Odf History

In the Beginning . . . The Southwest corner of 70th Street and South Park Avenue (now Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive) has housed a Congregational church since 1891. In 1950, the church members began facing the challenge of a racially changing neighborhood as African-Americans began moving in – amid conflict.

In the Beginning . . . In September, 1952, negotiations began by the former Park Manor Congregational Church with the Chicago City Missionary Society (now the Community Renewal Society) to transfer or sell the building to a new group within the same Congregational Christian fellowship.

In the Beginning . . . In January, 1953, a planning and advisory committee was formed consisting of representatives of the Lincoln Memorial Congregational The Church of The Good Shepherd Congregational The Mission Society Chicago Theological Seminary Park Manor Congregational Church National Board of Home Missions (now the U.C.C. Board of Homeland Ministries).

In the Beginning . . . In February, 1953, as a result of canvassing residents of the Park Manor area by sixty members of The Church of The Good Shepherd Congregational and Lincoln Memorial Congregational Churches, the foundation was laid for the organization of The Congregational Church of Park Manor.

In the Beginning . . . On April 10, 1953, the new church was staffed: the Reverend Mr. John R. Schwenke, Organizing and Interim Pastor, Catherine Adams, Choir Director; Jane Molden, Director of Christian Education; and Rachel Ferrill, Parish Visitor.

In the Beginning . . . On May 7, 1953, the first organization meeting was held; a Charter Member List was set up and seventeen people signed.

In the Beginning . . . At the second organizational meeting on May 21, 1953, sixty persons attended and voted to establish three committees to work on: a Statement of Faith and Policy, Construction and Nominations for the first officers. On August 9, 1953, one-hundred and forty-two Charter Members were taken in, board and officers were elected.

In the Beginning . . . On May 3, 1954, The Park Manor Congregational Church held its first service at 7000 South Park Avenue (now Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive)

The Pastors . . .

Reverend Dr. William J. Faulkner (April 10, 1953 – October 25, 1953) – Became Senior Pastor after 20 years as Dean of chapel at Fisk University.

The Pastors . . .

Reverend Dr. Arthur D. Gray (September 2, 1962 – June 15, 1962) – Became Senior Pastor after serving as President of Talladega Co

The Pastors . . .

Reverend Dr. James H. Hargett (May 1977 – August, 1986) – An innovator and civil right movement participant, elected the third minister.

The Pastors . . .

Reverend Dr. Reuben A. Shears, II (June 1, 1988 – July 11, 1992) - After 15 years as Director, Office of Church Life and Leadership, United Church of Christ, came to The Congregational church of Park Manor and served the congregational until his death.

The Pastors . . .

Reverend Dr. Luther Holland, Jr. (September 1, 1995 – Present) - The current Senior Pastor and Teacher came to The Congregational Church of Park Manor after his service as Chicago Metropolitan Association Minister and Ohio Conference Minister for Church in the World.

The Associate, Assistant, and Student Ministers The church has nurtured nine (12) student ministers, eight of whom have gone on to successful careers in the ministry: Reverend Dr. Kenneth Smith, Reverend Mr. Elmore Giles, Reverend Mr. Jimmie Sawyer, Reverend Mr. Ronald Roberts, Reverend Mr. Stephen Camp, Reverend Mr. Lilton Marks,, Reverend Dr. Brenda Ahgahowa, Reverend Dr. Erwin France (deceased), Reverend Mr. James E. Fouther, Jr. and Reverend Miss Leslie R. Dowdell, Dr. Oscar Vanadoe, III, Minister Joseph Ragland and Minister Janice Spraggins.

The Interim Ministers

The Reverend Mr. John R. Schwenke of the Chicago City Missionary Society, served as the Organizing Interim Minister from April 10, 1953 until October 25, 1953. The Reverend Dr. George Polk, Pastoral Counselor at Bethany Hospital, served as Interim Minister from August 18, 1986 until June 1, 1988. The Reverend Mr. George Thomas, former Pastor of First Congregational Church of Atlanta served as Interim Minister from March 21, 1993 until August 31, 1995.