LEGACY OF NILES COMMUNITY CHURCH
Chartered March 23, 1952
Responding to the rapid growth of the suburbs following the Second World War, the Church Federation of Greater Chicago established a plan for meeting the spiritual needs of the new population. A Community Church would be established in each new village. While the new congregations would be affiliated with a particular Protestant denomination, people from all backgrounds would be welcomed. This was the era when both Niles Community Church and Park Ridge Presbyterian Church were established.
In Niles, five families began worshiping together in their homes in July 1951. In September of that year, Robert Kaiser, a student at McCormick Seminary, was sent to Niles to lead the worship services, which were then to be held in the basement of Niles Public School.
On March 23, 1952, the church was chartered as Niles Community Church (Presbyterian U.S.A.) by the Presbytery of Chicago with the approval of the Church Federation of Greater Chicago. There were 33 charter members. On May 23, 1954, Robert Kaiser was ordained and installed as the first Minister of the Niles Community Church.
The growing church committed to develop a church building. Lots were purchased on Oakton Street in 1952 and construction began. The first worship service in the new building was held on Sunday, January 22, 1956. As attendance continued to grow, a Youth Wing was added in 1960. The church celebrated “burning the mortgage” when the loan was paid off in 1971, 11 years ahead of schedule.
Niles Community Church lived up to its community name through hosting such activities as Boy Scout Troop 62; Oakton Community College GED and English as a Second Language programs; Korean, Polish, Hispanic and other Christian congregations; and a number of self help, health, cultural and arts groups. In addition, the church supported many missions, including: Kemmerer Village, food pantries, One Great Hour of Sharing, CROP walks, and more.
The church family met regularly for worship on Sunday mornings. There were baptisms, Sunday school classes, Christmas pageants, choirs, praise bands, bible studies, confirmation classes, youth groups, retreats, Presbyterian Women, rummage sales, cookie walks, fellowship times, and men’s breakfast. There were weddings and funerals. Through the good times and bad, all shared together in a community of faith.
As membership waned in later years, a revitalization initiative was started to discern God’s will for the future of the church, leading to a search for possible joining opportunities with stronger neighboring churches. In August 2021, the members of Niles Community Church voted to merge with Park Ridge Presbyterian Church to work together in common ministry, and the newly joined church held our first worship together on October 10, 2021. The legacy of Niles Community Church is now an important part of the legacy of Park Ridge Presbyterian Church, continuing to make disciples of Christ as one joined church, serving Niles, Park Ridge, and the neighboring communities.
PASTORS OF NILES COMMUNITY CHURCH
Rev. Robert F. Kaiser, Pastor, 1954 – 1956
Rev. Robert W. Gish, Pastor, 1956 – 1965
Rev. Dr. D. Douglas Seleen, Pastor 1966 – 1986
Pastor Emeritus 1989 – 2020
Rev. W. Michael Youngblood, Assistant Pastor 1972 – 1975
Rev. Charles G. Yopst, Interim Pastor 1986 – 1988
Rev. Howard W. Boswell, Jr. Pastor 1989 – 1998
Greg Manship, Seminary Intern 1991-1993
Ralph Bus, Seminary Intern 1993 – 1994
Linda Holdredge, Seminary Intern 1994 – 1995
Frank R Fisher, Seminary Intern 1995 – 1997
Rev. James Steiner, Interim Pastor, 1999 – 2000
Rev. Steven L. Howery, Pastor, 2000 – 2018
Rev. Marilyn K. Doering, Parish Associate, 2008 – 2013
Rev. Stephen C. Pierce, Interim Pastor, 2018 – 2020
STAINED-GLASS WINDOWS
The beautiful stained-glass windows in the Niles Community Church building were created and crafted during the 1980s and early 1990s by George Niesen, a charter member. In 2001, George won the Outstanding Service in the Sacred Arts Ministry award from the Presbytery of Chicago for his work. The windows from the sanctuary, which are now displayed here, depict the life of Christ: birth, baptism, communion, death, resurrection, and reformation.
