Northern Illinois Conference churches have been celebrating significant anniversaries this year and are looking ahead to continuing to serve God and neighbor in their communities.  

Chicago Temple Building, 100 years

Home to First United Methodist Church, the Chicago Temple was dedicated on Sept. 28, 1924, and remains an architectural highlight of the city. At its dedication, it was the tallest building in the city. It houses the highest chapel in the world (and possibility the highest parsonage in the world). Over the past century, the church has reached out to downtown and beyond with God’s love. 

The anniversary celebrations included an architectural symposium, a brass-band and organ concert, and a worship service on Sept. 29 that included special guest David Worthington, global ambassador of Methodist Heritage Sites for the United Methodist General Commission on Archives and History. 

First UMC is taking the anniversary as an opportunity to highlight the restoration of its Opus 414 pipe organ. Time, water leaks, and normal useage have taken their toll on the instrument, causing problems like notes that don’t play, notes that play when they shouldn’t, and airflow variations that cause the organ to play out of tune. The Schantz Organ Company of Orrville, Ohio, will restore the organ, under a $2.5 million contract. The restored organ is expected to debut at the Christmas 2026 worship service. Learn more. —from Chicago Temple resources 

First Korean United Methodist Church, Wheeling,101 years

Anticipating this anniversary, which the church thought of as its first birthday after a century of existence, members began to rethink the purpose of the church and direction of its mission and ministry. To observe this day, the church decided to “worship while scattered.” 

Rev. Sun Hyung Jo, lead pastor, suggested to the congregation that the church be empty on Sept. 8, the anniversary day. Instead, members attended worship at one of the other 10 Korean United Methodist congregations in the conference. Because some of these churches struggled over the past few years over questions of disaffiliation, FKUMC—as the mother Korean UMC in the Chicago area— wanted to serve them.  

When describing this plan in a sermon, Rev. Jo preached that sin entered this world when Adam began to place himself in the position of God. The church needs to be careful and vigilant about letting their long history, habitual ceremony, or size of the church take center stage, he said, and avoid distancing itself from loving neighbors. 

“Worshiping While Scattered Sunday” was one of the ways that church members acted on their faith, claiming their identity that “we are a church that gathers not to be larger but to scatter to share love. We will be a church not to build our own city and tower, but to be unnamed materials and a bridge for establishing God’s kingdom.” 

Even though the seats in the sanctuary on their 101st anniversary were empty, they rejoiced that they took a leap of faith and look forward more bold obedience in years to come.—Rev. Juyeon Jeon, associate pastor

Steward United Methodist Church, 150 years

Members and friends gathered to celebrate on Sept. 8, almost exactly 150 years since the building was dedicated. District Superintendent Brian Gilbert sent greetings and congratulations and former pastor Rev. Judy Sherk sent some of her memories of serving there. 

Four previous pastors attended and shared memories: Revs. David Kaller, Vaughn Peterson, Glen Stewart, and Megan Thompson. Rev. Dr. Jin Yang Kim, who is now a missionary, greeted the congregation through a video. Steward UMC is grateful for the gifts that each pastor brought to the church. 

Members also shared memories. Pastor Ilhan You challenged the members to join God in greater things still to come. Worship included communion, the holy mystery that sustained the church throughout its history and will continue to do so into the future. Worshipers donated to an offering for the church's Good Neighbor Fund.   

The church was conceived in April 1874 when 11 men met to discuss building a church in the Village of Steward, which was platted in 1870. The town’s founder, Wesley Steward, and his business partner, J.C. Curry, believed that the town needed a church in order to grow.  

As they pondered which denomination might best serve the community, they considered starting a union church or inviting the Methodist Episcopal Church to plant a congregation. They believed that the Methodists would bring a better crowd for the dedication, so they asked the Methodists. (With a founder named Wesley Steward, one wonders if there was really a need for discussion.) The building was constructed in five months for $5,000. Prof. Miner Raymond of Garrett Biblical Institute preached at the Sept. 6, 1874, dedication service.—Karen Bonel, lay leader

United Methodist Church of Geneva, 185 years

Members dedicated the last weekend of September to observing this anniversary. On Sept. 27, members and friends visited exhibits featuring videos about the development of the church and its congregation. Following this opportunity was a service attended by many of the church’s previous pastors—including Revs. Rich Darr, Steve Good, Esther Lee, Jenny Weber and Bill Obaliland—and District Superintendent Wendy Hardin Hermann. The mayor of Geneva sent a proclamation saluting the occasion. 

A Saturday block party drew neighbors to the celebration. Food trucks, games, a bounce house, crafts, scavenger hunts, and a professional face painter added to the fun. Inside the church, guests could be part of a bell-ringing and visit the exhibits and the church’s former building from the middle of the previous century.  

The celebration culminated at a Sunday morning worship service that included Bishop Dan Schwerin and a special piece of music arranged by Scott Stevenson, the church’s director of music, and sung by the chancel choir while accompanied by the handbell choir. After worship, all present joined in a group photo.  Learn more. —Kimberley Larsen,  communications assistant