“LOOKING UPWARD; PRESSING ONWARD”
The simple, yet challenging motto was given to us many years ago by a congregational missionary group. The group sent German missionaries to America where they organized the Evangelical Synod, which merged with the Reformed Church in 1940.
In 1957 the Evangelical and Reformed Church merged with the church of our original benefactors so that we are now the United Church of Christ. We must continue to “PRESS ONWARD” and as our Eyes “LOOK UPWARD” to the cross at the top of our steeple, we praise Our Heavenly Father for this heritage.
On August 8, 1892, our Church, “Deutsche Evangelische Christus Gemeinde von Des Plaines” (The Christ German Evangelical Church of Des Plaines), was organized in the home of Carl Wicke at the corner of Miner and Pearson Streets. Three pastors from the Home Mission Board and twenty men who were the Founders and Charter Members attended.
The 20 Founding Members of Christ Church were Carl Aherns, Carl and John Eicksmann, Christian Geils, Henry Gielow, Felix, Frederich & Julius Jarchow, Henry Kassier, Fred and John Kaufmann, Frank Koch, John Krueger, Carl and William Schaefer, George Schubert, Fred Schultz, Paul Staat, Anthony Wehrmeister and Carl Wicke. Some of these names are still familiar to us today!
Our initial church gatherings occurred at Parson’s Hall, situated at the intersection of Ellinwood and Lee (where Spiegler’s Department Store was later situated). The monthly rent for the hall was $6.00.
The Brock Land Co. donated the lot on the corner of Cora and Henry Streets and four additional lots to the Church. Mr. William Hammer received the contract to build the frame church for the low bid of $3,600.
Construction of the new Church commenced on October 2, 1892, with the cornerstone laying. Five ministers, a brass band, and five choirs from Chicago churches participated in the service, which included special trains to accommodate the many people attending.
Reverend E. Bloesch was elected in November to be the first Pastor. The Home Mission Board paid half his salary, and the Church became a charge of the Board and was known as a “Home Mission Church.” The new Church was completed and dedicated on December 26, 1892.
The church bell, still in use today, was a gift of the Ladies Aid. It was cast in 1892 by the McShane Bell Foundry in Baltimore. The only time in its long history that it has been silent is during the year (July 1963 to July 1964) that our present Church was under construction. The bell continues to ring out for the critical moments of our lives.
A rare coincidence occurred on August 24, 1892, when our Church founders first met, and Rev. Dr. George W. Goebel’s ordination occurred in Louisville, Kentucky. In August 1942, Rev. Goebel, who had served Christ Church for 23 years at that time, and Christ Church celebrated a golden anniversary!
In 1893, St. John’s Evangelical Church of Addison Township donated a pipe organ to the Church. It was also the year the Ladies Aid was organized (later changed to the Ladies Society and then to the Women’s Guild). Its main objective was to raise funds to finance the small Church.
The Women’s Guild, formerly the Ladies Aid, was established in 1893 as the “German Sewing Circle of Des Plaines and Vicinity.” The group’s name changed to “Frauenverein,” or Ladies Society, two years later. While the Women’s Guild is younger than the Congregation, it has quickly become an integral part of our community.
The Christmas program was held on Christmas Eve during the Church’s early years and always attracted a large crowd. Children were given an apple and an orange from the Sunday School as gifts, which were undoubtedly delicacies for most of them!
A fir tree stood at the side of the altar and decorated with real lighted candles. As a preventive method, during the Christmas program, the elders would sit on the balcony and the main floor with wet clothes on the end of poles.
In 1894, Christ Church established its first choir, appointing Mr. Henry Weber as the inaugural organist and choirmaster. Weber served in this role for 32 years until 1926, leaving a lasting legacy on the Church’s musical tradition.
Rev. Bloesch served the Congregation until March 1896, and Rev. R. Rami served until October 1898. Prof. Lueder from Elmhurst College acted as interim Pastor until the end of the year, and Rev. August Fleer became Pastor in January 1899. The Church grew tremendously during these years, and in 1900, a parsonage was built next to the Church for $1,600.
Sunday school has been a part of Church activities since the early days, initially conducted alongside the Church Service. The Pastor would read a Bible Story and conduct a question-and-answer period for the first 20 minutes. After a sermon for the adults, the children sang a closing hymn. Mr. Fred Ahbe served as Sunday School Superintendent from 1900 until 1930.
Rev. Charles Heller was the first young man from our Church to enter the ministry. He was confirmed at Christ Church in 1900 and ordained into the ministry in 1916. He served the Presbyterian Church in Grand Ridge, IL.
In February 1903, church records show that one ton of coal cost $5.50, and 50 cents purchased three gallons of oil and lamp wick. The purchase of two additional lots on Walnut Avenue came for $250.00, and a few years later, Mr. F.P. Zaleski donated the remaining corner lot to the Church.
In 1905, a “House to House” canvass reduced the church debt, and construction commenced on concrete sidewalks on both sides of the church property.
In 1906, a new pipe organ was purchased for $1,200, replacing the organ donated in 1893 and dedicated in July. In August of the same year, the Church was struck by lightning, causing damage to both the building and the new organ. Insurance paid $500 to repair the organ, and it served the Congregation for eighteen years until 1924.
In 1908, a new heating apparatus was installed in the Church and the parsonage, and soon after, a modern water system was also installed in the parsonage for $263.96. Of course, German was the language of all services at Christ Church until 1911, when an occasional Sunday evening service was held in English.
In September of 1910, Rev. H.H. Bierbaum became Pastor of the Church. At this time, a two-story annex with a basement was added to the original church building. The cost for the annex (including a new heating system for the entire building) was $5,800.
In the early years of our Church, a parochial school was associated with the Church, with the Minister acting as teacher. The school was held four days a week for six months, from October until Easter. The school probably disbanded during the First World War.
In 1915, English services occurred once a month at morning services. In October 1930, the Congregation decided to have English services every Sunday morning and German services twice a month at a later service. However, German was still the language at all the festive occasions of the Church year.
Rev. Dr. George W. Goebel was installed as Pastor in December 1919 by his brother-in-law, the Rev. J.H. Ellerbrake of Arlington Heights. Rev. Goebel would serve as Pastor of Christ Church until 1945, for 25 years.
In 1919, the Men’s Society installed electricity in the parsonage, the only achievement of this organization, which continually served the needs of the Church. Minutes of their early meetings indicate that a portion of their dues regularly went toward purchasing cigars for their meetings!
In 1921, during our Annual Congregational Meeting, a historic decision was made: women were granted the right to vote within our Church. The Constitution was amended to reflect this change, aligning with the recent ratification of women’s suffrage on a national level. This milestone marked a significant step forward in recognizing the equality and contributions of women within our community.
In 1922, the Sunday School needed new songbooks. The Sunday School Teacher’s meeting minutes mention ordering 100 songbooks in the “American” language instead of German and English.
In 1924, a new pipe organ, made by the Moeller Organ Co., was dedicated, along with a new altar and pulpit. The Sunday School generously funded the purchase of the new pulpit. A successful financial drive was conducted to raise funds for the new organ. The campaign exceeded its goal, raising a total of $5,517.04, approximately $900 more than the actual cost of the organ.
Rev. Dr. Richard Kenneth Wobbe was the seventh Pastor at Christ Church. He and Dawn and their three children came to Des Plaines in September 1945, and he served our Church for 33 years until he retired in December 1978. The Parish Hall was named “Wobbe Hall” in his honor. Pastor Wobbe passed away in 1991.
Daily Vacation Bible School was started in 1946 and held from June 17 to 28. Many still remember singing aloud at the closing service, “I’m so glad I came to Bible School!”
In 1951, an evening women’s group called Klesia, which means “called out” in Greek, was formed. From 1962 to 1963, one of their projects involved making signature aprons. These aprons were sold to members for $1.00, and autographed space on them was sold for 10 cents each. The group raised $106.90 from the sale of these aprons. We wonder if anyone still has one of these aprons tucked away in a drawer.
Our Parish Hall was dedicated in 1954, a testament to the Congregation’s commitment and generosity. Built for $125,000, it has been a gathering place for our community for decades.
Ten years later, in 1963-1964, we completed the construction of our current sanctuary for $325,000. Under Hugo Dahm’s Chairperson’s leadership, both building committees successfully oversaw these projects, and both buildings were fully paid off within two years of completion.
These accomplishments are a testament to the dedication and financial stewardship of our Congregation.
In the Church’s 80th Anniversary—1972—the Guild reported taking old nylons to Bensenville Home and mailing canceled stamps for missions. Many handmade items, including lap robes, slippers, sweaters, booties, and flannel Jackets, were donated on World Community Day. A cookbook featuring cherished family recipes from Guild members was compiled and sold for $1.50 per copy.
In 1984, a merger of faith came to be when Christ Evangelical & Reformed Church joined forces with the Church of the Master. Leaders from both churches worked diligently to draft the necessary documentation, formalizing the merger early in the year. The union united two congregations, creating a stronger and more united faith community.
Proud of our heritage and looking forward to many more years of serving our Lord, Senior Pastor Rev. James W. Jackson and Associate Pastor Rev. Virginia E. Erikson led our 100th Anniversary (1992). Under the direction of Muriel Phillips, we rebuilt and rededicated our church organ.
In 1996, we called our first female Senior Pastor, Rev. Virginia Ericson. She served in the role from 1996 until her retirement in 2020. She had previously served as Associate Pastor from 1990-1996.
In 2022, we called our first non-European-American Pastor, Rev. Jon Gilbert Martinez. He had previously served as Designated-Term Pastor during the COVID pandemic and the transitional period between Rev. Ericson’s retirement and his being called settled Pastor.
On February 26, 2023, a historic date occurred. At our Annual Congregational Meeting, we made significant strides in creating a more inclusive and supportive church community. The Congregation voted unanimously to elect an all-female Church Council, demonstrating our commitment to diversity and leadership. Additionally, we took significant steps toward inclusivity by becoming an Open and Affirming church and a WISE for Mental Health Awareness congregation. These decisions marked a new chapter for our Church, reflecting our dedication to welcoming and supporting all individuals.
We look forward to our ministry continuing for the next few decades!
ORDINATIONS AT CHRIST CHURCH UCC
Rev. Dr. Allen Fluent (1965)
Rev. Dr. William G. Grice III (June I0, 1973)
Rev. Virginia E. Ericson (July 21, 1991)
Rev. Carol Currier-Frighetto (January 12, 1997)
