The History of Maple Park United Methodist Church

Sixty years ago, Maple Park United Methodist Church was organized by the Board of the Rock River Annual Conference under the leadership of the late Bishop Felton E. May and 15 other pioneers for Christ in September of 1963. Initially, church services were held at John Whistler School and later, Thomas Higgins School.

The Chartering Service for the new congregation was held in September of 1963 at John Whistler School where Rev. Felton E. May was installed as Maple Park’s first pastor. The Chartering Service was led by Bishop Charles W. Brashares, Episcopal leader of the Rock River Conference for Northern Illinois of the Methodist Church and Bishop Matthew Clair, Episcopal leader of the St. Louis Area of the Central Jurisdiction. Bishop Clair was also a member of the Rock River Conference Board of Mission. The Board of Mission provided financial support for the development of the new congregation. The congregation started with 15 pioneers in addition to 20 young people. Soon, thereafter, a building Committee was formed and a plan for constructing the first church building was formulated. The land was located between Elizabeth and Racine at 117^th Street. On September 13, 1965, a Groundbreaking Ceremony was held at the site of 11705 S. Elizabeth Street. The congregation consisting of 70 families and 240 registered Sunday school students moved into the new church on October 31, 1966, when the first building of three planned units was completed.

The Pastors of Maple Park United Methodist Church