Remember when the Edgebrook Evangelical Mission Covenant Church dedicated its new home? It happened on a beautiful warm day September 15 1941. Today we explore the story of Edgebrook Evangelical Free Church.
The congregation moved from Humboldt Park. Ministry to the community was decreasing there. The Humboldt Park congregation broke ground in Edgebrook after years of prayer and hard work. Edgebrook was sparsely populated then. They trusted God to grow the church and bless the neighborhood. Pastor Titus N Pohl presided over the groundbreaking. He also led the chapel dedicatory services.
Elmer Sundberg wrote a stirring account for the church’s 50th anniversary. He detailed acquiring the land and building the chapel. He dedicated it to God’s glory. He dedicated it to service to the community. His words helped update the church’s history.
The Chapel served well during World War II. The United States saw a baby boom after the war. Edgebrook also boomed. Young families built homes in the attractive country-like setting. Some streets still lack curbs. Some alleys are still unpaved. This was intentional. The Peterson Avenue bus and the Milwaukee Road commuter train served the area.
The church soon outgrew the Chapel. The Sanctuary with Sunday school rooms was dedicated in 1951. The Fellowship Hall and offices were also added. Pastor Raymond Johnson served in the new church building. He was preceded by Pastor Clarence Forsberg. Rev Wesley Nelson also served as an interim pastor.
The church and community grew in the fifties. Rev Rodney Holmberg was the interim pastor. He recruited Willard and Margaret Grant. They were a young North Park Seminary couple. They served as youth counselors. The Grants launched Creative Evangelism Inc in 1955. The Chapel transformed into an Indian village for five nights. Children entered through a large pink teepee. They wore Indian headbands with feathers. They sang and listened to stories. Marionettes acted out a story. The children heard the Gospel. The young braves could accept Jesus into their hearts. One feather was added to the headband for each night’s attendance. One of those children kept her headband for years. Jesus has lived in her heart even longer. The church was headquarters for the Grants. They moved Creative Evangelism Inc to Clifton Kansas in the 1970s. Their ministry spanned over four decades. It reached thousands of children for the Lord.
Clifford W Bjorklund came in 1955. He served until 1967. Cliff and June Bjorklund were the first occupants of the parsonage. The congregation continued to grow. It served the community with various ministries. These included Sunday morning and evening services. Wednesday night children’s ministry was also popular. Trailblazers was led by Naomi and Fridolf Carl Pearson for years. Junior hi-league prayer meeting and choir practice were important. Sunday evening senior hi-league completed the program. The church choir was large. Dr Wayne Balch directed it. The sanctuary was often filled to overflowing.
Pastor Bjorklund was elected Secretary of the Covenant in 1967. He served until his death in 1986. Dr Joseph C Danielson served as interim pastor. He had just retired. He was Director of Home Missions for the Covenant. The church called Rev Robert E Liljegren. He became pastor in 1968. He served until 1980.
In 1975 the congregation welcomed the entire congregation from First Covenant Church. Many factors led them to close their church. Many of these merged brothers and sisters are with the Lord.
Many organists and choir directors have served the congregation. Randy Nelson is the current minister of music. He has served for nineteen years. Michael Doucette sexton has passed the thirteen year mark.
Edgebrook Evangelical Covenant Church joined with Edgebrook Evangelical Free Church in 1991. They presented Vacation Bible School for the community. Mary Doucette and Chris Anderson have led this ministry since 1990. It touches many young lives.
Pastor Greg Mesimore oversees his flock with tender loving care and innovative ideas. The church’s mission statement is “Committed to Christ Calling to Community”.
Edgebrook Evangelical Free Church has a rich history. It continues to serve its community. It embraces change while honoring its traditions. Remember God lives in our hearts. He also lives at Spokane and Leoti Avenues in Chicago.