(815) 697-3006 | Worship every Sunday @ 10 a.m.
(815) 697-3006 | Worship every Sunday @ 10 a.m.
Learn more about our church, our congregation and our vision for our future.
We are delighted by your interest in our church, where everyone is family regardless of the distinctions between us. A place where people know your name and care about your spiritual growth. A mentoring place where people of all ages can share their spiritual gifts with others both during worship services and beyond. Where our live music and Praise band bring scripture to life and our congregation members have a voice in the church’s decisions and direction. A church where our children are nurtured and included as full participants, through activities such as our children’s choir, Vacation Bible Camp and children stories during Sunday services.
Not only do we care for each other, but we are an active partner in the communities we serve through participation in town celebrations and beautifications, and the opening of our church doors for families every Halloween night to provide a warm and welcoming spot for a break from the cold, a hot beverage and a snack.
It is our prayer that you and others join us in fellowship here, where we can worship God and care about each other as family and make a difference in our community.
It all started back in 1854 when Chebanse was laid out by the Illinois Central Railroad. In 1855, a layman by the name of Andrew Motter pre-empted a farm in the northwest quarter of Section 17, and knowing he had a call to preach, began assembling the people in available buildings. In 1863, the parsonage was built, followed by the building of what would be the Methodist Church in 1866. Two years later, on October 27, 1868, by call of committee, a council of Congregational Churches met at this Methodist Church to organize second church, the Congregational Church of Chebanse.
In 1904, meetings were held in a nearby town hall while waiting for the new building to be built. On October 2, 1904, the new church building was dedicated. The building cost $5,049.66, with furnishings provided by the Ladies Social Circle of the church. The Congregational parsonage was purchased in 1909, and electricity was put in the church in 1915. The church bell in the building, which was cast by N.C. Neely in West Troy, New York, came from the Congregational Church in Kankakee when it disbanded in 1872. Through negotiations by Mansfield Elliot, that bell was obtained by the United Church, and made its 8-mile trip in a lumber wagon to its new home. Later, in March of 1968, the Dossil Cloth and Cross at the front of the church were donated by DeWain Proctor in memory of his wife Anna. On the same day, the railings on the church steps were dedicated in memory of Dale Sparenberg and donated by his parents,
In 1920, a meeting was held to arrange a plan for the two churches to cooperate and retain their denominational identity. Articles of Federation were drawn up, and the church was named the United Church.
In 1951, the congregation again affiliated with a denomination, this time with the Congregational-Christian. On April 30, 1961, the Congregational-Christian Church of Chebanse voted to affiliate with the United Church of Christ.
The United Church of Chebanse is a small, uniquely quaint and close-knit congregation that warmly welcomes families in all their forms … where no one is a stranger and everyone is warmly invited to join in worship .. a peaceful, joyous, tranquil place where inspiration is alive in the words of the Pastor, the music of our Praise Band and choirs, and the fellowship of its members both during and after services. We strive to be a congregation that lives and loves all of God’s people, the way Jesus did, without prejudice or judgement.
We envision a church where the spiritual gifts and talents of each person are identified and fostered, where all feel empowered to live out the specific calling God has for them as individuals and as part of a community.
We envision a congregation that celebrates the energy and vitality of our youth through inclusion in worship services, music ministries and programs that give them opportunities to grow in their faith in a nurturing environment that encourages inquiry and personal expression.
We envision a congregation that offers a myriad of fellowship opportunities to our adult members, with a focus on sharing their personal faith journeys, experiences and challenges in an environment that is open to new ideas, questions and diversity of opinions.
We envision a congregation that identifies service opportunities that are meaningful and fill the needs of our wider community. We strive to be people who use their individual gifts and talents in ways that reflect a unique blend of leadership, compassion, and thankful living.
We envision an openminded congregation that celebrates its rich history and traditions while embracing the need to be progressive in a fast-paced, everchanging world, one that continually reviews its programs and services with an eye to the future while respecting the past.
We envision a fellowship of believers who make fellowship and faith such a part of their daily lives and part of our church that visitors both young and old, and families of all shapes, sizes and structures will choose to join us in making UCC Chebanse the warm, caring and compassionate place that it is now for many more years to come.
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