CHURCH CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION - "Celebrating Our Past, Believing In Our Future" - We are celebrating our first hundred years as a Presbyterian church with events lasting throughout the 2008-2009 program year (September 2008 - April 2009).  First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton was accepted as the 100th congregation of the Chicago Presbytery on April 20, 1909.

As part of our Centennial Celebration we're sharing some brief nuggets of various families' favorite church memories.  Just click here for information about how to have your family's favorite moments in your history with the church added to the website for others in our church family to enjoy.

Centennial Memories of Katherine Powell Suhr

Kathy and Jim Suhr

Kathy Suhr presented her memories during worship services in June 2008. In April of 1909 my grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William Howard Monroe, became Charter Members of our Presbyterian Church. One of their eight children was my mother Harriet.   Throughout the years I heard many stories from my aunts and uncles about their experiences growing up in the church.  My Uncle Howard hand pumped the organ as a boy, and my Aunt Alice helped dig out the basement of the church for a social and recreation area for the teens.

I also heard about the family pew.  It seems families could rent out a pew on a yearly basis.  Talk about a way to raise money!   Visitors were shown to unrented pews unless a family was known to be away.  Only then were visitors shown better seats.

I cherish the memory as a young girl leading the processional on Sunday morning carrying the Chalice while my cousin, Dave Monroe, carried the Bible. Often the flag bearer in that procession was my brother Byron.

Almost 60 years ago, I can vividly remember the evening my father came home from a church meeting and announced "We did it! We raised the cash."

The year was 1950, and our church was then located at the corner of Hale and Seminary - behind the Gary Methodist Church.  Our very popular minister, Dr. Robert Stewart, ended his sermon one Sunday by shocking the congregation.  He basically stated that we had a great Sunday school with wonderful teachers; however the lack of space and facilities for the children was unacceptable; and if something wasn't done about it within the year, we could consider this his resignation.   Well - that got the congregation's attention!

A committee was quickly formed; and they considered many options before it was learned that the Dunbar Estate, which included a beautiful Georgian mansion and a whole city block, was for sale.  The members had 60 days in which to raise cash for the purchase.  This was the money my dad was talking about - all $75,000 of it - met on the day of the deadline!

On May 9, 1954 after the 11 o'clock worship service, the congregation left our little white church on Seminary to gather at the site of the new church building to witness the laying of the cornerstone.  This was a simple event, but oh so significant.  The first church service was held a few months later on November 21, 1954.

These are a few of my memories. I feel so fortunate to have grown up in this church.

Bill Hamilton Family History at First Pres

Since we were invited to share our family history for our Centennial Celebration, it seemed like a good opportunity to detail for my own family our history at First Pres!

Bill and I (along with his parents and our sons) moved to the area in 1964.  We were immediately mesmerized by Dr. Lower; and in 1965, joined the church.  Dr. Lower officiated at the memorial service for Bill’s Dad soon after that.  Subsequently other ministers lovingly filled the role for Bill’s mother (and for Bill).

We lived in West Chicago with our 3 small boys and made a concerted effort to involve our family in the life of the church.  Bill taught 4th grade Sunday School for several years and was the “Superintendant” of the Sunday School for some time as well.  The SS had its own worship service at that time, and I assisted with that.  Our 3 boys were confirmed at First Pres.  Bill served as Elder; and I served as Deacon, and later, Elder.  Bill’s biggest contribution was on the Buildings and Grounds Committee, and he eventually took over the care and planning of the church grounds.   He was asked to plan and execute the Fellowes Children’s garden and later fulfilled the same role for the Memorial Garden.

Bill was a horticulturist and loved all plant materials.  No environment was complete without some kind of fresh flowers.  He made it a point to always have a fresh arrangement in the foyer of the church.  I recall many a time when were planning  to be gone, our last stop before leaving town was to the church so Bill could place either a fresh (or dried, if we were to be gone a week or more) piece in the foyer.

My work at the church centered mostly in the drama and music programs; and I assisted in the “graded” children’s choir program, Logos, bell choir sub, and WM choir.  Early on, I was approached to form a high school choir; and we named it the Monks choir.  (The eldest Herndon girl, Debbie, was a member of that group; and some of our meetings were held in the Herndon home.)  When the husband/wife team of Jim and Sarah Williams came on staff, the numbers in all musical groups grew considerably; but the name “Monks” stuck for the high schoolers!  The Monks’ bell and singing choirs  traveled to Europe in the early 80’s.  Our son, Andy participated in those groups which numbered in the 50’s! 

In the 43 years we have been part of this church family our lives have been blessed and nurtured.  Thank you, First Presbyterian, and Thanks be to God!

Herndon Family Memories

Ann and John Herndon and their family joined First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton in 1966.  Ann shared some of their memories during the worship services on August 24, 2008. 

Just click on Herndon Family Memories to listen to them in mp3 audio format.

Memories of Mary Louise (Scottie) Houliston

Mary Louise (Scottie) Houliston and her family moved to Wheaton in about 1925 and promptly joined First Presbyterian Church. Now 98 years old, Scottie has been a member longer than anyone else still living. A video was made with some of her memories and is available in mp4 format for download and viewing.   The photo on the left is from the 2007 church directory.  The video was shown during the 8:40 and 11:00 a.m. worship services on October 12, 2008.