It’s a joyous time at the First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield as they celebrate its 150th anniversary. Three events on May 2 and 3 commemorate the occasion. A gala dinner featuring Dr. Heath Carter, who will speak about a book he wrote regarding religion in Chicago in the 1800s; a worship service with guest speakers; and a concert by the 150th Anniversary Festival Choir.
Everyone is invited to join the celebration by visiting the church to see “Exhibits of Faith,” a walk-through installation that will be on display through May 15. It can be viewed at the church, 824 Waukegan Road, during the hours the church is open, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and during service times on Sunday.
Suzan Hawkinson, pastor of the church for 15 years, said that the exhibit “will lift up the values that we feel have been with us like a root from the past all the way through to our story now. There’ll be exhibits on worship, on music, on education, on fellowship, on mission. Each of them will look at what was and what the present reality of it is. And what are some of the challenges and hopes in that arena moving forward?”
The exhibit was created by Kathy Heid, a member of the congregation for almost 25 years, who serves as a communications consultant for the church.
Heid noted that the exhibit includes historical photos going back to 1876. There are also samples of children’s programs from the 1800s and early 1900s, as well as small leather school attendance books that were handwritten by the founders of the church.
“In one of the main display areas, we have an art installation set up,” Heid revealed. “The visual includes nine antique chairs that surround the original organ. That organ was carried in a wheelbarrow to each of the founders’ houses before there was an actual church. Behind the nine founders’ chairs are two church pews that are currently used in our sanctuary. Behind that is a television. On the TV, our worship services are broadcast via YouTube so they can be seen across the world.” (By the way, there’s even a wheelbarrow in the exhibit!)
Heid explained that the installation shows the history of worship within the church.
Hawkinson declared that there are many reasons to celebrate the church because of its numerous good deeds throughout the years, for the community and beyond.
“We are a centralizing spirit for our village,” Hawkinson said. “We are a part of the religious community in active ways, but also a part of the community sense and service arm of our community.”
Hawkinson cited many examples.
“It’s our church that when there was a need for a Pads homeless shelter became a home for it,” she said. When there was water damage to the food pantry several years ago, within 48 hours, the food pantry was set up in the church’s community space.
In addition, all religions are welcome in the church, Hawkinson noted.
“We’ve been the home for a South Asian congregation and a Muslim prayer group. We are the space for a Jewish congregation’s high holy days,” Hawkinson said. “We consider ourselves as open doors for all people who are seeking to grow in faith.”
Boy Scout Troop 52 has met at the church for an amazing 99 years.
The church has spread goodwill and good deeds to other countries as well. They have been connected to the ministry in Yucatan, Mexico for 54 years.
“Our church has supported the building of a church, a pastor’s residence, a school, a community building, and public bathrooms in the impoverished areas behind all the resort areas in Yucatan,” Hawkinson said.
They also built parts of a hospital, an elementary school, a junior high school, and a community center in Ghana, Africa.
Hawkinson observed that congregants tend to stay at the church _ for generations.
Lorraine Clark and her family joined the church in 1968. She was ordained in the 1970s, the first woman in the congregation to earn that honor. “It was very unusual for women to be an ordained elder at the time,” Clark noted. “But I thought that was something I had the skills to do, and our pastor thought it would be appropriate.”
Clark had the honor of preaching from the pulpit last year for the 149th anniversary.
Helen Kuhl’s mother attended the church, she attends the church, and so do her daughter and her grandchildren.
She calls her association with the church, “One of the greatest joys of my life.”
Kuhl credits the longevity of the church on “the strength of the youth program. It was very strong when my children were young and it continues to be a strong focus for the entire congregation.”
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
