Year our church was founded (page 5)
April 15th, 1862 (that means we're 163 years old!)
In the beginning, how many ministers spent less than 2 years serving our congregation? (page 35)
22 - During the 1800s we were quite the revolving door for ministers. Finances were tights we and we didn't pay too well.
What fun week-long summer program was launched in 1993
Vacation Bible School (VBS) - the first program was called "Marketplace 29 A.D."
On June 7th, 2009 our church officially became an ONA congregations with not a single "no" vote cast.
What does ONA stand for?
Open and Affirming
We rejoice in our community of faith,
strengthened by diversity,
including diversity of culture,
economic status, age, ethnicity,
race, gender, sexual orientation,
gender identity, marital status, and
physical or mental abilities.
We affirm that God is glorified when
we welcome all people
to our spiritual community,
as Jesus did.
Wherever you are on life’s journey,
you are welcome here.
When they moved the church by rolling it down the hill from Stacy's Tavern, what did the ladies cook for the workmen? (page 8)
Chicken Pie - it was "of doubtful ancestry or age" and incapcitated the men who ate it...delaying the progress for several days!
The original name for Glen Ellyn was...(page 5)
Danby - (but really it goes Newton Station, Danby, Prospect Park, and eventually, Glen Ellyn)
This Reverand is a graduate of Yale Divinity School and was called in 2005.
Rev. Seth Ethan Carey - in 2011 he was promoted to execuative associate minister and today service as our Senior Minister
The current format in church school is based off this model (page 56)
Workshop Rotational Model - humans have different ways of learning and processing information, resulting in multiple intellidences
On June 6th, 2010 the congregation approved recognition of FCCGE as a "____ _____ _____" (page 78)
Global Mission Church - We agree to pray regularly for partneres, missionaries, and the world; educate our members...etc
In 2000, a new church structure was approved.
The Sunday after the new constitution went into effect, what happend to make a member say, "See, this isn't working. The __________________" (page 31)
"The candles weren't lit for the service" - take a look at the chart at the top of page 31.
The old constitution was deemed to restrictive and places more emphasis on management than on mission and ministry.
In 1875, 10 women in the Ladies Aid Soceity were passionate about purchasing a "mighty bell for the ages"
By 1883, How much money did they raise? (page 11)
$320 (about $10,000 in today's numbers)
When someone died, the bell tolled the numbers of years they had lived. The bell was used to call volunteer fireman from their houses. We still use it today! You can volunteer to ring it for a service!
This handbell director has published more than 45 compositions and arrangements
Matthew Prins - they usually practice on Tuesday nights. You can hear them on Christmas Eve and other select Sundays. You can also join!
2) Sonshine Theatre
3) Starlight Cinema
4) Lampost Arcade
An old theatre was closing and so we were able to get some donated theatre seats!
This local organization started in 1979 by a youth group at Grace Luthern Chuch to feed the hungry.
Glen House Food Pantry (old name Glen Ellyn Food Pantry) the board of directors consists of representative from area churchs, FCCGE is one of them.
This professor from Wheaton College served our church multiple times, but eventualy resigned in 1890 becuase of his healthc (page 36-37)
Prof. Herman Fischer - he went on to be a professor and treasurer at Wheaton College for over 50 years...."which might cause one to wonder if his experience at our congregation contributed to his poor health!"
In 1892, a lot was purchases and a new, larger wooden building was constructed @ Forest & Pennsylvania.
In what year was the current location of the church purchased for $6,500? (page 17)
1914 - at about 100 members we outgew the old building. By 1919 membership grew to 400 and a new brick building was built. By 1928 a large Gothic-revival sancuary w/ lower-level fellowship hall was built and attached.
This choir was disbanded in 2001. At the time Michele Hecht was the director of the "Celebration Choir" and a few months later was named Director of Music Ministry.
The Chancel Choir
TF2 (pronounced 'tee-eff-squared') was a youth fellowhsip program offered for what grades?
Third, Fourth, Fifth
Onward Neighborhood House - services also include day care, head start programs, after-school tutoring, social clubs, and senior programs. This is one of the many partnerships we have here at FCCGE.
On the wall in the stairwell near the West entrance there is a painting by Deb Helledy that was in celebration of our 150th anniversary - What is it a painting of? (page 88)
Birthday Cake Collage - Can you count the candles?!
FIRE - caused more than $1 million in damages. Careful reconstruction helped preserve the original stained glass, pews, and hardwood floors.
Jeff Haeger
Our internships are tailored to the needs of the intern rather than the needs of the church.
We intentionally want to help people determine where they should go
Do due this, FCCGE is considered a _______ _______. (page 64)
a Calling Church; Being a successful minister requires much more than a deep spiritual relationship with God. You need to connect and minister to an entire congregation and manage the operatinal aspects of the church!
In 1988 an FCCGE member and his friend rented an apartment for a homeless family. This is the act that inspired an entire mission now called.....(page 80)
Bridge Communities - provides housing and intentsive life-skills mentoring. Every first Saturday in November is Sleep Out Saturday where we sleep outside, do workshops based the homelessness experience, and raise funds that directly help our neighbors.
Are you participating this year?!?
Our total assest are close to 9 million! What number below is closest to the amount of the approved budget for the 25-26 fiscal yea
A) $3,000,000
B) $220, 000
C)$780, 0
D) 1,200,000
D) $1,200,000, well the actual number is $1,241,857
The UCC was formed in 1957 when two organizations - The Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Chrisitan churches - came together.
What year did FCCGE vote to become apart of the UCC? (page 26-27)
1961 - with a 605 yes & 230 no vote. The 2/3 majority needed for approval was met and the motion passed.
This ensemble plays occasionally during Communion Sundays or more somber services like Ash Wednesday and All Saint's Vespers. They use the prayerful and repetitive music borne out of a community in France.
Taizé Ensemble
Just like our denomination as a whole, FCCGE is a congregation of many "firsts"
In 1881, we opened the first ______ (page 68)
Library! - When the Glen Ellyn Library Association formed in 1907, FCCGE member Georgia Allen was its first librarian.
We also hosted the first graduation ceremony of Glenbard West High School (1894)
We also started the first Kindergarten (1898)
First boy scouts in the area (1917)
This contained the names of every person who has ever been a member of FCCGE. It was orginally made by Kay Wahlgren for out 125th anniversary and is updated by Sharon Wussow. (page 89)
Cloud of Witness Banner - is your family a member? Have you found your name? When do you think we will hang it again? - It is quite the project to help with!!
What was our total membership as of May 2025?
A) 800
B) 1200
C) 1600
D) 2000
C) 1600 - actual figure was 1,698. We have an average weekly in-person attendace of 160 and 35 children and youth. We also have an average of 142 online views.