History:

The vision began with four pioneers meeting at the home of E. W. Griggs on March 6, 1873. As the result of that meeting, people traveled to Franks School House (west of Hoopeston) to worship for the first few months. On August 9 they began meeting in Hoopeston at Brother Griggs' home (located on the northwest corner of 1st Avenue and West Main). On October 1, 1873, the believers became a constituted church in the Gilman Association. They called G. T. Willis as their first pastor. He was to preach at least once a month; his pay was $125.00. On July 18, 1876, weekly prayer meetings became a part of the church's offerings; and on October 19, 1879, Sabbath School was another addition to the church. From 1874 to 1879 this congregation did not have a pastor. Therefore, various supply pastors served the congregation which met in members' homes, the Christian church, and Taylor's Hall (located on the corner of 2nd and Penn). For two reasons 1880 was an important year for this congregation. First, for thirty dollars a year they rented a hall at the corner of Given and Knox, where the old Presbyterian Church stood. Secondly, they conducted the first baptismal service. (Early baptisms were in George Steely Creek.) By 1881 the congregation had fifty-eight members and they purchased the property this church sits upon from Mr. Honeywell for $150.00. (Some of the information seems contradictory. Apparently, though, they purchased one lot; and he gave them one lot.) They built a frame structure 30x46 for $1,400.00. In 1888 they made $800.00 of improvements. (Mr. Gaskell was the contractor.) In 1902 people had to be turned away, for there was no room in the church. The leaders, after prayerful consideration, decided to build a new building on this site. The frame structure was sold and on July 1, 1903, they broke ground for the present building, which was completed on February 25, 1904. This building, a 47x95 brick structure, cost $14,000. The Gothic castellated treatment offered a 47x48 auditorium and 47x33 Sunday School rooms. The auditorium could seat 300; the lecture room, 200. Definitely, vision led in the founding of this church, the offering of various outreaches, and the building of two structures.

Through the years hundreds of people have demonstrated their commitment to their God by working in this congregation. A few will represent the commitment of those hundreds. Chapman Hall was named for D. H. Chapman. He was this church's first deacon, serving for fifty-one years, and the first Sunday School superintendent, serving eighteen years. In 1859 "He [Chapman] and a group of six other young men and an outfit of three ox teams and prairie schooners set out for Pike's Peak and a fortune in the silver mines. They followed the trail to central Nebraska. . . ." They met so many discouraged groups coming back that they decided to return instead of losing all their resources. Twice he volunteered for service in the Civil War, and twice he was rejected. (When he was young, he had been badly burned, maiming his hand.) In 1862 he married and in 1869 he purchased 160 acres of virgin prairie five miles north of Hoopeston. Remember Hoopeston was not a town yet. The nearest post office was Rossville, and the nearest town was Loda! He moved his family and his parents from Connecticut to his farm. In 1871 his wife died; in 1879 his mother died; and in 1880 his father died. He and his first wife had two children who lived to be adults. Howard Chapman, ordained in 1889, was the first person from this congregation to enter full-time Christian service. D. H. Chapman married again in 1875. The three children born in this second marriage died in infancy or childhood.

When D. H. Chapman died, this church's loss was great; but he was also missed by the community. Besides his service here, he assisted in organizing a church at Luddenville (north and west of East Lynn), established a school, served on the school board, debated as a member of the debating society, wrote for the newspaper, fought for Prohibition, and served as county treasurer.

Though Chapman seemed to epitomize commitment, he was not alone. Mrs. Mitchell came to this area "bowed down and crushed by her domestic troubles and work seemed her only comfort." This dear lady lent her organ so that the congregation could have music. She also traveled to Kankakee and Grant Park asking for help as the first building was being built. Her efforts brought in $65.00. Another interesting fact about Mrs. Mitchell was that she went back to school while she lived here. Though much older than the other students, she won their respect through her diligent work. Like many who have worshiped here, she moved away, but continued to be committed. In May 1882 she moved to Eagle Rock, Idaho. She served as vice-president of WCTU, worked for women's suffrage, and was chaplain of the legislature--the first woman in the United States to hold this position.

The early history illustrates the faithfulness of many. The women of the early church sometimes do not receive much credit, but their service was invaluable. The Sisters, as they were called, hosted a New Year's dinner which netted $75.00. That money paid the balance that was owed on this property, enabling construction of the frame building to begin. Faithfulness has also been evident in this church's commitment to missions. The first recorded missionary offering of $2.00 was taken on December 7, 1878. At that time one dollar could provide a week's salary for a native pastor in Asia or Africa. Later this church supported an Industrial Hall, located on West Main and 6th Avenue. This ministry was especially for foreign-speaking families and others, particularly those who had come to work at the new Malleable Iron Works. One of the organizations, the Little Lights, did fancy needle work. This needle work was sold and the proceeds were used to purchase the pulpit now used in the overflow room. Think of all the stitches that pulpit represents. To provide money for pews, two musical concerts were offered, raising $91.55 and $23.00. Yes, individuals and groups of members were faithful, but others--particularly the ministers--have been faithful. Two, to represent the many, are G. T. Willis and A. A. Benfield. G. T. Willis, the first minister here, represents many of the early circuit riding ministers. In 1870 (just a few years before he was called here), he preached in two places in the morning, two places in the afternoon, and one in the evening. This was a thirty-mile circuit that he rode for two years. Rev. Willis served in many small towns in Illinois and Indiana. Later in life he served in Nebraska. (In 1900 he moved back to Hoopeston to spend the rest of his life.) Rev. Benfield left England to come to America. During his years in Hoopeston, 131 people joined this church, thereby creating the need for a new building. This church was his first pastorate, and he came here bringing his new bride. Their service began August 1899. An unexpected illness led to his death on August 17, 1906. Rev. Willis and Rev. Benfield typify the faithfulness of the thirty-one pastors who have served this congregation.

Vision, commitment and faithfulness--these qualities were evident in the formation of this church and its preservation during these 125 years. For this ministry to continue, vision, commitment and faithfulness must be qualities which individuals, groups and leaders continue to demonstrate.