more modern new church.
St. Michael’s United Church of Christ, established in 1867, initially shared space with the Methodist church before building their own frame church in 1870. Its iconic spire, added in 1890, became a recognizable part of the town’s Old Heidelberg, German immigrant, neighborhood.
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church began in homes and shared spaces, completing their first frame church in 1889. A larger brick structure replaced it in 1924, reflecting the congregation’s growth.
Trinity Lutheran’s first church building
These early buildings stood as symbols of faith and perseverance, marking the town’s transformation from a frontier settlement into a thriving community.
Growth and Diversity
As West Chicago expanded, so did its religious landscape. New congregations formed, reflecting the town’s changing demographics.
The West Chicago Bible Church grew from a Sunday School established in 1933, eventually constructing its building between 1951 and 1959.
The West Chicago Church of Christ, formed in 1953, initially met in the Masonic Hall on W. Washington Street before building their church in 1956.
Other denominations, including the First Baptist Church, St. Andrew Lutheran, and Faith Community Church, arrived in the latter half of the 20th century, adding to the town’s growing diversity.
In 1981, the establishment of the Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist Temple highlighted the increasing presence of non-Christian faiths in West Chicago, reflecting broader cultural shifts.
This diversity enriched the community, creating a vibrant tapestry of spiritual traditions and practices.
Churches as Community Anchors
West Chicago’s churches have always been more than places of worship—they have been pillars of community life.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church built its first parochial school in 1922, later expanding with a new building in 1955. In the 1970s the church also took on a new mission to serve West Chicago’s growing Spanish-speaking immigrants.
St. Michael’s United Church of Christ operated a Sunday School, through the mid-1940s in both German and English, and The Gingerbread House day care center in its educational building. The educational building is now home to District 33’s Birth to Three program.
Trinity Lutheran Church for many years supported a Christian Day School, furthering its mission of education and service. Later it was the home of the District 33’s preschool.
St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church provided increase community support during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, offering weekly food pantry distribution and other social services. St. Andrew’s also provided the first home location to Casa Michoacan DuPage, an organization that works hard to meet the needs of our immigrant population.
St. Mary’s Church, parsonage and 1922 school
Through schools, social programs, and gathering spaces, churches have fostered connections and supported the town’s growth.
Faith in the Modern Era
By the 1980s, West Chicago’s religious landscape reflected a blend of historic congregations and newer communities.
The First United Methodist Church, celebrating its 150th anniversary in 1985, stood as a testament to the enduring legacy of early denominations. In a new location on East Washington Street, the church has merged with area congregations and is now new Hope UMC. Their space for many years provided a hope to West Chicago’s PADS shelter for unhoused individuals once a week and today the work with community partners to host a community garden.
Meanwhile, newer congregations like the West Chicago Christian Church, meeting in temporary spaces like Indian Knoll School, continued the tradition of building faith communities from humble beginnings.
A Legacy of Faith
The history of churches in West Chicago is a story of resilience and adaptation. From early settlers gathering in homes to the establishment of diverse places of worship, faith communities have provided guidance, support, and a sense of belonging. As West Chicago continues to grow and change, its religious landscape will evolve alongside it, reflecting the needs and beliefs of its people.
Visit the museum to explore the stories of these churches and their role in shaping West Chicago’s rich history.