Faith United Protestant Church
Park Forest
IL

60466-2116

Faith United Protestant Church Engelmann Tower

Who we are

We are an interdenominational church, welcoming people from all denominations We have two services each Sunday. At 8:00 a.m. there is an informal service, with communion celebrated weekly. The 10:15 a.m. service is more traditional, featuring the Senior Choir (Voices of Faith), and occasionally the Bell Choir. Sunday School for children meets during this service.

Street Address

10 Hemlock St
Park Forest, IL 60466-2116
United States
Phone: 708-747-1330
Fax: 708-747-1757

Download Faith United Protestant Church vCard with Service Times


Church Pastor

Kent Organ
Interim Pastor
10 Hemlock St
Park Forest, IL 60466-2116
United States
Phone: 708-747-1330
Fax: 708-747-1757

Download Interim Pastor Kent Organ vCard with Bio


Quote of the Day

Isaiah 53:4

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

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Leadership

Leader Name:
Kent Organ
Leader Position:
Interim Pastor
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Fax:
708-747-1757

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Leader Bio:
Kent lives with his wife, Rev. Vicky Curtiss, in downtown Chicago. He has served nine previous churches as their Interim Pastor, including the Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church, First United Church of Oak Park, and Trinity United Church of Christ in Deerfield.

Kent is a graduate of both Chicago’s McCormick Theological Seminary and Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Kent enjoys reading, sports, concerts, theater, films, travel, ethnic food, hiking, biking and being in nature.
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Faith United Protestant Church Leadership Photos

Interim Pastor Kent Organ


Administration

Admin Name:
Heather Moore
Admin Position:
Office Manager
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Fax:
708-747-1757

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Faith United Protestant Church - 10 Hemlock St, Park Forest, IL
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Faith United Protestant Church Park Forest Service Times

At 8 a.m. there is an informal service, with communion celebrated weekly.

The 10:15 a.m. service is more traditional, featuring The Voices of Faith and occasionally the Bell Choir.

Communion is served the first Sunday of each month.

Service Times last updated on the 12th of December, 2019


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Children and Youth Activities

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SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Bible Study Tuesday at 10:00 a.m.

Adult Education Class series most Sundays from September through May at 9:00 a.m.

EDUCATION

Women's Book Discussions first Tuesday in October, January, March, May and August 9:30 a.m.

MUSIC AND THE ARTS

Voices of Faith rehearsal Thursday from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Bell Choir rehearsal Thursday at 6:00 p.m.

FELLOWSHIP

Women's Circles, two daytime and one evening circles meet monthly.

Family Events - intergenerational themed activity events periodically throughout the year.

SPECIAL

Womenade service group for women. For information contact Lois Fritz or Inge Porter.

SPORTS AND RECREATION

Faith Fitness Monday and Wednesday at 9:00 a.m., and Saturday at 10:00 a.m.

Bridge - two groups: duplicate group plays the first Saturday of the month at 5:30 p.m., and a social group plays the second Friday of each month at 10 a.m.


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Faith United Protestant Church Photo Gallery

Faith United Protestant Church Engelmann Tower



Faith United Protestant Church History

A BRIEF HISTORY OF FAITH CHURCH

The story of Faith United Protestant Church is just that--a story of faith: faith of a group of young people in their God, in themselves and in their future. Back in 1949 when the village of Park Forest was just rising out of the cornfields of Illinois and the first residents were moving into the apartments, Philip M. Klutznic, one of its founding fathers, went to the Church Federation of Greater Chicago and discussed with them how to serve the Protestants who were living in the new town. As a result, Rev. Hugo Leingerber became chaplain of the new community and he was to interview the newcomers as to their church preferences.

His survey reported that 80% of the Protestant families desired an interdenominational church with a good preacher and a strong Sunday school program. And so was born the United Protestant concept--bringing people of all denominations together, blending a wide variety of religious traditions into a vibrant new community of believers.

The first United Protestant Church in the village (named Faith in 1955) was very innovative; it was to be lay-oriented--directed and operated by lay members, not the clergy. On Sunday, April 8, 1951, the official membership of the church was recorded at 510 charter members representing 35 Protestant denominations. Dr. Gerson S. Engelmann, the first permanent minister, was called to serve the congregation (which had been meeting in the Holiday movie theater) in November 1951. Since our founding, a succession of six senior ministers has served our congregation.

The Christian Education building was dedicated in April 1951, and the sanctuary was completed in October 1957. Dedication of the administration building and campanile in October 1963 completed the facility. The bronze bells, cast in a 300-year-old Holland foundry, rang for the first time on Easter Sunday 1963. In 1991, the campanile was renamed the Engelmann Tower and dedicated in honor of the founding ministry which enriched the Spirit of United Worship for a quarter of a century.

After 40 years of rigorous use, renovation and updating had become imperative. After the mortgage was retired in 1992, the congregation courageously undertook and capital renewal project to finance major improvements to the physical facilities--including new high efficiency boilers, replacement of much of the water supply system, re-roofing the Christian Education building and other hidden improvements. It continues today.

Although much has changed in our church, country, and world, Faith Church stands today as a witness for God, the Christian way, and the deep commitment of the thousands of people who have had a hand in making the United Protestant dream an ecumenical reality.


Faith United Protestant Church Historical Photos




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