Looking Back at the Downers Grove Church
by Shirley Newton
For 80 men, women and children, there was, what shall we call it, a sense of adventure, a surge of the Seventh-day Adventist mission, right in Downers Grove, Illinois.
It was the 5th of November 1960 when a few members from the Hinsdale Church, and a few other surrounding churches, came to celebrate Sabbath in a little old stone church where sometimes the bees, which nested in the walls, joined the worshippers.
There was a vision for these Seventh-day Adventist Christians that it was surely a time to build a new church to serve the villages and towns between Hinsdale and Aurora.
Almost right away, new members came to join in this new fellowship of believers. The little stone church was becoming more crowded each week. But as each new week passed, everyone was so encouraged because as they looked about their new membership, they discovered all the talent that was needed for a vibrant mission-oriented church.
Indeed, only one year passed before the little stone church became just too small for the growing congregation. So the decision was made to find a new church home in a rented school auditorium that was nearby.
The enthusiastic and spirit-filled church continued to grow, but it was not always convenient moving chairs before and after Sabbath services. But these members were making plans, and, in addition, they were giving financially every week for a church of their own which they envisioned for the future
It would be in July of 1965, that the 4 ½ acres where this church now stands was purchased. Fund raising now began in earnest. The goal was close now, more than ever before, for their new home. The goal was in sight.
Trees and shrubbery were cleared, and 14 loads stone were hauled in. Each member volunteered where his or her skills would make a difference. Finally in the fall of 1967, the actual construction of this church, where we sit today, began. Can we put ourselves there to feel the sense of awe that those original members from the little stone church and the school auditorium must have felt at that moment?
In a few months, the building itself and the interior, much as you see it today, was complete.  The long anticipated day came on February 10, 1968, when 325 people gathered to worship in the Downers Grove Seventh-day Adventist church, located at Maple and Lee Avenues. That was 40 years ago.
It would be November 5, 1971, before this church was dedicated to the Lord and His work completely debt free.
It was the vision of a small group of servants for their Lord that would allow this Sanctuary to be built for those who, for the many years to come, would walk through the doors of this church.
And as one year follows another, it has continued to be the people who walk through the doors of this church who leave their footprints, their time, their effort, and their sacrifices to make this church all that it is today.
One of the largest commitments the church was to make came in 1984 when it was decided to use the Sabbath School rooms for a Church School.
Of course, the Lord blessed, and by 1990, there was a need for more classrooms and a larger Fellowship Hall. There were many meetings and several seasons of prayer before the membership committed itself to the indebtedness for the new construction.
But, following the vision of church members of years before, the band of members sacrificed financially; and the building as we see it today is debt free.
Men, women, and children have walked through the doors of this Downers Grove Church and they have left their footprints. They may have influenced the church membership as a whole, or they may have influenced only one person. But each one has made a contribution to the development and mission of this church where we now worship our Lord.
Throughout all the years, it has been the defining influence of the pastors who have served their God in this vineyard. Their voices have passed from one member onto another until they have all been co-mingled to give the Downers Grove Church the character and personality by which it is known today.
Since that day in November of 1960 when 80 people had a vision, there is still much of the work the Lord would have us to do.
So as members of the Family of God, wherever we worship, let us commit ourselves to continue to move forward with a vision to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and His soon coming.
Continue reading about Looking Back at the Downers Grove Church
SABBATH AFTERNOON CONCERT
Prayer & Welcome – Pastor Christopher Holland
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Solo Piano Give Thanks Canon – Martin Suarez
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Vocal Duet Sing to Jesus Meagan & Mandie Rodriguez – Dina Rodriguez, Piano
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Solo Piano How Firm a Foundation – Roger Dickman
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Vocal Solo I Cannot Hide From You – Meline Ponniah
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Solo Piano All Hail the Power of Jesus Name – Belford Hernandez
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Vocal Ensemble Now Thank We All Our God – Chosen By Grace
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Violin Duo The Prayer – Elias & Esteban Linares – Priscila Linares, Piano
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Vocal Duet Oh The Deep, Deep Love Of Jesus – Dustan Daniel & Meline Ponniah – Jack Loganbill, Guitar
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Solo Piano Fugue from ‘Toccata, Adagio & Fugue’ in C Major J. S. Bach – Roger Dickman
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Vocal Solo Holy Ground – Affif Leonor – Priscila Linares, Piano
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Solo Piano Amazing Grace – Lucas
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Vocal Duet Let the Words of My Mouth – Meagan & Mandie Rodriguez – Dina Rodriguez, Piano
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Four Hands Piano Holy, Holy, Holy – Belford & Vielza Hernandez
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Vocal Ensemble I Bowed on My Knees and Cried Holy  – Chosen By Grace
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Closing Remarks – Joe Arner & Ensemble Great Is Thy Faithfulness - Everyone
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Continue reading about Church Reunion – Sabbath Afternoon Concert
Church Reunion Worship |
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Church Reunion Potluck |
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Church Reunion Fellowship |
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PANEL DISCUSSION
Panel Members: Dr. John Baldwin, Pastor Raymond Plummer, Pastor Christopher Holland, Pastor Joseph Arner and Joe Sodora.
Panel Discussion 1 – Moderator: David Dye
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Panel Discussion 2 – Moderator: Affif Leonor
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More Pictures:
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Welcome to the 40th Reunion Celebration of the Downers Grove Seventh-day Adventist Church. We are very happy that you are with us today. This is a special Sabbath for all of us as we reunite with old friends and take opportunities to make new ones. We also want to give a special welcome to three of our former pastors, Elder John Baldwin, Elder Ray Plummer, and Elder Chris Holland and their wives.
Looking back it is hard to believe that time has passed so quickly. More than forty years ago a small band of people heard the call of God to begin a work in Downers Grove. After much prayer, faith, work, and an earnestness of heart, the church was organized on November 5, 1960. By the end of the fourth quarter of 1960 the church reported a total membership of 79 to the conference! Soon after, a new church was built and a church school was started. Today with God’s continued blessing the church has grown to 334 members and counting!
Within these walls people have given their hearts to Jesus, given their lives to each other, given their children to God, and laid their loved ones to rest in His arms. Within these walls we have found hope for each day and comfort through trials as we wait just a little while longer for Jesus to come and take us home to be with Him.
It is here that prayers have been made and prayers have been answered. It is here that the presence of God has been known and felt. It is here that we come together today to worship the Lord, to remember the past, to celebrate the present, and to look forward to that future day when we will all be reunited to never part again.
My prayer for us and you is that we will all be together with those we love on that great reunion day in heaven.
With Christian Love,
Pastor Joseph Arner, Tammy, Joelle, and Rachel
Continue reading about Welcome to the 40th Reunion Celebration
Brief history of church (written by pastor C.L. Turner circa 1966). In addition, I included photo catalog of members of the Downers Grove church at the time. Included are original photos of the land before construction. (Download PDF file)
Continue reading about Brief history of church – Pastor Turner 1966
The remaining pictures below are of various Sabbath School classes meeting in and around the church.
Continue reading about Our History in Pictures – The Early Pathfinders & more
First Sabbath in the New Church: I had originally thought this picture was taken on the Sabbath in 1971 when the church building was dedicated debt free. However, after closer examination, I know believe that this picture was taken when 325 people attended the first Sabbath in the new church building on February 10, 1968. Elder W. A. Nelson, President of the Illinois Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, led the service that day.
Continue reading about Our History in Pictures – First Sabbath in the New Church
This picture was taken in the gymnasium of the Lester School in Downers Grove. The church rented this facility after they outgrew their original meeting place. From the Lake Union Herald, December 14, 1965, Vol. LVII, No. 49, page 13:
“Emil Donda has been sparking the Building Fund by circulating a large five gallon bottle for contributions. The children took great delight as they watched him fish out the $267 it contained, which ranged from pennies to a $50 bill. Others placed their offering in “Surprise Envelopes”. Clarence Fields, the church treasurer, was on hand to count the total, which came out to $2,500 for the day.”
Continue reading about Our History in Pictures – Building Fund
Fellowship Dinner (November 8th)
Greetings Church! Let us do all we can to get ready for the 40th Anniversary! We are planning on fellowshipping and feeding many people, and we could use your help to make it happen. Downstairs outside the fellowship hall on the wall is a display with colorful tickets. Pick two tickets to supplement the dinner. Sign your name next to the number of the ticket on the sign up sheet. Take the tickets with you to help you remember what you have signed up for, and bring the food with you ready to serve on November 8. Donations for entree food and kitchen supplies, etc. Please contact Dean Williams or Cheryl Fierce if you wish to volunteer in a special way with the dinner, set up, serving, and clean up. The more helpers we have the better!
Reunion Flower Donation
Our 40th year Church Reunion is almost upon us. If you wish to donate $ to assist in putting flowers in the Sanctuary and around the church for this event please put your money into the weekly envelope and mark it “reunion flower donation” or contact Cheryl Fierce, our head deaconess.  Thank you for your assistance in making this a wonderful event.
Details About Attending the Celebration!
9:25 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
The day begins with guitar music and singers. Following a welcome by Pastor Joseph Arner, a panel discussion will start at 9:45 a.m. The panel consists of four of our former pastors: Dr. John Baldwin, Reuel Bacchus, Ray Plummer, Chris Holland, and our present pastor, Joseph Arner. The topics consist of issues that relate to your life and answers questions about the times and events in which we are living today.
11:00 a.m.. – 12:15 p.m.
The celebration continues with…
•A Singspiration
•Presentation by the students of the Downers Grove School
•Panel discussion
•History of the church
•The church choir sings and leads the closing song
12:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Fellowship Dinner – a time to enjoy good food and conversation with friends not seen in a long time.
2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Musical concert followed by refreshments.
We want to see you there. Print a copy of the PDF letter invitation and mail it in. (See the letter for details). See you there!
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