OUR HISTORY
established in 1854
The Van Meter House, 1854
how it all began
Our church was first organized in July, 1854, after new rails signaled promise of growth to the German and Swiss families who had found their way to Chicago from another part of the world. They had heard stories about the little town south of Chicago looking for pioneers who could see their dreams in a river and a railroad.
The summer of that year brought many hopeful men and women to Kankakee looking for a better life. They checked into The Van Meter House (pictured to the left, then located on the south side of Oak Street between Entrance and 4th Avenues).
On one very hot Sunday afternoon in July, a group of 12 gathered in the parlor of the Van Meter House to hear Reverend George Vetter, a circuit rider from Naperville, talk about Christianity. That “meeting” initiated more “meetings” and the group became a congregation and the “parlor” became a church. Soon they outgrew the parlor and moved to a schoolhouse on Oak Street.
a short history of Saint Mark UMC
Since that warm, new beginning in 1854, much has happened. The congregation has sponsored global missionaries, several young ministry students, partnered in local community outreach and lived through 3 names, (The Evangelical Church, The First Evangelical United Brethern Church, and Saint Mark United Methodist Church), 3 buildings, (Washington, and Chestnut Church, Court and Washington Avenues Church, and the present building at 1200 W Calista Street), several wars, and hundreds of births, baptisms, marriages, and deaths.
The Red, Brick Church, 1887-1955
From "then" to "now"
Between 1887 and 1955, the congregation met in a red brick church, which was erected at the corner of Court Street and Washington Avenue. In 1954 ground was broken for a new edifice located at 1200 West Calista Street, the present site of the church.
The first service in the present building was held on June 12, 1955 and was followed by a week of dedicatory events which culminated in the actual service of dedication, held on June 19, 1955.
Known at the time as the First Evangelical United Brethren Church, the name was changed to Saint Mark United Methodist Church in 1968 as a result of a union of the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren denominations.
AND NOW...
Since moving into our building in 1955 and changing our name in 1968, we have been worshipping God faithfully and plan to continue worshipping God, teaching others, having memorable moments of fellowship, sharing the gospel with everyone who comes in contact with our Church, and discipling every person who gives us a chance to help them along life’s unrelenting journey.
