WELCOME to United Church of Rogers Park

Welcome to the United Church of Rogers Park! We're glad you're interested in visiting with or reading about us. We hope you'll feel free to join in our worship and activities.

"U.C.R.P." is a United Methodist Church drawing upon Congregational and Methodist traditions. . . a Church dedicated to the ministry of the people in our community.

The United Church of Rogers Park is an urban Church living with the rich diversity and background of a multi-ethnic community. Being a city church blessed with a large building, United Church is responsive to and active in the physical needs of the Rogers Park community. United Church also provides facilities for many community organizations: Rogers Park Day Care Center; the 49th Ward Aldermanic Offices; Rogers Park Tenants Association; Retired Seniors Volunteer Program; Sullivan and Field Schools' Education Councils — to name just a few.

We hope you will enjoy the time you spend with us and will come to know us and our building as a "good thing" in an otherwise sometime troubled world.

HISTORY

Bricks and mortar alone do not a church make.

Infused with the ecumenical spirit of brotherhood, true Christian fellowship, laughter and sharing, a living and vital church has evolved from a building. . . bricks and mortar. . . at the corner of Morse and Ashland Avenues. . . the United Church of Rogers Park. However, this church, its loyal congregation and its bricks and mortar have truly been tried by the tests of time and the fire of destruction. But. . . we passed the test. . . and with flying colors.

The cornerstone for this building — originally a Congregational Church — was laid in 1905.

In the Winter of 1925, a fire destroyed the building. Undaunted, the members of the congregation set out on the heroic task of raising the funds to rebuild their Church. An amazing group of people, the “new" building was completed by 1927.

For the next thirty years, the Congregation Church continued to be a strong influence in the Rogers Park community. In 1957, under the guidance of Rev. Erwin Hyde, the Church became a member of the United Church of Christ. In 1963, Rev. Hyde was succeeded by Rev. Paul von Tucher, who ministered in the United Church of Christ congregation until his resignation in 1967.

It was Summer, 1967 on another corner of Ashland Boulevard, when a Methodist Church was destroyed by fire. The cornerstone of that building read "1902". Many dedicated Methodist ministers has served the Rogers Park community in those 65 years.

Immediately after the fire, a marvelous spirit of brotherhood was displayed by many religious and social organizations offering the Methodist congregation new quarters -- even if only temporary. One of these generous groups was the Congregational Church on the southeast corner of Ashland Boulevard and Morse Avenue [The Congregational Church had already suffered its own near-disaster fire, so its longtime members knew the traumas, both spiritual and physical, rendered by the destructive flames].

In September, 1967, the Congregationalists and the Methodists not only shared space, but shared worship together with an interim minister — Rev. Leonard H. Lowe — an appointed minister of the United Methodist Church.

Since then, two similar, yet uniquely different congregations have grown together — in body and in spirit. They are, however, no longer solely Methodists or solely Congregationalists [not to mention any new members who happened along the way]. Therefore, it seemed significant that on March 17, 1969, this collection of Christians elected to rename themselves — the United Church of Rogers Park — and to report to the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Christ's teachings of flexibility, understanding and consideration with and for one another were being tested. Being a people of great faith and spiritual strength [whether Methodist or Congregational], the images of "bending willows" might be analogous to the tests facing the newly merged congregation. These tests were more personal than the destructive fires; their pains as equal the brick nitrating and requiring more time for and mortar of the soul to heal.

With great resiliency and spiritual guidance, God the United Church of Rogers Park a great peacemaker and humanitarian. The Reverend Thomas A. Grey succeeded Rev. Lowe as minister in 1975. A man fully engaged in the day-to-day activities of the Church, the congregation of UCRP was increasing, as was the congregation's community outreach in Rogers Park.

Rev. Grey, known to everyone as "Tom" did, indeed, make a difference at the corner of Morse and Ashland. There had been a merging two congregations and the transition had been difficult, yet successful — you can't tell the Methodists from the Congregationalists anymore with a strong contingency of senior citizens a large popularity with young families, singles, etc., it's sometimes hard to tell the players without a program — old and young. .together. . . working with each other for a common cause.

A rapidly changing neighborhood, Rogers Park offers great history and tradition. . .part of which Includes keeping its doors open to all ethnic groups of our City. UCRP, of course, also has its doors open to everyone of any age, race, religion — all groups of people who share love of God and man. We pride ourselves in our "melting pot" congregation and the "good feelings" that now within our fellowship. Much this is due to Tom Grey, who, through his efforts, didn't change the Church. . .but changed the people. He readied the group for the humanitarian outpourings expected of each of us for survival as Christians in the City.

Tom Grey, of course, felt we had "arrived" at our state of readiness and were ready to "go forth" on our own. He then accepted a call to another congregation in Park Forest South, where he will accept yet another challenge. However, he left what he called an "opportunity" for his successor.

In June, 1981, we warmly welcomed the Reverend John Auer and his family to our fellowship. As we go to press with our brochure [June 1981], we are just beginning to know John. However, we thank God for sharing his talent with us and We hope to be "an opportunity" for the Auer's.

Let us be "an opportunity" for you, also.

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The 345 Club is for third, fourth and fifth grade children, and meets at UCRP at least once a month. Activities include handicraft projects, field trips and projects related to the Church. 345 Club is supervised by adult leadership from within the Church.

6-7-8

The 678 Club is for sixth, seventh and eighth graders. The 678 Club meets about twice a month at United Church (during the school year) and is open to all children wishing to join the Club. Activities for the 678 Club include bake sales, field trips and activities in the Church functions.

High School Group

Open to all 9, 10, Il and 12th graders, the H.S. Group meets twice a month on Friday evenings.

Their actWites include overnight retreats at the Church, a Winter Retreat at a campground, decorating the Church for Easter morning and the staging of an amazing Fun House for the UCRP Halloween Party, which is popularly attended by children of all ages in the Rogers Park community. In addition, they have several social and business gatherings on their own — knowledge of which is known only to those under the age of 171

Other Groups

Our Church building is also utilized by several outside organizations which may be of interest and/or assistance to you and your family:

Sea Scouts

Boy Scouts

Jr. Girl Scouts

Brownies Alcoholics Anonymous (2 separate groups)

Rogers Park Tenants Association Rogers Park Day Care Center

After School Child Care Program

Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)

Sullivan and Field Schools'

Education Councils

Other Church Sponsored Activities

Bowling League

Men's Basketball

Monthly Potluck Suppers

Social Concerns

Monthly Administrative Board

Meetings