Grace Presbyterian Church (Peoria, Illinois)
Grace Presbyterian Church is a historic PCA[1] congregation located in Peoria, Illinois with approximately 2,000 members.
History
Initially called the Fourth Ward Mission School, Grace Presbyterian was founded in 1862 as a Sunday School for area youth. D.W. McWilliams, the first superintendent, was a prominent railroad man who had recently moved to Peoria from New York. He was able to secure a passenger rail coach to use as a meeting place. The school started with 19 children, and within a few Sundays a second passenger coach was added to accommodate growing attendance.
In 1874, the group formally organized as a church mission, taking on the name Grace Presbyterian. Three years later, under the leadership of H.S. Beavis, the church become autonomous and self-supporting; the Grace Presbyterian Mission became Grace Presbyterian Church.
The first permanent location at Wayne Street and Madison Avenue was destroyed by fire in 1890. However, the congregation continued worshiping on Peoria's "near north-side" for several generations. In 1957, the church moved to what would became a well-known location, the corner of Knoxville Ave. and Forrest Hill Ave. The church moved to its current 60 acre campus in 2010.
During the Great Depression the church dwindled and barely survived.[2]
In 1982, under the leadership of Dr. B.W. Dunn, the congregation affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in America after congenially departing ways with the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.[3] Under the agreement, Grace Presbyterian was allowed to leave the existing denominational alliance without sacrificing property ownership rights.
Recent story
New sanctuary
The church built a new 1,600 seat sanctuary and Sunday school in 2010. With theater seating and studio quality lighting, the auditorium style worship center opened a new chapter in the church's storied history. The 110,000 square foot facility is situated on 60 acres in Peoria's far northwest side. [4] WEEK TV-25 continues to broadcast Sunday morning services as they have for nearly 60 years.
According to the executive director the old church structure was too small for the growing church.[5] Additionally, parking and safety had become a serious concern. Congregants who parked in an overflow lot were forced to cross a busy intersection in order to worship.
Doctrine
The church believes:
- the Bible as the written word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and without error in the original manuscript.
- in the Holy Trinity
- that we are sinners and totally unable to save themselves from God's displeasure
- the salvation by God alone as he sovereignly chooses those He will save
- Jesus is the eternal Son of God
- God is gracious and faithful to His people
- that the Holy Spirit indwells God's people and gives them strength and wisdom to trust Christ and follow Him
- Jesus will return bodily and visibly, to judge all mankindand to receive His people to Himself
- that all aspects of our lives are to be lived to the Glory of God under the leadership of Jesus[6]
Leadership
The current senior pastor is Dr. Bryan Chapell.[7]
References
- ↑ "Presbyterian Churches in America". Stat.pcanet.org. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
- ↑ "Grace Presbyterian Church". Gracepres.org. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
- ↑ "Grace Presbyterian (PCA) in Peoria, IL to move into new building on October 10". Theaquilareport.com. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
- ↑ "What's going on here?". Journal Star. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
- ↑ "New Grace Presbyterian Church". Cinewsnow.com. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
- ↑ "Grace Presbyterian Church Statement of Faith". Gracepres.org. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
- ↑ "Staff Directory - Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria, IL". Gracepres.org. Retrieved 6 December 2014.