St. Paul United Church of Christ in Monee has weathered fires, financial hardship, social change, and seasons of both growth and decline in its 168-year history.
On July 26, its congregation celebrated its dedication as a Will County Historic Landmark.
Founded by a group of 35 German immigrants in 1858, the church’s current faithful saw the unveiling of a new brass plaque declaring the property’s prestigious status.
The stately building with priceless stained-glass windows won landmark status a year ago.
Located at 5323 W. Margaret Street, the church is one of the village’s oldest structures, along with the St. Paul Cemetery, St. Boniface Catholic Church and the Furst mansion.
The dedication included comments from Christi Holston and prayers of blessing and gratitude from Pastor Jacob Roberts. A community picnic followed in the Fellowship Hall afterward.
“Today we gather to honor a place that has shaped our village for more than a century and a half,” said Holston, a Will County Historic Preservation Commission member.
“St. Paul’s UCC is not only a house of worship, but also a living testament to perseverance, faith and the enduring spirit of the people who built Monee.
“The story of St.Paul’s began long before this brick sanctuary rose in 1914. It begins with German immigrants who arrived in Eastern Will County seeking freedom, opportunity and a place to build new lives.
“Many of our current members can trace their roots to those early families–the Deutsche, Diercks, Harms, Albers, Dralle, Becker, Leseberg, Fehland, Freese, Arnold, Smit, Stassen, Janssen, Seggebruch, and Schwiesow families–all descend from those earliest members.
“These settlers were poor, unfamiliar with one another, and facing the hardships of frontier life, yet they chose to build a church anyway. Some even mortgaged their own property to make it possible. It was, as the record beautifully states, a leap of faith,” Holston continued.
The church’s bells–a gift of the Women’s Fellowship in 1894–rang out to mark the Sabbath, to mourn the passing of loved ones, and to celebrate the end of two World Wars. Its sanctuary welcomed generations of families for baptisms, confirmations, weddings, funerals, and countless Sunday mornings filled with song.
“The building we dedicate today as a Will County Historic Landmark was itself a triumph of community vision. In 1914, after years of discussion, the congregation voted to build a new church. Architect W. C. Jones designed it; Koenning Brothers constructed it, and on June 12, 1914, thousands arrived by Illinois Central and Interurban trains to witness the laying of its cornerstone,” Holston said.
“Inside that cornerstone rested a copper box filled with names, documents, and hopes for the future. When the time capsule was opened in 2014, our 100th anniversary of the building, the first challenge was finding someone who could translate the original documents, all written in German.
“Since then, St. Paul’s has continued to evolve, expanding ministries, rebuilding after the devastating 1930 fire, adapting to new eras, and opening its doors to civic organizations, community events, and generations of neighbors seeking connection and care.
“Through every chapter,” she noted, “this church has remained committed to serving Monee with compassion and steadfast faith.
“Today, by dedicating St. Paul’s United Church of Christ as a Will County Historic Landmark, we honor not only a building but the people who shaped it–the immigrants who dreamed it into being, the men and women who organized and led, the pastors who guided, the families who sustained it, and the community that continues to find meaning within its walls.
“This landmark reminds us that history is not distant. It is something we live, preserve, and pass forward. St. Paul’s is one of the finest architectural structures in our region, yes. But more importantly, it is a testament to resilience, unity and the enduring power of faith in community.
“With gratitude for the past and hope for the future, we proudly dedicate St. Paul’s United Church of Christ as a Will County Historic Landmark.”
St. Paul UCC’s worship service begins at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. Newcomers are welcome.
For more information, office hours are Monday through Thursday – 9:30 am to 3 p.m. Church office telephone is 708-534-8471 or email office@stpaulsmonee.org.