Monument Of Faith Church

The Monument of Faith began as a tiny seed planted in the heart of a young man driven by an unwavering faith. Evangelist Richard D. Henton, in 1964, had a vision for a church that would provide solace and deliver from hardship. He held services every Saturday at a nearby church, but his soul yearned for something more. The Monument of Faith was born out of that yearning. The old Rex Theatre building on South Racine Avenue, vacant for 11 years, became the catalyst. It was a building that looked like it had seen better days, with a dilapidation that threatened to swallow it whole. But Evangelist Henton saw something different, he saw a beacon, a place where hearts could find hope and the soul could find peace. The building was a testament to his faith, a Monument Of Faith. He claimed it for God and with a tireless energy began fixing it up, painting, cleaning, and working day and night, transforming the old, decaying Rex Theatre into a haven for the weary. People came from miles around to fill the seats on June 21, 1964, to witness the first service at the newly built Monument Of Faith. One of those who came was Bishop E.E. Cleveland Sr., Evangelist Henton’s father in the gospel, who traveled all the way from Berkeley, California, to deliver the church’s first sermon. They called it “Dedicated”, a name that echoed the spirit of the church itself, a testament to the unwavering faith, the dedication, and the devotion of its founder, Evangelist Richard D. Henton. The Monument of Faith, like a seed sown in fertile ground, grew with leaps and bounds. They moved to a former synagogue on South Chappel, a building that held 1,200 people, a testament to the burgeoning congregation that was drawn to the church’s light. But this move was not to be the last. God whispered to Evangelist Henton, “one more move,” a directive that brought the church to a new home at 2750 West Columbus Avenue, a sprawling complex encompassing a sanctuary, bookstore, chapel, dining hall, and television studio. And so the Monument of Faith, from its humble beginnings to its grand sanctuary, stood as a symbol of the transforming power of faith. It was a place where souls could find comfort, a place where the weary could find solace, and a place where hope could blossom and grow.