A Brief History
of
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Wheaton, Illinois
by
John Robert Houliston

HISTORIAN'S NOTE:

John Robert Houliston (pronounced Holliston) was a Scotsman by heritage and a Presbyterian through and through. He was a distinguished Clerk of the Session, serving so many years beyond his terms as a ruling Elder that the Reverend Dr. Stewart bestowed upon him the honorary title, "Dean of the Session." Thereafter, he was affectionately called Dean Houliston by fellow-members. Though he lived to be 104, no one thought to ask him the dates of his writing of the local church history! Thus, in reading any copy of the manuscript history it should be kept in mind that some of it appears to be the original body of work which took the story only into the 1930's. A later version--this being an example--updates the history through the laying of the cornerstone for the new sanctuary on Jefferson Street in 1954.

For those interested, the Church Historian's files offer biographical material and photographs pertaining to Mr. Houliston's personal life and his valuable contribution to First Presbyterian Church.

Maurine M. Krohne
1986

SOURCES:
Minutes of the First Church of Christ in Wheaton 1866-1879
Minutes of the First Congregational Church 1879-1909
Minutes of the First Presbyterian Church 1909-1952
A History of DuPage County, Richmond & Vallette 1857
A History of DuPage County, C. W. Richmond 1876
History of DuPage County, Rufus Blanchard 1882
Report of Council of Congregational Churches Held in Wheaton in February 1879

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, WHEATON, ILLINOIS

by JOHN R. HOULISTON

BEGINNINGS.

An historian of the last century wrote "The truly reformatory movements of the day find warm supporters here (Wheaton) so much so that it has been denominated a "reformatory town."

Kossuth said "Nothing in the past is dead to him who would know how the present came to be." To understand the history of the First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton it is necessary to go back to its origin; to know something of the character and the aims of its "founding fathers" with their beliefs and prejudices; to consider some of the issues of the day and where they stood on these issues, and to take into account the difficulties under which they labored with most primitive means of transportation and communication. How their ideas and beliefs were woven into that first organization and how the church has faired under three flags makes an interesting story.

Prior to the Blackhawk war no settler in northern Illinois was safe from pillage or murder by the Indians but with the banishment of the tribes beyond the Mississippi river the area became open to settlement. Milton Township saw the first settlers arrive in 1831 in the persons of Harry F. Wilson and Lyman Butterfield; Ralph and Morgan Babcock and Thomas Brown settled in this town soon after. They were followed by Joseph Chadwick and his sons.

The Chadwicks made their home in what was later called the Hadley neighborhood, in the vicinity of the present Chicago Golf Club. They came from Northern New York where bitter opposition against the Masonic orders had developed and they had acquired a great dislike to any and all oath-bound secret societies. New England and New York were becoming very antislavery and Chadwick brought with him a keen hatred of slavery. He was not without his prejudices against liquor, tobacco, cards, dancing and the theater. He believed that man was made for the Sabbath and he observed it. His material possessions were just the necessary articles that could be carried in a Conestoga wagon.

When Chadwick reached Milton Township there were no roads or bridges, just Indian trails. In fact from Ottawa north to the Wisconsin line there were no settlements excepting Chicago on Lake Michigan and Galena on the Mississippi excepting a few families et Bureau Creek, Indian Creek, Dixon, Kellog's Grove and Apple River, about thirty in all. All supplies had to be hauled from Chicago by wagon and then only in dry weather when the roads were passable.

The close of the Blackhawk war in 1833 banished the Indians to beyond the Mississippi river and opened this part of the state to settlers. At once there was a great influx from New England and northern New York. They came by wagon bringing only the bearest necessities. But they brought strong bodies and strong minds with courage to face lonliness and privations while they carved homes for themselves and their children out of this vast wilderness.

To the vicinity of what is now Wheaton came the Garys, the Wheatons and the Hadleys and a host of other strong rugged men and women. Most of these pioneers held deep religious convictions and readily responded to the missionary preachers sent out by the Baptists, Methodists and the American Board of Home Missions to which the Congregationalists and the Presbyterians subscribed. There was Methodist preaching at Stacy's Corners, now known as Five Points in Glen Ellyn, and at Gary's Mill near Winfield. The Baptists organized a church at Warrenville and the Presbyterians had churches at Plainfield, Big Wood and Batavia.

Considering the loneliness of the pioneer life without newspapers, telephones or radio and travel confined to the speed of horses or oxen it is not surprising that the people eagerly awaited the coming of a circuit rider minister or an itinerant preacher and came some distance to worship and to make social contacts.

Politics and religion were the main topics of discussion. These were days of intense partisanship and the question of slavery or antislavery held first place in popular interest. The issue invaded the churches setting one congregation against another in the same denomination. This was particularly true in the great Methodist church. In New York State some of the churches withdrew their affiliation with the Methodist church to start a new denomination which they called Wesleyan Methodist. Word of this movement must have reached Joseph Chadwick. Being an ardent abolitionist he longed for a church that would measure up to his standards not only on slavery but on many other questions as well.

After calling on his neighbors he invited them to meet at his home one Sunday morning in February 1843. Fourteen families accepted his invitation and proceeded to organize a Wesleyan Methodist church, the first church established in the area which was so soon to become Wheaton. The first minister called was the Reverend Rufus Lumry, a fire eating abolitionist. His tenure was not long and he was succeeded by Milton Smith and later by Alexander McArthur, then L. B. Ferris. In fact ten ministers served the church in its first twelve years.

Six years after this organization came into being a railroad was built, a station was erected on the Wheaton property and the place called Wheaton. A town grew rapidly around the station and it soon became the business and social center of the area. By the year 1860 Wheaton had grown to village of 600 people. In November of 1856 a Baptist church was organized and in October of the next year the Methodist church was established. Richmond and Vallette's History of DuPage County lists the churches in Wheaton as follows; Wesleyan Methodist about 75 members, Episcopal Methodist about 60 members, Baptist Church 17 members.

Prior to 1847 all of the churches of Presbyterian form of government in Cook and DuPage counties were members of the Ottawa Presbytery. To attend a meeting of Presbytery required a long and difficult journey which required several days. There were three such churches around here. The church at Batavia, the one at Big Woods and the third, known as the Plainfield church was located some miles south of Naperville on the DuPage river. Sometime in the late thirties the Fox River Association of Congregational Churches was formed and these Presbyterian churches were invited to join. Batavia and Big Woods accepted the invitation and no longer sent representatives to Ottawa. Plainfield moved into Naperville and joined the Association. A few years later a part of the membership of this church withdrew and reestablished its home at the old site. In this church in October 1847 the Presbytery of Chicago was born. The Synod of Peoria had detached the counties of Lake, Cook, DuPage and Will to form the new Presbytery. In all this territory only four Presbyterian churches existed, two at Chicago, one at Joliet and the fourth was the country parish known as Plainfield.

New Englanders firmly believed in higher education as was witnessed by the numerous fine colleges and universities already established there. The settlers from New England wanted their children given like opportunities and especially schools that would fit them for the ministry and other learned professions. Each denomination sought to found at least one college and one Divinity school to prepare their young men for the Gospel ministry. The Wesleyans were not to be outdone in this matter of education. They wanted a school where the laws of their church, which they called "testimonies" would be taught and strictly enforced. These testimonies called for the abolition of slavery; no member of the church in good standing could belong to any oath-bound secret society; the church forbad the use of liquor, tobacco, cards, dancing, gambling, attending the theater, and called for a strict observance of the Sabbath. With the cooperation of the other Wesleyan churches in northern Illinois, Wheaton was chosen as the best location for such a school. A site for the campus was secured, a building erected and the first classes of the Illinois Institute began in the Autumn of 1853. It is evident the school building also was the home of the church. When in 1856 the first president was installed, the Reverend Lucius C. Matlack, he was also made the minister of the church.

Financial troubles beset the college from the start and in 1859 the Wesleyans called upon their Congregational friends for help. The Congregational Association refused to undertake the responsibility because they already had two or three colleges and a Theological Seminary to support but there were some individuals who said they would undertake helping to support the school on condition that Dr. Jonathan Blanchard, who had been president of Knox College and who was now preaching in Galesburg, was made president. The Wesleyans accepted the conditions and offered Dr. Blanchard the presidency. As he was fundamentally in agreement with all of the Wesleyan "testimonies" he accepted the call and took up the work January first 1860. As the former president had left and the church had no minister, Dr. Blanchard supplied the pulpit for a time at least.

Within a month after coming to Wheaton Dr. Blanchard sought to have the church join the Fox Valley Association of Congregational Churches. While agreeing to this the church made a stipulation that the testimonies relating to slavery, Masonry, etc. should remain in the manual and be strictly observed. Writing some twenty years later Dr. Blanchard says, "which condition has been sacredly observed."

At this time the name of the church was changed from the Wesleyan church to the First Church of Christ in Wheaton. Under Dr. Blanchard's ministry the church had a satisfactory growth but the Wesleyans were not happy under the new arrangements and twenty-eight of them withdrew two years later to form a Wesleyan church which was still in existence in 1882.

There is no mention in the records of a house of worship and it is quite probable that as the church and the college were so closely associated worship was conducted in one of the college buildings. At any rate, when the college completed a new building in 1872, which included a chapel, a committee was appointed by the church to arrange with the college for the joint use of the building. The members of the college faculty, with their families, and the student body, made up a goodly part of the church and were well represented among its officers.

The completion of the college chapel gave the church the most commodious quarters it had ever enjoyed. Money for church expenses must be raised and the prevalent custom of renting pews was adopted. The pews were "sold" at the start of the year at a price that depended upon location and of course the most desirable pews brought the highest price. There were a few unrented pews that could be used by non pew holders and visitors or if a family was late they might find the usher had seated some one else there. Pledges were also asked for additional funds for current expenses and benevolences. In order to expedite the collection of rents and pledges the church appointed a collector who was to receive a percentage of what he collected as pay for his services. The contributer could save this for the church if he would pay the treasurer direct before the collector got to him. The collector plan did not prove very satisfactory and was soon abandoned but the rental of pews continued for many years.

Late in the year 1877 a storm suddenly developed. An endowment fund of $12,000 had been raised in the East: by a Mr. Webster to endow a chair on the faculty of Wheaton College. It was understood that Mr. Webster would receive the appointment as soon as the fund was in hand. Mr. Webster turned over the cash to Dr. Blanchard, in trust as he supposed for the endowment. Shortly afterward, when the college was pressed for money to meet current bills, Dr. Blanchard secured Professor Webster's consent to the use of $1200 as a temporary loan. Not long after this the college needed three thousand dollars. Again President Blanchard asked Professor Webster to lend the money from the endowment. To this Professor Webster objected on the grounds that the fund would soon be dissipated and the money given by his friends for his support would have bean used for other purposes. Nevertheless the money was withdrawn and as a result of his protests Webster was dismissed and his work given to a younger man. What remained of the endowment was used to support the new professor.

Many friends of Professor Webster thought the treatment he had received both dishonest and dishonorable on the part of President Blanchard. One of these, Mr. J. M. Chapman, expressed his feelings on a suburban train one morning and went so far as to call the President a thief. The remark was overheard by H. L. Kellogg,, a relative of the President and an officer in the church. He called a meeting of the congregation at which he preferred charges against Mr. Chapman. The charges were sustained at this meeting and Chapman was "denied the fellowship of the Church until he should repent and seek forgivenness." Chapman made his confession of repentance but the Church refused to restore him to fellowship.

Professor Webster now brought charges against President Blanchard for "slander and personal wrong in depriving him of his place on the faculty and defrauding him of his equitable pecunary right." To this Webster's friends gave their active support. The College element, controlling a majority of the votes of the Church, exhonorated Dr. Blanchard.

Professor Webster then asked that a congregational meeting be called for the purpose of calling a Council of Congregational Churches to review the whole matter. The meeting was set for January third 1878. The meeting was duly constituted following the usual prayer meeting. Before considering the object of the meeting a communication was read which ended with a resolution to dissolve the church. This motion was given the right of way. The motion asked that the present church be dissolved and in its place two churches be established, allowing each member to choose which one he wished to join. The vote resulted in 57 yeas and 23 nays. The church was thereupon declared dissolved. There being no longer a church they could not call a Council or transact any other business. The meeting adjourned.

The minority claimed the action was illegal as the call for the meeting clearly stated the purpose was to consider calling a Council of the churches and made no mention of any other business. Certainly there was no mention of dissolving the church given as one of the objects of the meeting and that such a motion should have been ruled out of order. However it was a fact accomplished and some eighty members proceeded to organize a new church and adopted the name of the College Church of Christ. The others would not recognize the vote of dissolution and continued as the First Church of Christ. They retained their membership in the Congregational Association and the minister, Reverend L. Taylor, but they were barred from meeting in a college building by Dr. Blanchard who had given the use of the chapel to the new church.

The church found they were able to rent the building of the Universalists on Wesley street just east of Main. This building was later sold to Dr. Oelke who moved it to its present location and converted it into a Medical building. The church paid a rental of $3.50 per Sabbath. This included heat, light and janitor service. Here the church worshiped throughout the year 1878.

Immediately after the separation the church called a Council of Congregational Churches which met in the Baptist church Wheaton during February. In their published report the Council found "That the First Church of Christ in Wheaton was not dissolved, and could not either morally or in accordance with Congregational usage be dissolved by the passage of the resolution mentioned. That the First Church of Christ in Wheaton continues and all members who remain obedient to the Covenant of the Church retain the full rights of membership." "By decision of the Council lately held in this place, the First Church of Christ was not dissolved by the vote on the evening of January 3rd. (1878) and that all those who are absenting themselves from the worship and ordinances of the church are yet members thereof and are under covenant of obligations and responsibility there to". It also found against Dr. Blanchard.

Although called upon to return to their church the College group ignored the Council and Dr. Blanchard contended that as he had been exhonorated by his own church the Council had no jurisdiction and no authority in the matter. Dr. Blanchard found, however, that he no longer had his former power and influence over Congregational churches nor was the College Church able to secure membership in the Congregational Association for over ten years when the First Church finally withdrew their objections.

Dr. Blanchard's account of the affair is as follows; "Difficulties having arisen in 1877 of a complex nature, stimulated by an officer of a Masonic lodge outside, at a written request of about eighty members, the church voted to dissolve and become two churches, allowing the members to go with either body as they chose. Some 30 active members withdrew and afterward changed the name of the First Church of Christ in Wheaton to the First Congregational Church of Wheaton and also struck from the manual their testimonies against secret lodges."

This whole sad affair had no place in the House of God. If Professor Webster had been wronged the matter should have been taken to the civil courts. It is certain no just settlement could be made with tempers aroused to the melting point. Doubtless Mr. Chapman's remarks were injudicious but when he recalled them the opposition refused to reinstate him in the church. The move to dissolve the church was to save Dr. Blanchard from facing a Council of disinterested parties who had no bias. The matter was an affair of the College to which the church nor the Council had any authority but might only advise.

THE CHURCH BUILDING.

The most pressing need of the church was a house of worship. The arrangements with the Universalists was at best only temporary. In June a committee was selected to secure a suitable site for a church building. This committee selected the Grom lot at the southeast corner of Hale and Seminary Sts. five rods on Hale street and eight rods on Seminary street which could be purchased for eight hundred dollars. A building committee was appointed to secure plans and funds for the erection of a building. To this committee the names of Mr. J. Q. Adams and Mr. Patrick were added. This is the first mention of Mr. Adams in the minutes. He was destined to play a very important part in the future of the church.

The plans chosen called for a building fifty feet square. The sanctuary would occupy the north three-quarters of the interior with sliding doors separating it from the south quarter which was to be used for Sunday School and prayer meetings. By raising the doors the room could be used as an overflow when needed. There was to be a belfry on the northwest corner and the entrance was through this section. The corner stone was laid August 20th 1878 and the building completed and dedicated on Wednesday January 2nd. 1879. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Dr. Goodwin, pastor of the First Congregational Church of Chicago.

The building cost $5230.00 exclusive of the lot, making the total cost $6030.00. Most of the money had been raised among the members and their many friends in Wheaton but they still needed $1500.00 to complete their payments to the builders. This was raised by placing a mortgage for that amount on the property at 9% interest and had one year to run. During the year efforts were made to raise the debt and with the aid of $300.00 borrowed from the Congregational Church Building Society the debt was paid in full when it came due.

Immediately upon completion of the new church the members decided to change the name from the First Church of Christ in Wheaton to the First Congregational Church of Wheaton. A statement of the change was duly recorded by the County Recorder January 15, 1879. The manuel was revised a few months later to conform to the polity of the Congregational Church. Up to this time the old Wesleyan manuel had been in use. The new manuel omitted the "testimonies" against slavery (a dead issue now), masonry, etc. but to satisfy a minority, it stated that the church did not look with favor upon such things but held that these were questions which each member must decide for himself according to the dictates of his conscience.

The critics of the church lost no time in telling the public that the church no longer had any principles. Smarting under this criticism and feeling that the testimonies should have been strongly reiterated, the minister, the Reverend L. Taylor, resigned.

A committee was appointed, which included Mr. John Quincy Adams, to secure a new minister. They chose the Reverend Augustine G. Hibbard, who began his ministry September first 1881, after the pulpit had been vacant for a year.

Mr. John Quincy Adams was elected to the Board of Trustees in 1884 where he was made the chairman, a post he retained until his death in 1899.

The church was fortunate in having among its members the Reverend William E. Brewster and his family. Mr. Brewster had served the church as its minister during the late sixties and now at the age of retirement he had returned to Wheaton to make his home with his son George H. Brewster. The retired minister might have cast his lot with the College Church but for the fact that he had some life insurance in a fraternal insurance company and that church would not accept him unless he surrendered that insurance. The "testimonies" covering secret societies barred him from their fellowship. He exerted a wise, kindly and tolerant influence with his fellow members until his death at a ripe old age in 1894. His son George H. Brewster was the treasurer of the church for a great many years and after the change to the Presbyterian church he became one of its first elders. He remained on the Session until a charge in the rules of succession was made in 1925 when the church made him an Elder Emeritus, the only man who has been so honored. The third generation of this grand old family was represented by Mrs. Frank Goalding, his daughter. Although she was a cripple from childhood, requiring the constant use of crutches, she seldom missed a day from the Sunday School where she had charge of the primary department for fifty years.

The new church building was quite an addition to the small town of Wheaton. It faced on Hale street overlooking the Gary home. It was built of frame on a stone foundation and had a belfry on the northwest corner directly over the entrance. Small pinnacles ornamented the southwest and northeast corners. The entrance steps led up directly from the street corner. Against the east wall of the sanctuary stood the rostrum and pulpit with a marble topped communion table directly in front of it. A hugh stove in the northeast corner of the room furnished the heat and on a cold winter day one would not wish to be far away from it but pity those who happened to be too close. Oil lamps furnished the light and a small organ the music. The pews were cushioned and would seat about one hundred and eighty persons. They were all numbered and were rented to the members on a yearly basis. Thus each family occupied their accustomed place on Sabbath morning. Visitors were shown to unrented pews unless a family was known to be away or were unusually late in arriving at the church, when he might be shown to one of the better seats.

The residence of William Grote adjoined the church on the south. He wanted the vacant space that was between his home and the church. The trustees thought they needed the money more than they did the land so a deal was made by which they deeded five and one half feet by one hundred and seventeen feet to Mr. Grote for sixty dollars. The deed was dated August 11, 1881. The church finally bought the Grote property and these five and a half feet came back to it at a cost of sixteen hundred and fifty dollars.

The membership of the church, after the secession, was reported in 1878 as sixty-five and the following year as sixty-six. Doubtless there were some nonresident or inactive members included in this count. In 1880 it had dropped to sixty and by 1882 only forty-six remained on the roll. The low of all time was reached in 1883 when a membership of thirty-eight was reported. It rose slowly from that time until it had again reached sixty-five in 1890. A copy of the report for 1900 to the Congregational Association shows a membership of eighty-seven but it admits thirty-four of these were nonresident. During the next five years the church grew to one hundred and forty-seven only to decline the next year to one hundred and thirty-eight. It had taken twenty-eight years to increase the membership by seventy-three souls.

The slow growth of the church membership with its frequent and costly setbacks cannot but reflect on the character of its ministry during these years. There were fifteen ministers engaged from 1881 to 1909 and there were numerous periods when the pulpit was filled by temporary supplies. The average tenure of each pastorate was less than two years while the longest was only five years and that was divided into two periods with a year between them.

One of these ministers, the Reverend Mr. Carr, resigned October 26,1904 and a committee consisting of Messers Jones, Ames and Banning was appointed to nominate his successor. The committee agreed on a Reverend Mr. Williams but learned at the last moment that Mr. Williams had changed his plans. This was reported to the church January 18, 1906. The committee again reported on March first that a candidate had withdrawn because the salary offered was too low and that another could not accept a call "at present". The result of this report was that the question of a new minister was thrown into the lap of the church members.

Three weeks later a business meeting was held to take an informal vote on a minister. Four names were presented which resulted in a vote of 14, 11, 5, and 4. The last name was dropped which resulted in a vote of 17, 12, and 8. None of the candidates was chosen but on April 19th. the committee presented the name of a Reverend Mr. James of St. Louis who received the unanimous vote of the twenty present.

Seeds of discord had been planted in these meetings and they germinated rapidly. By the time Mr. James arrived to assume his duties on May first more than fifteen letters of dismissal had been granted and among these who were leaving were some of the main supporters of the church, such as the Fishers, Morgans, Clevelands, Pringles and Grinnells.

The loss of so many members whose financial support was so sorely needed gave the officers who were charged with the wellbeing of the church much concern. For many years there had been two Congregational churches in Wheaton. They were unalike in many respects but who knew it until they had united with one or the other! They both carried the Congregational banner but one adheared to the "testimonies" of the Wesleyans while the other the polity of the Congregational church. The College church still worshipped in the College chapel and had the College support. Their membership was larger and very active. They did not consider the First church orthodox and criticised it openly as "having no principles." Was there room in Wheaton for two Congregational churches? There was never any thought of the First church uniting with the College church.

There was no Presbyterian church west of Maywood. Presbyterian families coming to Wheaton to make their home must choose among the other churches. Why not offer them a home in their own denomination? Why not become a Presbyterian church? There was no obstacle of faith. The change in church polity was not too great. The more the proposition was discussed the more favorable it seemed. Overtures were made to the Chicago Presbytery. The Presbytery looked upon the matter favorably and the change was finally consumated April 20th. 1909, taking over the membership, the property and the debts of the First Congregational Church of Wheaton.

The Presbytery enrolled the church as its one hundreth member and contributed two hundred dollars toward the salary of a minister for one year. The Presbyterians had grown from four churches to one hundred churches and had become one of the strongest denominations in the Chicago area in sixty years. At the suggestion of the Presbytery Dr. Shepherd was called to serve the church and he took up his duties in August. Ninety-two members were transferred from the old church but the roll of charter members was to remain open until the first communion October third when it was completed with one hundred and twenty-six names.

Some changes had taken place in the physical property during these thirty years. There is a vote of thanks recorded at the meeting of the church November fifteenth 1894 to Mr. John Quincy Adams for the gift of the manse. This was a two story frame house situated on a thirty-five foot lot facing Seminary street and directly back of the church property and it has served as the residence of the minister of the church almost continuously since. A month later Mr. Adams offered a gift of six hundred dollars to the church toward the purchase of a pipe organ. A very lovely and acceptable gift. He joined in a committee with Mr. E. W. Fisher and Mr. H. R. Lewis to raise the balance that would be needed. It was necessary to build an addition to the east of the church to house the organ and make a choir loft. The organ was purchased and installed by Lyon and Healy but five years later the church spent five hundred dollars "to make a complete pipe organ."

The building lacked a place for social gatherings, for church dinners, for the primary department and the women's society. A committee consisting of the Trustees, Miss Adams and Mrs. Patrick was appointed to explore the possibilities of building an addition which would meet these needs and to report back to the church at the earliest possible date. The committee was appointed June 25, 1902 and a week later reported favorably on the project. A building committee was appointed consisting of Messers Monroe, Vogell, Jones, Fisher, Miss Adams, Mrs. Patrick and Mrs. Nystrom. August twenty-third the church authorized the Trustees to mortgage the church property to the amount of one thousand dollars to the Congregational Church Building Society for the funds necessary for the new construction. The mortgage was to be repaid in five annual installments of two hundred dollars each. The work was completed and turned over to the Trustees May 6, 1903. This is what constitutes the "East Room" of the present plant. The small room to the south was intended for a kitchen and served as such until the basement was excavated and a new kitchen was equipped in the room below. During the six remaining years of the Congregational society no payments were made.

When the Presbyterian society took over the property they paid off this mortgage but no release was obtained until a final settlement of an old claim of six hundred and sixty-two dollars by the Congregational Church Building Society for a mortgage dated December 2, 1879 was satisfied The latter claim was settled in May 1913 for an amount in excess of six hundred dollars by Mrs. Katherine Adams Wells. The matter was adjusted and settlement arrived at by Judge M. Slusser, and a release obtained for each mortgage on May 19, 1913. These releases were recorded.

In order to pay the one thousand dollar mortgage and other debts of the Congregational society the Presbyterian society borrowed twelve hundred and fifty dollars from the First National Bank of Wheaton and it was sixteen years before this note was finally redeemed. Had the Congregational Church Building Society presented claims for both mortgages when the Presbyterian society took over the property it is likely both would have been paid at that time but the claim for the first mortgage seems not to have been pressed until 1913 and the action of Mrs. Wells and Judge Slusser cleaned up an old and difficult problem for the Trustees for which both they and the church were very grateful.

During a midsummer storm in 1913 lightning struck the belfry on the church and damaged it severely. The Trustees could not see any useful purpose it served and ordered it removed, together with the pinnacles, to save the expense of rebuilding it. Their removal has detracted much from the architectural beauty of the building and lost its churchlike appearance.

The first Session of the Presbyterian church was composed of Elders George H. Brewster, Frank DeWolf, William H. Monroe, J. 0. Morris, C. R. Thomas and J. M. Grove.

The first Board of Trustees consisted of C. T. Jones, William H. Porter, Edward N. Lake and B. L. Ames to which was added the following year Fred M. Cutter and G. C. Alchorn.

When Dr. Shepherd assumed his duties in August 1909 the membership of the new church consisted of 92 names from the old church roll and at his first communion additional members joined as charter members to bring the number up to one hundred and twenty-six. During the years of his ministry there were two hundred and twenty-five additions to the roll and the losses were forty-two letters granted, fourteen lost by death and fourteen names placed on the absent roll. This left a net membership of two hundred and eighty-one at the close of his ministry in June of 1917.

Dr. Shepherd began his work with a broad sympathy and a keen understanding of the problems facing both the church and the community. His interest in the young people was particularly strong and it grieved him that the facilities for recreation were so inadequate in our city. He soon interested the young men of his congregation in a project to excavate the basement under the church and equip it with a maple floor and gymnasium apparatus. He added to this a pool table. This brought forth severe condemnation from the College and the College Church. who had never forgotten their old quarrel. But the church basement was open every night and it soon became the social and recreational center of the community as well as for the church young people. It was under wholesome Christian influences and helped direct many a life into paths of righteousness.

In theology Dr. Shepherd was considered broad but his teachings were always simple. He was at heart a teacher and friend. He was deeply loved by his own people and highly esteemed by most of his neighbors and fellow townsmen. His influence lasted long after he had left Wheaton.

In vain the committee sought another Dr. Shepherd. Almost a year went by with various ministers filling the pulpit. The most popular of these was a professor of Church History in the Baptist Theological Seminary, a part of the University of Chicago, Dr. Peter G. Mode. He was free from his teaching duties during the summer quarter so the Session decided to ask him to become the Stated Supply of the church and offered him the use of the manse and the same salary paid to Dr. Shepherd. This would make a very welcome addition to his income and provide the family a nice home with good environments. He accepted the offer and began his ministry July 24, 1918.

He devoted his full time and energies to the church until October when he arranged to stay at the University from Monday through Friday. Dr. Mode was an interesting speaker and drew a good congregation, especially of men. In spite of his absence from the field during the midweek he brought many new members into the church.

It is quite surprising that the Presbytery permitted a Baptist minister to become a Stated Supply and made no protest throughout his ministry in the Wheaton Church. It is the present policy of Presbytery to discourage the use of Stated Supplies for any lengthy period but rather to encourage the churches in its jurisdiction to have regularly installed ministers.

Dr. Mode took a protracted vacation during the summer of 1924, spending his time in Canada where he claimed he had suffered illness but the Session believed he was preaching each Sunday in Canadian churches. He claimed full payment for the time he was away. Twice during October he was away from Wheaton on Sunday without notifying the Session that he would be away nor making arrangements for someone to preach in his place. When the Session remonstrated with him he told them he was in no way subject to them. His resignation was asked and as he was not an installed minister of the church no request of Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relationship was necessary. He preached his last sermon to the church November 9, 1924.

The fact that Dr. Mode had enjoyed two sources of income made it possible for the church to be served by a man whose talents commanded a salary beyond their means. The church must be content to engage a man of lesser ability or take the chance of a student whose ability was yet to be proven. The latter course was chosen and Winfield Scot Insley, a student at McCormick Theological Seminary was called. He had been a minister of the Wesleyan Methodist church in South Dakota before coming to Chicago for further theological study and was one of the older men in his class. He was married and had two young sons.

Dr. Insley's ministry covered a span of five years when financial prosperity was general and optimism for the future unlimited, April 17, 1925 to December 29, 1929.

What the new minister lacked in the pulpit he more than made up in youthful enthusiasm and hard work. He was a great favorite among the young people. He was in demand as a speaker at high school assemblies. The Christian Endeavor society had become moribund. It was reorganized into three groups, one for the high school age, one for teacher's training for the Church School and a third that would take in all the remainder was given a series of lectures on the history of the Protestant Church in America. The new plan must be credited to Elder John L. Alexander whose work with the American Youth Foundation gave him a broad understanding of the psychology of youth. The young group took hold with enthusiasm. They brought their friends and every meeting was a success. The other churches in Wheaton took note of the Presbyterian plan and organized like groups.

The Church School was also growing and soon reached a point when it was a problem to find suitable space for the classes. This was particularly true of the primary department which used the East room. This condition was brought up at the annual meeting of the church in 1929. The discussion resulted in the appointment of a committee to explore the needs and recommend a new site for the church plant if they thought it advisable.

The committee reported on four possible sites, as follows; First, the northeast corner of Union and Wheaton Ave. This overlooked the park. It was an irregular tract 236 feet by 76 feet by 114 feet which could be purchased for $32,000. Second, the southwest corner of Union and West Sts. 141' x 198' to cost about $25,000. The third; Mrs. Well's "cow pasture" on Cross St back of the Christian Science church. Mrs. Wells did not favor moving the church and declined to set a price on this property. And last the present site which had a frontage of 77' on Hale St and 135' on Seminary to which must be added the lot on Seminary occupied by the manse. The committee favored the present site because of its central location but thought it necessary to secure additional frontage on Hale St. if only the 5 1/2 feet the church had sold to William Grote in 1881. This property was now owned by Mr. Fred Grote, the son of the late William Grote. When approached on the subject of selling to the church he told the committee he would not consider selling back the five and a half feet nor did he wish to dispose of his home. He did agree to inform the church if he should change his mind and before he sold to anyone.

The church accepted the recommendations of the committee to remain at the present site and authorized the Trustees to go ahead with plans for a new structure for both the church and educational buildings. The Trustees were authorized to borrow up to $75,000 for the completion of at least one unit of the new church plant.

The Trustees entered into arrangements with some professional campaign promoters to canvass the membership for funds. The campaign resulted in pledges for $45,000. payable over a period of three years. A finance committee was appointed to collect and handle these funds. Another committee was appointed to make a study of the needs of the church and to select an architect. This committee visited a number of new church structures and interviewed many of the leading church architects. The first question raised by these architects was "can you secure more land?" The size of the lot appeared altogether too small for the ambitions of the church and its future growth.

The chairman of this building committee was Mr. Hugo Schmidt who was an architect and engineer. At his own expense he prepared a set of plans for a church, manse and educational building, all under one roof, that he believed could be built on the available ground. A cut of this proposed building was published in one of the local papers. The educational unit was to be erected first and the estimated cost of this unit was well over $75,000. When it seemed probable that the church would go ahead without Mr. Grote's property, he became very much interested and sent word to the committee that he would like to see them. He told them that he had a offer from some promoters who wanted to build an apartment house on his property but that he had given his word to consult the church before making a sale to anyone. His asking price was $25,000.

This price seemed very high but after finding the price asked for vacant property across the street and taking into consideration the prices asked the committee that had canvassed other available sites, the Trustees concluded to recommend the purchase to the congregation. A few years later, after the bubble had burst, it seemed incredible that such a price should have been considered. The purchase was made with a payment of about $10,000., all that was in the building fund treasury. The balance of $15,000. was carried through the depression years with only small payments being made on the principal, mostly coming from the Women's Society. Some of the Trustees would like to have given the property back to Mr. Grote if he would cancel the note but the majority disagreed with them. Finally bonds were issued to members of the church bearing three percent interest, to be paid off by lot on any interest date and an amount added to the annual budget to cover the interest and amortization of the debt. Mr. Grote agreed to a reduction of one thousand dollars of the balance in consideration of a cash settlement.

The Grote residence was turned into quarters for the primary department which relieved the pressure to do something for the Church School. In view of the financial difficulties of the depression years it is doubtful if the church could have weathered the storm had it had a debt of fifty or seventy-five thousand dollars to carry. Mr. Grote did the church a great service of which he was not aware.

During the Holiday week of 1928 the Gary Memorial Church was completely destroyed by fire. They had to rebuild and it was suggested that as the property adjoined and both churches were about to build, they combine and build one fine church which would serve the united congregations. Committees from the two churches met and discussed the problems entailed in such a merger. They finally agreed on a joint meeting in Chicago where Dr. Henry Seymour Brown, Executive Secretary of the Chicago Presbytery and Bishop Hughes of the Methodist Church would be present. Bishop Hughes generously offered to take the entire membership of the Presbyterian church into the membership of the Gary Memorial Church but further than that he would make no concessions. There was no further talk of a merger.

The year 1929 closed with the resignation of the Reverend Mr. Insley who had received a call to the First Presbyterian Church of Shenandoah, Iowa. He had served the church well and had added one hundred and ninety-two members to the rolls. Of course this was not a net gain of that many for there had been the usual losses by death and dismissal by letter as well as some who had moved away and had not transferred their membership. The church was in good condition and looked forward confidently to the future.

By Easter of 1930 the committee that had been appointed to nominate a new minister was ready to present Dr. Bishop Newsom. His work as an educator in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas and a degree of Doctor of Religious Education conferred by Northwestern University seemed to point to him as a man of large experience and perhaps another Dr. Mode. The committee tried to make clear to him the program for social and religious life for the young people of the church and desire to continue such a program. He expressed himself as fully in accord with it. He was told particularly of Dr. Shepherd and his work in Wheaton to which he nodded assent. Within six months he had antagonized many of the young people and they had dropped their activities.

Dr. Newsom was a great success as a teacher or a lecturer on Old Testament history but in the pulpit there were few who liked him. His theories for organization of Christian Education were very complex and entirely over the heads of his church school officers and teachers. The years of the depression were upon us and finances became a great problem. Money was scarce and called for a great sacrifice on the part of those who endeavored to keep up their former pledges to the budget. The congregation dwindled to a mere handful and it seemed that something must be done if the church was to survive. The turn in the road was made in the summer of 1935 when Dr. Newsom decided to resign. His work started June 30,1930 and ended June 30,1935. He had received one hundred members into the church.

It took the committee almost a year to locate a new minister that they would recommend. The Trustees told the committee that they could pay $1500. a year and that $1800. was positively the top limit. The men interviewed were not interested in such a salary or if they were interested the committee was not interested in them. They had scouted many churches and had arranged to have candidates preach in city churches where they could go and hear them. They finally made a wise choice in the Reverend Pyron McMillen who was student supply minister in the Central Church of Chicago.

Mr. McMillen had another year to complete his seminary course. He began preaching as a supply June 4th, 1936 and was installed as minister of the church upon his completion of his work in the seminary April 25, 1937. Mr. McMillen brought with him a youthful enthusiasm and tireless energy that more than compensated for his lack of experience. He was very devout and sought to instill a spirit of evangelism in every department of the church. He rallied the lagging forces of the church and put new life and hope into it. That his labor here was short lived casts no reflection upon his ministry, nor does it mark a dissatisfaction on either side. He felt that because he had served the church during his student days he would always be looked upon as a novice and that only in some other field would he be accepted as a skilled workman. A call to a well established church in a college town appealed to him greatly but he was loth to give up a work that he felt and knew was just well started. Torn between his desire to enter what seemed to him a larger field and his sense of loyalty to the many friends in Wheaton, it was with great reluctance that he tendered his resignation at the annual meeting in 1938. He had done much for the church during the two short years of his pastorate. He came to a discouraged congregation and left a united, hopeful people. The pastorate was dissolved April 15, 1938.

No history of this church would be complete without reference to an activity which, starting with small beginnings, has continued uninterrupted for over thirty years. It can best be told in the words of the late John L. Alexander, "Kinji" to his friends, as he wrote in the Founders' Magazine in 1926. "Spreading, the Christmas Cheer." "A little church in the suburbs of Chicago has annually for nearly a score of years, carried on the Christmas spirit. So well has it been done that the suburban town, in which the little church is located, has united its efforts with the church in a great nonsectarian Christmas enthusiasm. The result has been a months' or six weeks' planning for the event on the day before Christmas and giving the day before Christmas to personally visit the needy homes and deliver the food baskets, clothing and toys. "I was sick and ye visited me - hungry and ye fed me - Naked and ye clothed me - lonely and ye came in unto me." In passing it may be noted that the movement is the direct result of a big-hearted business man, who began it by caring for a couple of families at Christmas time. "The cup of water given for Thee, still holds the freshness of Thy Grace."

Many have answered the last roll call since the church became Presbyterian. Of these a word of appreciation should be said for their faithful courage through days or darkness and trial. Outstanding among them we find George H. Brewster, William Monroe, DeWitt C. Blair, John L. Alexander, Edward N. Lake, Charles J. Jones, Miss Alice Fisher, Mrs. Edith Pittsford and Mrs. Henrietta Wanzer. Indeed they have "fought the good fight, they have kept the faith" and we who are left to carry on may well be inspired by their faith and courage.

The Presbyterian Church was now approaching its thirtieth birthday, and had run a life span equal to the Congregational Church after the secession of the College Church. Had the proponents of the change to the Presbyterian standard been right? Had the church made better progress than the old church? From a membership of 65 in 1879 to that of 92 in 1909 was a gain of fifty per cent. From 92 to 271 in 1938 was a gain of 300%. From fifteen ministers with an average of two years to five ministers with an average of six years. Current expenses were being met and the only debt was the unpaid balance on the purchase of the Grote property.

The congregation, while not large or wealthy, was made up of substantial, friendly people who made a compact working organization. Having given up the autonomy of the Congregational Church they had gained the democracy of representative government. Presbytery never exercised any dictatorial rule over the church. In fact it could not do so but it stood ready to assist in any time of need. While the ordained Elders and Deacons are required to accent the Confession of Faith there are no "testimonies" that a member must subscribe to when joins the church save his belief in God, the Father, and in Jesus Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of men. They are asked to give a little of their time, of their energy, of their prayers and of their means to the welfare of the church.

The committee delegated to find a successor to Mr. McMillen made use of their friends and found a young man from New York through Dr. Brackett, minister of the church at Lake Forest. He was Robert Bowman Stewart, associate minister in the Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas, a Dutch Reformed church having a Presbyterian form of government. Mr. Stewart was a graduate of Columbia University and Princeton Theological Seminary, and seemed to offer all the qualifications they desired. In order to persuade him to look over Wheaton, two of the committee brought him to Wheaton one warm August afternoon and showed him the church property and the beautiful little city. They took him to call on a few of the citizens so he might know the kind of people he would find here.

It was asking a good deal of this young man to give up a good salary for a meager one, a big Metropolitan Church for a little country church but Dr. Stewart agreed to think it over and decide by Labor Day. His letter came promptly and said he "thought his chapter in New York was not yet finished." The committee had feared this might be the answer but they were determined at one more attempt. A night letter was telegraphed immediately which reached him Sunday morning as he was preparing for the pulpit. He tried to formulate a reply but gave it up and resorted to the long distance telephone. He made the call but before he was able to give his negative answer he found himself reconsidering and promising to preach as a candidate the first Sunday evening in October. There was no doubt in the minds of the committee that the matter was settled. He received a unanimous call and arrived in Wheaton November 15, 1938.

The installation service of the Reverend Robert Bowman Stewart as minister of the First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton was held December 15th. at which the Reverend Frederick F. Shannon D.D. minister of the Central Church of Chicago, preached the sermon. The Reverend Robert H. Elliott Ph.D. gave the charge to the minister, and the Reverend W. Oliver Brackett, Ph.D. minister of the Lake Forest Presbyterian Church, gave the charge to the Congregation.

The church people turned out well to hear Dr. Stewart's first sermon. They went home to tell their friends and neighbors. The next Sunday the doors to the South room had to be raised to accommodate the crowd. By Christmas many were unable to get in. There were visitors coming from near and far to hear him and many predictions were made that the Wheaton church would not be able to keep him long in such a small church. Mr. Stewart found he liked the people as well as they liked him and a bond of friendship soon existed that would be hard to break. When asked why he came to Wheaton he said that any church that had members willing to give up their business in behalf of the church as two of them had done when they took him out to see Wheaton and the church must have the right kind of people in its congregation.

Work on the manse was started as soon as Dr. Stewart arrived. It was no small undertaking as it required a new roof, new gutters, a new chimney, a new bath room, and a new furnace. Painting and decorating both floors, a new partition between the hall and the living room and shoring up the floors in the kitchen and dining room and the removal of an old kitchen chimney which had caused the floors to settle, all were attended to and a livable house was the result. Perhaps the greatest result was the enthusiasm and activity which this work engendered.

The next project undertaken was landscaping the grounds. A work party of the men was organized and in a couple of evenings the rubbish was cleared away, the space between the church and the manse was graded and planted with shrubs and evergreens. Dr. Stewart designed and built a friendship garden behind the house and a terrace where he might entertain his guests during warn weather. Yes, the old church had taken on a new life and a new era was begun.

One summer morning in 1941 the old organ refused to function. For over forty five years it had presided over the auditorium, with its ornamental pipes of various sizes, highly decorated save where the paint had chipped. There had been little change in the sanctuary since it was installed excepting that the old stove no longer dispensed comfort or discomfort to the congregation and electricity had displaced the oil lamps. The pulpit rostrum was somewhat lower than the choir or organ loft. The organist sat with her back to the audience but watched what was going on thru a rear view mirror. The choir sat on either side of the organ bench with a rail separating them from the speaker.

All this would be changed when the new organ was installed. An addition had to be built to house the organ mechanics and the manuel was set on the floor level at the right of the rostrum. The cost of the new organ was less than the estimated cost of repairs on the old one. The manufacturer allowed one hundred dollars for the old one and it now serves in a Jewish Synagogue. The removal left a black cave with an accumulation of dirt in which was found a copy of the manuel of the First Congregational Church bearing the date 1884.

A special service to dedicate the chancel and the new organ was held Sunday afternoon November 14, 1943, that being the fifth anniversary of Dr. Stewart's arrival in Wheaton.

A very excellent and interesting description of the composition of the chancel was written by Mrs. Shelby McMillion for the Wheaton Journal July 16, 1951.

Mrs. Catherine Adams Wells, who with her father, John Quincy Adams, had been benefactors of the church since 1884, passed away November 14, 1942. In her will she left a trust of twenty-five thousand dollars for the benefit of the church. During her life she had done many nice things for the church among them paying off the claims of the Congregational Church Building Society, carpeting the main auditorium, painting the church at her expense several times, (the color had to be stone gray), and she had contributed generously "for the support of the minister."

Dr. Stewart conceived the idea of an outdoor chapel. It was a rectangular area surrounded by dense hedges. A stone altar was erected at the south end and an entrance through an iron gate was at the north end. Crushed lime stone was spread in the shape of a cross with a stone seat on either side of the path. This beautiful little chapel was dedicated to the memory of Gilbert Monroe Cole, an aviator who lost his life in the Second World War. Gilbert was the grandson of William Monroe, a charter member and one of the first Elders of the Presbyterian Church. The chapel found much use during the summer months for baptisms and weddings.

Early in Dr. Stewart's ministry a new choir was organized under the direction of Mr. Morris F. Roberts, with Mrs. Joseph A. Reinhardt at the organ. Both were musicians of unusual ability. Mr. Roberts secured a quartet of singers through the Chicago Musical College and made up the chorus from the best young voices in the congregation. The choir has been a great asset to the church at Christmas and Easter when they put on special programs as well as every Sunday morning from September to June.

The right arm of the church is the Women's Society. The ladies work from January first through December thirty-first on various projects that contribute to the life and activity of the church. They contribute generously to the church, the Church School, the building fund and to various benevolences. "The Spiritual Life Group has been a vital center open to each of us helping us along the road to better understanding." The calls upon new families in Wheaton does much to give a cordial welcome to them to come to our church. You can always depend on the chancel guild for a beautiful and artistic arrangement of the flowers that grace the chancel and the vestibule entrance to the church.

The church membership had grown in ten years to 475 and the "little country church" was beginning to take on metropolitan ways. The annual meeting in January 1950 marked a new advance which was ultimately to make great changes.

THE CHURCH MOVES.

The period of the thirties, with its general depression, had brought new home building to a minimum and without new homes the population of Wheaton grew very slowly. Late in the decade a few residences were started only to be finished under great difficulty and further building was prohibited because of the Second World War. The birth rate had been exceedingly low so that the school population was about static and no new school buildings were required.

This trend was reversed in the forties. Marriages increased as the boys were called up to go to war and when they returned after the middle of the decade. The effect on the school population was felt generally throughout the country but especially in Wheaton where new home construction was particularly active and where the influx of new families had swelled the population from about seven thousand in 1940 to about twelve thousand in 1950. Most of this growth came in the last four years and the trend was continuing.

Again the Church School needed space, particularly for the primary department. Dr. Stewart called the attention of the congregation to this need at the annual meeting of January 1950. A committee was appointed to survey the needs and explore ways and means of meeting them. This committee made a very thorough study of the situation and invited a New York architect, who was the advisory architect of the Church Federation, to an all day meeting of the committee to consult with them on their findings. A lengthy report had been prepared and was read to the architect. He congratulated them on the comprehensive treatment they had given the subject but, he inquired, "where will you locate such a building?" The area south of the church seemed ample to them but the architect pointed out that while that was true it would leave little or no room for the future growth of the church, especially in view of the need of a new sanctuary before many years.

The children's building, as outlined, would probably cost one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. One of the members of the committee suggested that in view of the fact that we had little space for future expansion if we built on the present site, why not look at the Dunbar property which was for sale at about half the amount we proposed to spend for the building and would give ample room for future growth. It would solve the problem of traffic congestion that was growing serious at the time the Sunday school was dismissed and people were coming to the three or four churches in the immediate vicinity. During the luncheon recess many of the committee drove around the Dunbar property and were favorably impressed.

David Dunbar was a successful Chicago lawyer who had lived in Wheaton many years. He secured title to all the lots in a block bounded by Madison, Ellis, Jefferson and Carlton avenues, approximately four hundred feet square, and erected a beautiful residence of Georgian architecture in 1930 at an estimated cost of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The grounds were beautifully landscaped and occupied a hilltop in the northwest section of Wheaton, about a mile from the old church property.

After the death of Mr. Dunbar only Mrs. Dunbar remained to occupy this immense house. She had tried unsuccessfully to sell the property for some time and offered it to the committee for seventy five thousand dollars cash. The committee considered it very carefully and found the floor area about the same as they had planned for the children's building. With only a few minor changes it would serve the school very well and as a home for the Women's society and the Youth groups it seemed ideal. The congregation approved the purchase and a sixty day option was secured. During the next two months an exhaustive campaign for funds resulted in cash and pledges for over seventy thousand dollars. The banks made a loan of forty thousand dollars for a period of five years. Within eighteen months more than half of this loan was repaid.

Late in September of 1950 the Church school moved into the new home which was to be called the Parish House. It required some new equipment and considerable adjusting to get the departments arranged to the best advantage. The school began to take on new life and the growth exceeded all expectations. The Children's Building Committee cannot be too highly praised for their excellent work in bringing to pass such a large project in so short a time.

The Women's Association took up quarters in the Parish House and found it a most ideal place for their all-day meetings, dinners and receptions. Their membership was growing rapidly and their enthusiasm high. They pledged five thousand dollars toward the purchase of the Parish House and redeemed their pledge in full within a year. They also gave liberally toward furnishings and improvements.

The Young people were delighted to have the ball room converted into a chapel for their use and a rumpus room in the basement where they could hold their social affairs with a kitchen, well equipped, for their use. The Presbyteens, a high school group, the Presbyterian Junior League, a group of junior high school students and the Supper Club, a group of young married couples are all proud of their new quarters. In the hands of these young people lies the future church.

The distance between the church and the Parish House causes some inconvenience, but it is not of a serious nature. It is well understood that this is temporary. The advantages of the new location are many and the goal set before the congregation is the early completion of the entire church plant. With this in view the building committee called a meeting of the Church and Congregation May 18th, 1952 at the Wheaton Community High School at which meeting sketches were presented showing the design and location of the Sanctuary, the Educational Building, and the Manse. The Congregation gave its approval of the plans which were all in Georgian architecture to be in keeping with the Parish House. It also asked the Trustees to endeavor to find a buyer for the present church property. The Building Committee was instructed to proceed with raising the money that would be required to complete the entire project or at least enough to build the Sanctuary.

For a time one delay followed another until early in 1954 a new chairman was appointed and several new names added to the committee. Then business began to move. A Company was engaged to head up the canvass for funds and after carefully laying the ground work the campaign got into action May first 1953 and closed six weeks later with $160,000. raised in cash and pledges. Meanwhile the architects, Tranchetti and Sutor, completed the working plans and specifications for the Sanctuary and called for bids which resulted in the contract being awarded to the LaSalle Construction Co. of Chicago.

A special congregational meeting was held in the sanctuary, Sunday November 15 1953 at five in the afternoon to consider the report of the Building Committee and related matters, including the proposed sale of all the church property fronting on Hale and Seminary streets. The meeting authorized the sale at a price of $66,000, the church to have continued use of the building until August first 1954.

A week later the congregation was invited to the site of the new church for the informal ceremony of breaking ground for the new Sanctuary. "This is a joyous and historic event."

Another joyous event occurred May 9, 1954 when the corner stone was laid with impressive ceremonies. The box containing historic data, the membership roll of the Church - the last Easter Sermon preached in the old Church by Dr. Stewart and the Church Calender for May 9th, was set in place by Elder Chauncey Mc Cormick and the stone was placed by Walter Bryant, Chairman of the Building Committee.

The church membership has not been standing still. When Dr. Stewart was installed there were 291 names on the active roll. The clerk's report at the close of 1953 showed an active membership of 692, and over 80% of these had known no other minister here. Few of the original members of the Presbyterian church are now living and those who cast their lot with them in the early days are few in numbers but the church owes much to the memory of those who, through all the years, carried on the work of Christ and the Church in spite of discouragement and adversity. They were a fine group of men and women who worked together as a unit for the advancement of Christ's Kingdom.

We owe a debt of gratitude to those men and women, few in numbers but strong in faith and courage, who built our sanctuary almost three quarters of a century ago. We have been their heirs and beneficiaries through many years altho their names are well nigh forgotten.

"May we bear in mind that all we have today is the fruit of the labors of these pioneers, who wrought in years gone by under the blessing of the Great Head of the Church, our Divine Lord and Savior. Let us pray earnestly that we may be given the grace to continne these labors in the same spirit of consecration and build upon the same foundation of which they built; 'For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.'"*

*The words of the Reverend Cleveland Frame at the one hundred and fiftieth General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.