The First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn United Church of Christ, gives off a sense of history and majesty. A soaring building of brick on the corner of Forest and Anthony, the church has spires that shoot into the sky. The church's cornerstone indicates that it was placed in 1927, and inside, one feels the sense of generations of worshipers having sung, prayed and reflected in the sanctuary. In addition to a Sunday worship service, the church offers programs for kids, moms with children, Bible studies and classes that have covered such topics as the Bible and ecology and the Bible and food. Led by Senior Minister Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel and Associate Minister Rev. Seth Carey, the church features a sanctuary filled with wooden pews and a substantial pipe organ. From the ceiling, a white banner hangs with these words: "God is still speaking."
Our Lady of The Wayside is a Catholic community of nearly 3,000 houses in the Chicago area; the church itself was established in 1952. Our Lady of The Wayside offers a comprehensive array of services for parishioners, including multiple daily liturgies and weekend masses, the performance of sacraments, such as marriage, reconciliation, confirmation, baptism and the anointing of the sick, children's and youth ministries, adult education, community events, athletic activities and many more opportunities for involvement in the parish.
First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn has expanded over the years and now includes several buildings. Located on the corner of Main Street and Cottage Avenue, First Presbyterian's services include Sunday School and a host of programs for children, teens, adults and seniors. Its campus includes an education wing, sanctuary, administrative offices and a large gym complete with basketball hoops. On the third Saturday of each month, families from the congregation get together to share food, worship and participate in activities to bring families closer together in a program called Saturday Night Alive.
The International House of Prayer Chicago is the local chapter of the International House of Prayer, an evangelical missionary organization based in Kansas City.
The church caters to young adults and seeks to engage young people in praying 24/7. All denominations are welcome to attend prayer at any point, and services are held every two hours. The church is open for roughly 100 hours per week but is in the process of increasing its hours in order to keep its doors open around the clock for prayer and services.
The International House of Prayer Chicago is located in the same shopping mall as Century Tile off Bolingbrook Drive, and is visible from I-55.
Lake View Lutheran Church is dedicated to bringing the community together to strengthen individual relationships with God. The church regularly holds events and fundraisers and many members of the congregation volunteer in the community. Lake View Lutheran Church is located two blocks east of the Red line Addison stop.
Located in downtown Homewood, St. Paul's Community Church was founded in 1865 by German immigrants. The church's mission is to spread the good news of God through outreach programs such as PADS, charitable work, worship and education.
Funded in 1978, Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church counts over 800 families in its congregation. The church has just completed construction on its brand new facility, just West of the Elmhurst Hospital Outpatient Clinic. Elmhurst Christian hosts several youth ministry programs and organizes several mission trips per year.
Like many other churches in Lemont, St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church began in the mid-19th century when the area was being settled by European immigrants. After decades of growth, a fire destroyed the inside of the church in 1918. During the rebuilding process, the congregation used Bethany Lutheran Church's facilities to hold its worship services.
Today, the St. Matthew congregation still operates in the rebuilt facility on Lemont Street. In addition to weekly worship services, the church offers Bible studies, youth groups, Sunday School, music ministries and service opportunities.
Grace Fellowship Church, one of Mokena's newer churches, continuously seeks out ways to connect with its congregation. Instead of a choir, it has a worship team that plays contemporary church songs on guitars and drums. When a recent study of British men found that singing in church was a deterrent for them to attend, Grace Fellowship introduced an earlier, "2-The-Point" service, which is the regular service with the music removed (services with music continue at their regular time).
Grace Fellowship also has youth, men's and women's ministries, Bible study and small groups.
Headed by Pastor Michael LeBuhn, Calvary Assembly of God was founded in 1931. The church’s mission is to help parishioners develop a fulfilling relationship with God through fellowship groups and Bible study. Additional services include youth groups and blogs, which give parishoners the chance to ask questions and seek clarification on Biblical and worldly issues.
The Church of Scientology is a religious institution with a facility in Lake View. The church is founded on tenants including an aversion to drug use, the value of education, a dedication to human rights and the reformation of criminals.
The First Baptist Church of La Grange was founded in 1884, five years after La Grange became a village. Today, it continues to anchor the Baptist community, offering choir, youth and adult Bible studies and a slew of special events listed on its online calendar and its newsletter, Chimes. In addition to its own programs, the First Baptist Church of La Grange hosts the Cub Pack 39 and Scout Troop 39 and a career resource center. It also allocates space to the St. Francis Xavier School East Campus.
This parish is located on the corner of 103rd Street and Kolmar Avenue. St. Nicholas operates several youth programs, evening adult Bible study groups and choir practices. It also erected Dochios Kamberos Community Center annexed to the church, which features a large gym for recreational activities.
Founded in 1888 by "faithful laywoman" Christina Johnson, First United Methodist is one of the oldest congregations in Western Springs and features "open hearts, open minds and open doors." Programs include Sunday school for adults and children, men's and women's groups, a "Parents' Day Out" twice-a-week child-care program, a BEDS once-a-week homeless shelter and a "Church of Rock" program that brings local and traveling bands to the church. Pastor Dean Shapley presides, and notably also serves as chaplain to the Western Springs police and fire departments. The church chapel is open 24 hours a day.