First Presbyterian Church of Downers Grove

our church

80 Years of History

The First 25 Years

First Presbyterian Church of Downers Grove began in 1924. Sunday School Classes and worship services were held in homes, and in April of 1925, under the active leadership of the Rev. Frederick (Frank) Hatch, a contract was signed for the purchase of the Kramb House as a temporary chapel. In 1927, the Rev. Quirinus Breen was called from Grand Rapids to become our new pastor. It was during this time that the United Brethren Church on the north side of Fourth Street was purchased. Dr. Samuel W. Findley was called in November of 1931 to replace Rev. Breen. During Rev. Findley's pastorate, the Men's and Ladies' Choruses were organized, Adult Bible Classes were strengthened, and community outreach continued. In December of 1938, the Rev. J. Douglas Clyde took over the spiritual leadership of the church. And during his ministry, the church became self-supporting and and once again looked ahead with renewed hopes of expansion. In October 1941, under the guidance of the Rev. Harry A. Turner, the church had plans drawn up for a new building which was dedicated in November 1944. In November 1945, the Rev. Turner resigned the pastorate and the Rev. Robert F Burns, Jr., student minister succeeded him.

The Second 25 Years

On November 23, 1947, Dr. William J. B. Tate became Pastor and ushered in a period of rapid expansion and growth. Son of an Irish minister, Tate started out to follow a career in engineering. He soon turned his sights to the ministry, however and came alone to the United States to begin his studies at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. After being ordained, he spent the next 18 years with the United Church of Canada in various capacities. His last position, before accepting a calling to Downers Grove, was a full-time Radio Minister, reaching an audience of some 75,000 persons in the remote regions of the Northern Territories.

The Downers Grove congregation continued to grow under the aggressive leadership of Rev. Tate, sponsoring an active Bible Study group, choir concerts, Church dinners, youth programs, and a tireless Women's Association.

In September 1954, a new Christian Education addition was opened and relieved the overcrowed conditions which had forced some Sunday School activities to the nearby Whittier School. With 3 worship services being held each Sunday to accommodate the growing congregation of 450, plans were begun in 1957 for a new sanctuary which would allow the old church to be used as a chapel and classrooms. The new building would provide seating for over 400 worshippers and a full basement with modern kitchen and hall for other church functions or classrooms. The new church was dedicated on January 25, 1959 and ready for use on May 17, 1959. With an eye to the future, the Seventh Street manse was exchanged for two lots and a house adjacent to the church property on Fourth Street in 1971. This land is now part of the main parking lot.

After serving as pastor for 27 years, Dr. Tate retired from First Presbyterian Church of Downers Grove, June 30, 1974. As an expression of their love and appreciation for his dedicated service, the congregation conferred upon him the title of Pastor Emeritus until his death in 1988.

The Presbytery assigned Dr. Lawrence Schwarz, a retired clergyman, to serve as interim minister during the crucial search for a new pastor until August 1975. The choice was a good one. Not only was his wife, Margret, an accomplished organist (who filled in for 5 months when our organist unexpectedly resigned) but also prepared the congregation for new leadership by constantly changing the order of worship, choice of music and use of lay leaders, that we might easily adapt to a new pastor's leadership style.

The Third 25 Years

In August 1975, Dr. Paul Salansky became pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Downers Grove. He brought fresh sheperding skills and a participatory leadership style to the congregation which helped usher in a period of momentous spiritual and personal growth.

At the time Pastor Paul arrived, a single worship service was held at 10 a.m. with church school classes meeting simultaneously. The schedule virtually ruled out adult classes. If parents were to experience the joy and challenge of spiritual growth, then the worship schedule needed changing. Thereupon, the Session directed that Sunday School be held at 9:30 a.m, with worship to begin at 10:45 a.m. This spirit-directed change soon found as many adults enrolled in Sunday school as children! With church school thriving and almost 100 adults enrolled in a wide variety of classes, the Spirit led members to discover the inspiration and energizing aura of Renewal Weekends.

Early in 1976, Pastor Paul introduced the Deeper Life Conference. Pastor and lay persons from a Minnesota church came to share what God was doing in their lives and to lead small group discussions on pertinent questions. So successful was it that the Session voted to hold a renewal every two years. The Paths to Discovery in 1978 was directly responsible for the formation of additional Koinonia groups which strengthened the spiritual life and fellowship of the congregation. In 1980, our church planned and hosted its own, Next Steps, with a variety of workshops and guest leaders helping us to grow in our individual relationship with Christ, in our relationship with one another, and in our commitment to minister in Christ's name to those in need.

The Boards of the Church meets jointly at a retreat to review the past year and set goals for the future. To help attain its goals in 1985, the staff was enlarged to include a full time Christian Education Director and Youth Director. An Associate Pastor Nominating Commitee began the search for an Associate Pastor. On October 16, 1985, the Rev. David Prichard was installed and assumed responsibilities in the areas of youth ministry, evangelism/outreach and pastoral care. Three years later, Rev. Prichard felt God's leading to serve elsewhere and accepted a call as Pastor of First Presbyerian Church in Bergen, New York.

In 1985, under the leadership of Dr. Salansky and aided by Church Growth Services, a comprehensive Strategic Plan for Growth for First Presbyterian Church was recieved by Session. In 1987 when neighboring properties which would allow for much needed parking space and additional classroom space became available for purchase, the church acted. Cornerstone 21: Building for the Twenty-first Century was the Capital Funds Drive of 1988 which sought $450,000 primarily for purchase of propery, support of New Church Development of the Presbytery, and architectural fees. The intended property purchases were made and the improvements completed. In 1987, the First Presbyterian Church was changed form a Bicameral to Unicameral form of Government.

After pastoring First Presbyterian Church of Downers Groves for 15 years, Dr. Salansky retired at the end of June 1990, leaving memories over the years of warm friendships, innovative changes and a sound and fruitful ministry. In recongnition of his commited service, the congregation conferred upon their former minister, the title, Pastor Emeritus.

Rev. Jerry Andrews, an excellent preacher, teacher and former Pennsylvania pastor and doctorate candidate candidate at the University of Chicago, was called to served as interim pastor from July 1990 to December 1991. Pastor Jerry was always impressed by the congregation's enthusiasm, continued commitment and growth in all areas of church life even while they diligently sought a new pastor.

On November 17, 1991, the congregation called Dr. David Bianchin as Pastor. He and his wife, Julie, and children John, Sarah and Benjamin have brought new vitality to our church. Pastor Dave, whose hobby is not only playing the guitar but building them as well, is an outstanding preacher and teacher. Under Pastor Dave's leadership; the role of session members has been redefined as spiritual leaders rather than just managers of our church, establishing active ministry groups and holding yearly officer retreats, training and goal setting.

In 1993, the Elders drafted a Mission Statement to help ministries focus on the current direction of the church. In 1998, the Mission Statement was further revised and now reads as follows:

Seeking to glorify God by developing His people in godliness, we are an inter-generational church family, and a supporting, loving community. We exist to bring people into a living relationship with Jesus Christ. We provide ministries for: Dynamic worship of God, vigorous study of His Word, Loving care for one another, Commitment to His work in our community and throughout the world, and Sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Dave has conscientiously followed through on the Long Range Planning Program, Cornerstone 21, initiated before his term as pastor. Following His Lead, a new capital funds drive undertaken in 1999, raised approximately $500,000 for which new improvements are planned.

On June 13, 2004, the congregation extended a call Rev. Robert Price to become the church's associate pastor. Pastor Bob is responsible for the O.N.E.W.A.Y. youth ministry program and global missions in addition to other pastoral responsibilities.

Pastor Bob, his wife Marilee and their three children, have been quickly welcomed into the family of believers here at First Presbyterian Church and we look forward to the impact they will have on our lives.