Mayfair Presbyterian Church

From a simple act of kindness, a church was born. Here at Mayfair Presbyterian Church, the story begins not with grand pronouncements, but with a neighbor’s compassion. In 1918, Mayfair was a burgeoning neighborhood. Mrs. W.H. Spikings noticed the families of cemetery workers lacked a nearby Sunday School. She took it upon herself to organize one, sponsored by the Irving Park Dutch Reformed Church. This small act blossomed into something larger. The Sunday School moved from its initial location at Harding and Ainslie to Ainslie and Keeler. There, a meeting was held, and Perseverance Presbyterian Church was born. Mayfair Presbyterian Church’s official beginning was March 6, 1922, with 23 charter members. The church received support from the Presbytery of Chicago’s Church Extension Board, a crucial lifeline for the fledgling congregation. The church then called Reverend Roy J. Miller as their first pastor. He served briefly, leaving in 1923 for a position in Michigan. Reverend George Searles and Reverend George Cleaver followed, each serving short terms. Despite the pastoral changes, the church grew to 55 members. In 1926, Reverend William McInnes, a Canadian studying at McCormick Theological Seminary, accepted the church’s call. The growing pains continued. Overcrowding in the Sunday school became a significant issue. The church’s location, east of where most families lived, also posed a problem. The congregation temporarily relocated to Palmer School while seeking a new site. An opportunity arose when land near Kostner became available. The church purchased four lots, later acquiring two more, including a house that became the pastor’s residence. In 1929, amidst the backdrop of the Great Depression, Perseverance Presbyterian Church officially became Mayfair Presbyterian Church. Construction began on a new building, but only the basement was completed due to financial constraints. This basement served as the church’s home for two decades. The congregation persevered, even building additional rooms at the rear of the original building themselves. By 1948, the church launched a fundraising campaign, securing enough money to finally build a proper sanctuary. Construction began that year, and the new Mayfair Presbyterian Church opened its doors in November 1949. Mayfair Presbyterian Church stands as a testament to the power of community, resilience, and faith, growing from a small Sunday school into a beloved neighborhood landmark.