Hidden in plain sight on the bustling corner of Dearborn and Ontario streets once stood Westminster Presbyterian Church. It was a beacon of faith for Chicagoans from 1857 to 1871. The Westminster Presbyterian Church wasn’t just a building. It was a testament to the spirit of a determined community.
Westminster Presbyterian Church emerged from the desire for a New School Presbyterian Church on Chicago’s North Side. In 1855, a dedicated group, led by the Reverend Ansel D. Eddy, gathered at a home on Illinois Street to formally establish the church. The first elders, Colonel Henry Smith and W.W. Evarts, laid the foundation for a congregation that would soon become a vital part of the city’s religious landscape. Initial services were held in the lecture room of Rush Medical College. Around 1858, a modest frame building was erected on the church’s property on Dearborn and Ontario. This simple structure could accommodate about 250 people.
The first building project for a grand church was halted by the financial panic of 1857. The unfinished foundation stood as a stark reminder of the economic downturn. Yet, it also symbolized the congregation’s resilience. The smaller frame church proved that even with limited resources, much could be accomplished with determination and faith. A Chicago Tribune article from 1860 celebrated the dedication of this new edifice. It lauded the congregation’s achievement and described the Westminster Presbyterian Church as a model of efficiency and cost-effectiveness, constructed for a mere $3,000.
Following Reverend Eddy’s departure, the church experienced a period of transition. Reverend William H. Spencer led the congregation from 1858 until his untimely death in 1861. During his tenure, the original frame building was converted into a parsonage. A new frame church, designed by Asher Carter, was built on the corner of Dearborn and Ontario. This new structure, while still modest, was praised for its practicality and comfortable design. Reverend E.A. Pierce served as pastor from late 1861 to 1865, a period of both spiritual and material growth.
The arrival of Reverend David Swing in 1866 marked a turning point for Westminster Presbyterian Church. His dynamic preaching style attracted a large following, pushing the church beyond its physical capacity. This growth played a key role in the church’s eventual merger with North Presbyterian Church in 1871, forming what is now known as Fourth Presbyterian Church. The united congregation initially utilized North Presbyterian’s building. Tragically, just months after the merger, the Great Chicago Fire swept through the city, destroying both the former North Presbyterian Church and the vacant Westminster Presbyterian Church building. Westminster Presbyterian Church may be gone. But its story is a powerful reminder of the unwavering spirit of faith and community that shaped Chicago’s religious landscape.