Church History
In the Beginning
The Rev. Jesse Walker set up a mission south of Plainfield in 1826.
This charismatic preacher began “riding the circuit.” He preached at first to the Native Americans
and later to the permanent settlers who began arriving in 1830.
The first settlement in what later became New Lenox Township centered on the area known as Gougar Crossing
(now Gougar Road north of U. S. 30), so named for William Gougar, on whose farm the weekly mail could be picked up.
(Danville to Chicago route). Among the families in the early 1830s in addition to the Gougars were those of
John Cooper, Thomas Francis, and Abraham Francis.
When the circuit rider arrived services were held in the homes and barns of the various families.
Walker passed away in 1835 and other circuit riders conducted services.
The First Church
By 1853 a frame church was built on the north side of State Road (now U. S. 30) near the New Lenox and Frankfort Township boundary.
The church, known as the Bethel Church, served the settlers in the area of both townships.
However, it soon became evident that sufficient population in the area made it possible for both townships to have a church.
The church was dismantled and parts used to build a new church in New Lenox.
The First New Lenox Methodist Church
The coming of the Rock Island Railroad in 1852 brought great change in New Lenox Township.
The center of population moved east to the area bounded by Hickory Creek on the north,
Haven Avenue on the south and between Cedar Road and the Cold Springs Campground on the west.
The Methodist Church was built on Hickory Street, just east of Pine Street in 1863.
First church building in New Lenox on Hickory Street, known as the Methodist Church.
During the Civil War the New Lenox Church, known as the Methodist Episcopal Church,
had many members who believed in the abolitionist cause. Underground Railroad activity
occurred at several locations in New Lenox Township. Dwight Haven, one of the leaders of
the New Lenox Methodist Church, was arrested for violation of the fugitive slave law.
He was known to have hid runaway slaves on his farm and in the Old Brick Tavern on the east of his property.
Harriet Francis recalled, “The [Methodist] church building faced south. It was an
oblong building, with a vestibule in front where people could hang wraps
and hats, etc. and a balcony above it for extra capacity. The pulpit was
at the north end. There were sheds at the rear of the lot where people
could tie their horses and have shelter for both horses and buggies.
A high board fence was at the west side of the lot to help protect other
horses not in the sheds. For our social, we rented the old Grange
Hall, which stood on the southeast corner of Hickory and Oak Streets.
We would have oyster suppers in the winter months, also a big
Christmas cantata on Christmas Eve. Lawn socials were held at the
homes in the summer with homegrown strawberries and homemade
ice cream and cakes for refreshments. Rev. J. A. Lucas was the first
full time pastor.”
From 1868-1870 the Methodist Church loaned its building on Sunday afternoons to the newly formed Episcopal
congregation until their church on the northwest corner of Pine and Hickory could be completed.
The first Methodist Church of New Lenox was razed when the congregation moved to the new building in 1899.
The Campgrounds
After the Civil War in 1867 the 21 acre campgrounds on the west edge of town was purchased by the Centenary
Campground Association of the Methodist Conference for the purpose of holding religious camp meetings during
the summer months. This was organized by four Methodist church leaders: George Barr, Charles Francis,
Fred Haven and Cal Nichols. The first camp meeting was held in 1868.
Leaders who organized the first camp meeting in 1868
(left to right): Charles Francis, Fred Haven, Cal Nichols and George Barr.
People camped out first in tents; later cabins were added for some. Through the many years permanent structures were added:
an entrance gatehouse, a tabernacle, a bath house, a dining hall. All these buildings were later razed.
Tabernacle in the campgrounds, built around 1903.
At one time as many as 5000 people attended camp meetings. In the beginning campers arrived on horseback,
wagon or carriage or by train. Later the automobile and the trolley car also brought people to the meetings.
An after lunch gathering in the campgrounds, July 1898.
Deaconesses would bring children from Chicago for fresh air work. Children, who perhaps had never stepped
on grass nor seen a cow could have an outdoor experience. They would come before or after camp meeting sessions.
Still later, the grounds were used for Epworth League and other groups.
In 1927 a cabin constructed of poles from the Western Electric pole yard south of New Lenox was built in the
campgrounds for youth activities. Later it became known as the Boy Scout Cabin. It still remains on the property.
The 1899 Church
By the 1890s a new church was needed. A church was erected on the corner of Church Street and Haven Avenue at
a cost of $11,040.65, which was paid in full in two years. This impressive building opened in 1899.
It had the modern convenience of acetylene gas lighting. It was known for its many large and beautiful stained glass windows.
The Methodist Church on corner of Church Street and Haven Avenue before 1930 when the spire was
damaged by lightning and the church was altered.
Harriet Francis remembered, “ W. H. Bryant of Joliet was the
contractor. The laying of the cornerstone services were held
July 19, 1899…[inside the cornerstone] is a copper box and
inside the box is a Bible, a Methodist Discipline, a history of
the church to date, the names of all the officers and members
to that date and other cards and papers. While the cover was
being soldered on, the band played “Nearer My God to Thee.
The dedication services were held January 14, 1900…
three services and services for several days following…
Rev. Allison F. Clark was pastor.”
In the years following World War II with the Haven School across the road bursting with enrollment,
the church was used as a classroom for a short time. The church building served the congregation for about 80 years.
An addition was added in 1957 to provide Sunday School and other educational and social facilities.
This church building still stands although the building was sold when the new church was completed in the campgrounds.
Back to the Campgrounds with a New Church
The New Lenox Methodist Church purchased the campgrounds in 1965 and the congregation began plans for a new church
on the site in 1971. With the exception of the Boy Scout Cabin all the buildings on the site were razed because
they had fallen into disrepair. The present church was dedicated June 26, 1977. During this time two ministers served,
Rev. Herbert George and later Rev. Leon Leatherman.
There was a national merger of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church in 1968 and the
conjoined church became known as the United Methodist Church of New Lenox.
By 1989 more space was needed and an addition to the church was consecrated. The addition provided space for educational
opportunities and a chapel which serves as a multipurpose area. The beautiful grounds were used for worship services
when weather permitted. An annual Campground Festival and a FleaMarket/Auction were held on the grounds.
Present United Methodist Church in the campgrounds.
In January of 1998 the congregation had grown so that two full-time ministers were appointed to the church,
the Rev. Greta McDonald and the Rev. Jim McDonald.