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.

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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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:

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)

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!