Whereas, initial planning for Grace United Protestant Church in Park Forest began in the spring of 1953 with the first worship service being held on September 26, 1954; and
Whereas, October 1954, the church was formally chartered as Somonauk United Protestant Church due to the planned construction of the church building on Somonauk Street. The congregation voted in January 1955 to name the church Grace United; and
Whereas, a groundbreaking ceremony took place on March 9, 1957. Reverend Robert Crocker guided the congregation in its infancy. Reverend Thoburn Anderson succeeded him in 1958 as services were conducted at Talala School while the church was being built; and
Whereas, on Easter Sunday in 1959, the first service was conducted in the new church, with a congregation totaling 625 members. Facility expansion took place in the next few years to accommodate educational and office capacities; and
Whereas, Church clergy over the years included Reverends Donald Thomas, Fred Lippert, Guilford Larimer, Bruce Naylor, Edmond Taveirne, Robert Younts, Harold Schroeder, G. Kenneth Tulloch, Dawn Gotoh, Young Ok Park, Dr. Norval Brown and Amos Oladipo; and
Whereas, over the years, Grace United Protestant Church has served the congregation and the local community with spiritual leadership, social services, hospitality and concern. The Church has carried out important community engagement and outreach efforts which include being home to various scouting troops, Special Religious Education programming for Ludeman Center residents, and being an important community provider of childcare and early childhood education since the 1980’s; and
Whereas, such efforts continue today with Boy Scout Troop 185B, Reconciling Ministries Network membership, and Kidds Palace Learning Academy. The church is a hub for artists and musicians, a supporter through volunteerism and donations to numerous humanitarian outlets include Respond Now, Rich Township Food Pantry, and UNICEF; and
Whereas, Grace United Protestant Church will be celebrating its Seventieth Anniversary on October 27, 2024 with a worship service and fellowship luncheon.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Joseph A. Woods, Mayor of the Village of Park Forest, Cook and Will Counties, Illinois, do hereby proclaim on behalf of the Village Board of Trustees that most sincere congratulations are to be extended to the Grace United Protestant Church as it celebrates its Seventieth Anniversary.
Proclaimed this 25th day of October, 2024.