A Glimpse into
Our History
First Presbyterian Church was founded on August 3, 1866 with 28 members and on December 22, 1867 the first church, located at Western and Broadway, was dedicated to the service of God. Beyond the walls of this church lives a dynamic congregation that has made a tremendous impact in the Joliet community.
In 1888, First Presbyterian Church laid the foundation for the Will-Grundy Medical Clinic where people from different walks of life can find quality primary, diagnostic and therapeutic medical care. 150 years later, the Church continues to stay connected and involved with local missions and organizations that serve the Joliet community, such as MorningStar Mission, St. John’s Mobile Food Pantry and Habitat for Humanity, continuing the tradition to be a Christ presence to the people of Joliet.
Read more of our story – Here
Architecture and
Christ Window
The church is not a building, but people. These people are different from others in that they are disciples of Christ. To be a disciple is to be a learner, so the Church comes out of the world to this sanctuary in obedience to Christ’s command, “Learn of me … “
Those words have always inspired the congregation of First Presbyterian whenever it came to finding that perfect fit between a practical, beautiful place of worship and a place of ministry and learning. The 1926 New English Tudor Gothic style building at the corner of Raynor and Western in Joliet, is a beautiful building with solid masonry faced with Joliet rock-faced ashlar limestone that just fits in the historic Cathedral Area of Joliet. The Sanctuary is decorated with an exquisite stained glass mural, the Christ Window, that depicts the story of Christ in a wonderful mix of glass and symbols. You can read more about the Christ Window – here