Churches
Churches of Palatine, Illinois
Source: Daily Herald newspaper published by Paddock Publications of Arlington Heights, IL
First United Methodist Church of Palatine
In 1835 a dozen Methodist neighbors along Ela Road worshiped in the one-room Cady family log cabin. By 1848, a great revival brought 80 converts to the congregation. Rev. Thomas Cochran led plans to build a white frame church at Wood Street and Plum Grove Road in 1858. In 1891, Reverend William Smith designed the red brick North Church. This was dedicated in 1895 on the site of the original church.
The church was remodeled in 1927 and a new pipe organ installed. The North Church was enlarged in 1952. Rapid growth required the rental of space at Wood Street and Oak Street Schools. The church celebrated its centennial in 1957 and a new sanctuary begun on Plum Grove Road and Wilson Street. In 1968 a parlor, offices, library and education wing were added. Volunteers worked for two years in 1974 restoring the building and adding a fine arts center.
The sanctuary was renovated in 1992. The organ was rebuilt and dedicated to Mercie Heise, who served as organist for over 60 years. Construction began in 2006 on new office space and the Wesley Center, a multipurpose facility to replace the North Church. Stained glass windows graced the expanded lobby. In 2007 the church celebrated its Sesquicentennial, 150 years of service to God and community. (Courtesy of the Church’s website.)
St. John United Church of Christ
St. John Church was organized by German settlers in 1846 and met in private homes or at Highland Grove School (Ela Road a quarter mile south of Algonquin Road). The first church building was constructed in 1854 on the Ottman site a half mile west of the current church. In 1867, land was acquired at the current site, 1475 West Algonquin Road. A church with a stone foundation was built by Christian Brinchmann just west of an old cemetery known as “Highland Cemetery”, Plum Grove Cemetery” and “St. Johannes Cemetery at Wycliffe”. The church itself has had several names over the years.
In 1882, fire destroyed the church and school on the Ottman site. The church and school were rebuilt at the current site. A lightning strike in 1885 destroyed the church and its cemetery records. Mr. Brinchmann rebuilt the church that year. A new church bell was cast by Henry McShane Bell Foundry of Baltimore, MD and is still in use today. A pipe organ was built (it is thought, by Emil Witzman).
Rows of horse sheds were removed in 1925 when automobiles became popular. By 1928 English had replaced the German language in church services. Electricity arrived in 1938. The schoolhouse was moved in 1947 to 215 South Brockway Street for use as a privately-owned residence. In 1954 or 1956 an addition with plumbing provided for offices, washrooms, a library and a kitchen. The pipe organ was repaired and retuned in time for the 150th anniversary in 1996. In 2013, a gazebo was built and is a favorite place for weddings. (Courtesy of the church’s website)
The Congregational Church of Plum Grove
The Congregational Church of Plum Grove was organized in 1849 in southeast Palatine Township at Plum Grove. Almost no church records survive, so it is unclear if the congregation ever built an actual church edifice, or if they, like St John at the time, met in the local schoolhouse or homes of members. According to a letter of reference written by church clerk, Bancroft A. Bailey, the Congregational Church of Plum Grove’s original organization was on June 4th, 1849. The church’s original members included Abel and Sarah Jones; Mark and Mehetable Morse; Daniel and Harriet Gould; Sarah P Draper; Sarah Gay; Altie Howe; the Rev J. A. Hallock and his daughter, Minerva Hallock. Other members included Bancroft A. and Amos Bailey; Oren, Rachel and Lucy Ford; Mark W. and Mariette Sawyer.1 As of 1853, the Rev. William Holmes served as pastor. In April of 1853, a constituent meeting was called to complete the organization of the Chicago Congregational Association. This meeting was comprised of four ministers from Chicago, two from Elgin, two from Waukegan, one from Plum Grove, one from Ottawa and one from Milwaukee. The Reverend William Holmes of Plum Grove was elected
Moderator and served as Registrar. At the time, this newly formed Chicago Congregational Association represented the largest Congregational Association in the country.2; the Congregational Church of Plum Grove was short lived at just over ten years. It’s last official meeting was held on February 25, 1860, after which, the congregation disbanded, and the Congregational Church of Plum Grove became extinct.
The Rev. William Holmes went on to serve a year at the Babcock Grove church, then as a missionary in Southern Illinois, at Sparta, afterwards DuQuoin and then South Pass, now Cobden. Rev Holmes passed away at Downieville, California in 1875.3
Sources can be found here
The Disciple Church
The Disciple Church was organized in 1858. Members worshiped at a private house and a school house. A church building was erected in 1865 on a lot donated by Joel Wood at Plum Grove Road and Wood Street. The church grew to 70 members, but then suffered from removals and deaths. By 1870, it ceased to exist and the property was sold to the Methodists. (Courtesy of “The History of Cook County”)
The black and white photo of Immanuel Lutheran Church below is also a photo of the original Disciple Church.
Immanuel Lutheran Church
In 1869, eleven families met at the train depot to discuss the formation of a Lutheran congregation. Before that, a minister from Schaumburg Township held services every other Sunday at the Masonic building at Wilson and Bothwell Streets. A week later the membership was formally organized. Four acres were purchased southwest of Greeley Street and Washington Street including the cemetery. The cemetery was formally dedicated and plans progressed for a church building on that site. Lack of funds held up the building of the church and eventually the land was sold to H. C. Batterman. With that money a church building formerly used by the Disciple Church was bought at 200 North Plum Grove Road. A parsonage was built to the north of the church.
In 1873, the congregation joined the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri. Services were held in German until after the turn of the century when English services were held once a month. Since 1943, all services are in English. The present church building was dedicated in 1970 and additions have since been built.
Courtesy of Patch
St. Paul United Church of Christ
In 1870, many of the members of St. John’s Church had moved to the village of Palatine. In order to serve them better, mission work began. Services were held at the old Masonic Hall. The next year, the congregation was organized and named the German United Evangelical St. Paul’s Congregation. The first church building was dedicated in 1872 at 144 East Palatine Road (then known as Chicago Avenue) and a parsonage built at 1 North Oak Street. The parsonage burned in 1897 and was replaced the same year. In 1925 a new brick building replaced the wooden one. An addition was added in 1955. In 1957, the church’s name became St. Paul United Church of Christ. In 1971, the church celebrated 100 years of service by remodeling the sanctuary. In 1985, a new entrance was added and remodeling was done to make the church handicapped accessible.
Salem Evangelical Church
Circuit riders from DesPlaines held services among the early Plum Grove settlers. John Nordmeier donated land at Plum Grove and Kirchoff Roads to build a church. There is no record of when it was built but it was struck by lightning and burned in the early 1890’s. Another church was built at the same location. In 1912, a lot was purchased at Plum Grove Road and Lincoln Street and the building was moved into town. The congregation gradually shrank and disbanded in 1955. The building was sold to the Lutheran Church. The Salem Cemetery at Plum Grove and Kirchoff Roads still exists on the land once belonging to this church.
Courtesy MapQuest
St. Theresa Catholic Church
The church held its first Mass on the second floor of the old village hall at 117 West Slade Street in 1930. Boxing matches at the Palatine Fair Grounds helped raise money for the building fund. It broke ground for its first building at 35 West Wood Street in 1941. A convent at 123 North Brockway Street housed nuns. Running out of room, it bought five acres at 467 North Benton Street in 1952. A school and convent opened in 1954. Cardinal Stritch dedicated the school in 1955 and Cardinal Meyer dedicated the church in 1961. The old church became the home of Santa Teresita Church for the Hispanic community. The parish purchased 13 acres along Northwest Highway in 1967. It added a gymnasium, parking lot and play area. In 1992 the convent on the property was converted to a preschool, all-day kindergarten and offices. The church and school were remodeled in 2000.
Palatine Bible Church
The earliest reference to the Palatine Bible Church in the Daily Herald was to a meeting at Bradwell School at Bradwell and Ela Roads in 1941. The church, also known as Northwest Suburban Bible Church, held meetings in the village hall in 1945. Members erected a church at 312 East Wood Street in 1949. It dedicated a new organ in 1950. The building was occupied by Evangelical Community Church from 1996 – 2014. It was purchased by Good News in the Neighborhood in 2022.
St. Philip’s Episcopal Church
St. Philip’s Episcopal Church was formed in 1947 and held its meetings at the Masonic Hall at 1 North Plum Grove Road. The church at 342 East Wood Street was dedicated in 1949. In 1952, local architect Charles Klopp helped design a new stone sanctuary and nave. A granite altar was donated to the church in memory of Stanley Pepper in 1957. In 1991, Conrad Schmitt Studios built a mosaic pattern on the floor to compliment the stained glass windows.
Courtesy Google Street View
Christ Lutheran Church
Christ Lutheran Church was formed in 1953 and held its first services at Oak Street School. A church at 41 South Rohlwing Road was dedicated in 1955. In 1961, a new building was added. The old building was used for overflow. An addition was built in 1968 and new classrooms and offices dedicated a year later.
New Hope Community Church
First Baptist Church of Palatine was organized in 1956. They dedicated their first building, a red brick edifice, in 1959 at Kirchoff and Hicks Roads.
Courtesy Daily Herald 5-7-1959
The church was forced to move to Jane Addams School in 1963 because of construction along Route 53. In 1965, members broke ground on a new site at 1023 East Palatine Road. An education wing was added in 1969. In 2000, the name was changed to New Hope Community Church.
Courtesy Google Street View
Deer Park Seventh-Day Adventist Church
Forest Glen Seventh-Day Adventist Church began raising funds in 1958. In 1963, they began building a church at 2367 North Quentin Road. It was dedicated in 1968. In 2005, it changed its name to Deer Park Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
Courtesy Google Street View
The Presbyterian Church of Palatine
The first worship service of the Presbyterian Church of Palatine was held on November 23, 1958 in the newly built, but unoccupied, Winston Park School. Rev. John C. Talbot was the first pastor. Congregants raised money to build an edifice at 800 East Palatine Road and hired local architect Carl Teutsch, Jr. to draw up plans. The cornerstone was laid in 1961 for what was then the tallest building in Palatine. The congregation purchased an organ from a church in Augusta, Georgia and volunteers, led by Tom Bagley, dismantled it, transported it and rebuilt it. The sanctuary was completed in 1962.
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses
The Palatine Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses is recorded in the Daily Herald as meeting at 239 East Illinois Avenue as early as 1960.
Courtesy Google Street View
New Apostolic Church
The New Apostolic Church opened in 1960 at the northwest corner of Hicks and Kirchoff Roads. In 1970, Cook County approved the sale of the land to Marathon Oil Co. over the objections of the City of Rolling Meadows. The building was demolished and the church met temporarily at Seventh-Day Adventist Church at 2367 North Quentin Road. A new edifice was built at 845 East Glencoe Road around 1977. Thrive Vineyard Church took over the building in 2013.
Courtesy Google Street View
Countryside Church Universalist Unitarian
This church held its first meetings at the Highland Grove School on Algronquin Road, a quarter mile south of Ela Road in 1960. They have since moved to their current location on 1025 North Smith Street.
Courtesy Google Street View
Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church.
The first services of the Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church took place in 1960 at St. Theresa Catholic Church located at 35 West Wood Street. Property was purchased in 1962 at 745 South Benton Street and the building completed by 1969. The rectory was completed in 1975. In 1988, craftsman Petro Hasiuk oversaw the building of the bell tower with bronze bells. Craftsman T. Wandzura designed stained glass windows in 1998.
Courtesy Google Street View
Mision San Juan Diego
St. Theresa Catholic Church moved out of its building at 35 West Wood Street in 1961 and a Hispanic Ministry was started in the building which became known as Santa Teresita Church. The building was remodeled in 1981 and the rectory purchased in 1982. In 1997, the name was changed to Mision San Juan Diego. A new temple was consecrated at 2323 North Wilke Road in 2002.
St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic Church
Cardinal Albert Meyer appointed Fr. John Wall, who named the parish St. Thomas of Villanova. The land was purchased in the Winston Park subdivision. Ground breaking ceremonies took place for the school building in 1962. In 1963, the rectory (1138 Anderson Street) and the convent (1152 Anderson Street) were purchased. The first mass was celebrated in the church space located in the school. St. Thomas of Villanova School opened with grades 4, 5, and 6 in 1963. The new Church building was dedicated in 1969.
St. Thomas celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1986. During 2002-2003 a groundbreaking ceremony and dedication was held for a hall, office, and meeting rooms. In 2009, preparation began for St. Thomas’s 50th anniversary in 2011. Renovation of the church was scheduled. In 2011, a series of planned celebrations began, culminating in the dedication and blessing of the church and grounds with Cardinal Francis George.
Courtesy Google Street View
Palatine First Assembly of God
The Palatine First Assembly of God began meeting on Rand Road near Wilke Road in 1963. By 1974, they were at 200 East Home Avenue. The Northwest Assembly of God occupied the building in 2012.
Courtesy Google Street View
First Church of Christ, Scientist
The First Church of Christ, Scientist began meeting at Oak Street School in 1963. An open house was held in a new building at 1 South Rohlwing Road in 1965.
Courtesy Google Street View
Courtesy Google Street View
Christ the King Lutheran Church
Christ the King Lutheran Church began in 1969. The congregants met at Palatine Savings & Loan and later at Thomas Junior High School in Arlington Heights. The church broke ground at 100 West Michigan Avenue in 1974 and began services there in 1975.
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
In June of 1969, the Mission Board of the Northern Illinois District of Lutheran Churches purchased land at 1190 North Hicks Road for a new church. In February of 1971, the first worship service was held in the basement of Virginia Lake School with 150 people attending. Ground breaking ceremonies for the first church building were held in September of that year. The congregation was chartered as Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and Rev. Kleidon installed as the first pastor. The first worship service in the newly constructed building was held on August 6, 1972. Groundbreaking on a 7,000 square foot addition of classrooms, a choir room, a fellowship hall/gymnasium, washrooms, storage space, a kitchen, and an extended lobby was held on Easter Sunday of the following year. In June of 1994, groundbreaking was held for a second building expansion. A year later the first worship service was held in the newly expanded sanctuary. A third building expansion was completed in 2002-2003.
Quentin Road Baptist Church
The Quentin Road Bible Church was built on five acres at 721 South Quentin Road in 1972. In 1984, the church moved to a 40-acre site at 24126 North Quentin Road in Lake Zurich. By 2011, it was primarily known as Quentin Road Baptist Church.
Courtesy Daily Herald
May 10, 1980
Sikh Religious Society
The Sikh Religious Society began in 1972 and completed construction of its permanent home on its 14-acre campus at 1280 Winnetka Street in 1978. In 2010 the Society planned to add an illuminated gold dome. (Courtesy the Daily Herald 6-3-2005, 9-8-2010)
St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church
St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church was formed in 1974. The first services were held at Rolling Meadows High School. The church purchased five acres of land at 133 South Roselle Road in 1976 and renovated a building on the property which became “The Chapel”. Five more acres were purchased and in 1983 a much larger church edifice completed. By 1989, a community center was attached to the church. Five more acres were added in 1996. A gymnasium was dedicated in 2006.
Courtesy Google Street View
Willow Creek Community Church
Willow Creek Community Church was founded in 1975 and held its services at Willow Creek Theatre, 360 Creekside Drive. In 1980, it was meeting at 863 South Vermont Street. In 1981, it moved to its current location at 67 East Algonquin Road in South Barrington.
Courtesy Daily Herald
February 8, 1982
Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church
In 1970, the Mission began meeting at Grace Lutheran Church in Prospect Heights and then in the cafeteria at Prospect High School. In 1975, property was purchased at 1449 North Quentin Road. The house on the property served as a rectory which was eventually remodeled into a chapel. A larger edifice was built in 1983. That building became the parish hall of the new Church in 2005.
Courtesy Google Street View
All Saints Lutheran Church
All Saints Lutheran Church began meeting at Fremd High School in 1978. The church built an edifice at 630 South Quentin Road in 1983. Bethel Lutheran Church of Rolling Meadows merged with All Saints in 2016.
Courtesy Google Street View
Church of Today Unity Center
The Church of Today Unity Center was founded by Rev. Donald Sizer in Schaumburg in 1990. In 1992 the church met at Drury Inn at 600 North Martingale Road, at La Quinta Inn at 1730 Higgins Road and Quality Inn at 920 East Northwest Highway in Palatine. It was meeting at Winston School Campus in 1996 when Rev. Sizer passed away.
Church of God’s Grace
The Church of God’s Grace began in 1993 as the Full Gospel Church of Hope at 149 North Brockway Street in Palatine. The Korean church changed to its current name in 2004.
Second Baptist Church
The Second Baptist Church worships in the African American tradition. It was founded in 1994 at 1405 North Quentin Road.
Courtesy Google Street View
DeerGrove Covenant Church
DeerGrove Covenant Church’s original roots began July of 1993 when four families formed a Bible Study group. The Bible Study group began to grow and in July of 1994 they called a Pastor to lead the group as a church. They met in homes, until September of 1994 when they began meeting at the Palatine Community Center. Various venues around the Palatine area were used for the church to hold its services over a number of years, from schools, outdoor open areas, and a hotel. DeerGrove church used a trailer each week with a setup and take down crew to create the worship experience in these settings. In 2009 the church purchased the building and property it currently sits on at 225 E. Helen Rd in Palatine and began to do some renovations creating a church from its previous use as a retail showroom. In 2010 the church was ready to hold its first church services in their new building. DeerGrove church made renovations to the outside of the building during 2018 & 2019. DeerGrove Covenant Church is part of the Evangelical Covenant Church denomination.
Evangelical Community Church
Evangelical Community Church met at 312 East Wood Street from 1996 to 2014. Previously, it was occupied by Palatine Bible Church from 1949 to 1996. The building was purchased by Good News in the Neighborhood in 2022.
New Life Covenant Church
New Life Church of Chicago, a non-denominational Korean immigrant church, purchased the former Watercress restaurant at 1200 West Northwest Highway in 2004. The church began reaching out to Americanized adult children of Korean immigrants in 2009. In 2011, it became New Life Covenant Church.
Courtesy Google Street View
Bethel Presbyterian Church
In 2005, the Korean Carmel Presbyterian Church petitioned the Village to purchase the building at 399 North Quentin Road, but was turned down for lack of parking. The Village said the zoning change from manufacturing to planned development would mean a loss of tax revenue. In 2015, Bethel Presbyterian Church of Chicago petitioned to purchase and again was turned down. The Church complained and the Department of Justice said the Village cannot turn down the petition strictly on tax purposes. The Village then approved the petition. The Seamless Gutter Corp. had occupied the building from 1998 to 2004. Golf Nation was in the building from 2007 to 2014.
The Chapel Palatine
Grace Community Church, a part of Evangelical Free Church of America, moved into 431 North Quentin Road in 2005. In 2011, it voted to be adopted by The Chapel and changed its name to The Chapel Palatine.
Iglesia Corona de Amor (Crown of Love Church)
Iglesia Corona de Amor, a part of Evangelical Free Church of America, moved into 431 North Quentin Road in 2005. It shares the space with The Chapel Palatine.
Thrive Vineyard Church
Thrive Vineyard Church began meeting at 845 East Glencoe Road in 2013. The previous owner was New Apostolic Church.
Courtesy Google Street View
Embassy Church
Embassy Church began in 2014 and is located at 123 North Plum Grove Road.
New Elim Church
The New Elim Church is a Korean church that met in 2015 at 800 East Palatine Road. The church currently meets at 123 North Plum Grove Road.
Peace Presbyterian Church
Peace Presbyterian Church is a Korean church that met at 144 East Palatine Road from 2015 to 2020.
Wind Light Sound Church
Wind Light Sound Church was a Korean church that met briefly at 3201 Meadow Drive in Rolling Meadows in 2016. From 2016 to 2019 the church met at 200 North Plum Grove Road in Palatine.
Chicago Church of Christ
The Chicago Church of Christ met at 200 North Plum Grove Road in 2019.
church of servants
The church of servants is a Korean church that began meeting at 800 East Palatine Road in 2022.
The Bridge Fellowship Church of Chicago
The Bridge Fellowship Church of Chicago is a Korean church that has been meeting at 41 South Rohlwing Road since 2022. Prior to that, another Korean church, the Diaspora Church, was meeting at that location.
Courtesy Google Street View
Good News in the Neighborhood
Good News in the Neighborhood moved into the building at 312 East Wood Street in 2022. The building had previously been used by Palatine Bible Church, also known as Northwest Suburbs Bible Church (1949 – 1996) and Evangelical Community Church (1996 – 2014).
Courtesy Google Street View
Iglesia Evangelica Monte de Sion
Iglesia Evangelica Monte de Sion is a Hispanic church that began meeting at 800 East Palatine Road in 2023.
courtesy of their Facebook page
St. Archangel Michael Ukrainian Orthodox Church
St. Archangel Michael Ukrainian Orthodox Church began meeting at 1475 West Algonquin Road in August of 2023.
Courtesy their Facebook page
For more information:
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