The ’60s, to some of us, is a metaphor for a time of protests, violence and assassinations. Public expressions of concern over civil rights and the war in Vietnam were ever present with marches that included friends and neighbors and that were the subject of varying concern by churches.
Among these churches were Oak Park’s neighboring congregations, First Presbyterian Church and First Congregational Church, where members became directly and indirectly involved, resulting in questions of the role of the Church in our society. While civil in nature, a consequence of such interest was lower membership.
The two churches, suffering the loss of those uncomfortable with such activities while maintaining large church buildings — expenses to maintain them, as well as staff to serve their membership — sought a practical solution. In 1970 the idea of a merger of the two struggling churches into one stronger congregation, involving not only traditional worship but also continued involvement in, and service to, the wider community beyond Oak Park’s borders, was discussed and approved.
To be resolved: Who will be the pastor of the combined church and which building would be used?
Which building to use was solved, for an extended period, by services alternating between the two buildings until it was apparent which building provided the most useful space and which facilities’ long-term expenses would cost less. A major issue was the 100-plus years of family history and physical involvement in the respective buildings. Only the passage of time would resolve this.
As one building would be sold. It was readily agreed that the sale proceeds would be exclusively used for the merged church’s ongoing and expanded mission to the greater local, national, and international community.
The resulting sale funds, upwards of 2-3 million dollars, exists today as the Special Mission Endowment Fund (SMEF).
It was further covertly agreed that the two strong and highly regarded preachers (William Killem and Fred Momenthy) would alternate services every six weeks and facilitate a harmonious mixing of the congregations until they were functioning as one unified body with a common orientation to the future of the United Church.
At that point, both ministers would leave about the same time for other positions in their respective denominations, resulting in the new First United Church of Oak Park to select its own minister.
This was done with great success with the selection of Rev. Edward Bergstraesser. So successful that First United is now celebrating the 50th anniversary of that merger.
Bob Downs
First United Church member
Oak Park