|
 In
1823, a Methodist circuit rider named Jesse Walker
came to the land along the DuPage River in order to
bring Christianity to the Pottawatomie people of
Illinois. Circuit riders were traveling preachers
who moved on horseback to spread the gospel message.
The first permanent white residents came to this
area in 1829. James Walker, the son-in-law of Jesse
Walker, was one of the original ten settlers. Led by
Jesse Walker, they formed the first Methodist class
in so-called “Walker’s Grove,” now known as
Plainfield.
The first Methodist meeting place was a log cabin
near the intersection of Joliet Rd. (Route 30) and
Route 59. The early Methodists often met in each
others homes for study and prayer. In 1832 Rev. S.R.
Beggs, known affectionately as “Father Beggs,”
became the circuit rider to serve our community.
Rev. Beggs oversaw the first constructed church,
located on Route 59 and the west corner of Ottawa
Street. During the week this building was also used
as a school.
After 11 years of continued settlement and growth,
the need for a new structure arose. Rev. Stoughton
led the project which was located at the center of
the north side of Lockport Street, our current
business district. In 1848, the church became a
station with legal trustees appointed. Plainfield
Methodist Episcopal Church could now support a
full-time pastor.
Methodism continued to expand as people settled in
the area. In 1866, the first rendition of our
current building was constructed. The project cost
$20,000. At the time, Father Beggs commented that
“it was a great undertaking for Plainfield, but all
lending a helping hand, it came to a completion.”
The stone for the building came from a near-by
quarry. The church measured 52 by 70 feet and had a
spire that reached 125 feet. The original windows of
the building were replaced by beautiful stained
glass as they broke over the years. In 1907, the
church received a gift from James Beggs and John
Shreffler. The men donated the ten bell carillon,
located in the steeple of the building. Still today,
children and adults play the bells on Sundays and
other special days.
A Social Center was constructed in 1921 to serve the
church and surrounding community. In 1952 an
addition was made to the west side of the church to
provide classrooms and a kitchen. While many
activities were held at the social center, the cost
and up-keep made the center a burden for the church.
The building was first rented out for a theater and
then a bank. It was later razed to make way for the
1966 addition. In 1966, a church office, pastor’s
study, elevator, chapel, classrooms, and new
entrance was added under Rev. Herbert Null.
In 1997 Plainfield United Methodist Church appointed
a building committee to oversee changes that could
be made to our existing building to address the
challenges of more people and too little space. In
2004 work was begun to demolish the 1966 addition,
to remodel the sanctuary, and add a two-story wing
of Sunday School rooms, offices, and gathering
spaces. During the remodeling the congregation met
for worship at Lincoln Elementary School off of
Route 126. The project was made possible in large
part by the generous donations left by the estates
of Janet Brown, whose land will be sold in order to
offset part of the debt of construction, and of Dick
and Dorothy Parks, who have donated nearly 2.5
million dollars. Their investment in our community
and church’s future will allow the ministries of our
church to flourish with necessary space and
equipment.
Plainfield United Methodist Church is the oldest
congregation in the Northern Illinois Conference.
Our buildings over the years are only the external
signs of the internal realties of God’s grace and
our people’s faithfulness to Christ and His message
to the world. |