In 1823, a Methodist circuit rider named Jesse Walker came to the land along the DuPage River in order to bring Christianity to the Pottawatomie people of Illinois. Circuit riders were traveling preachers who moved on horseback to spread the gospel message. The first permanent white residents came to this area in 1829. James Walker, the son-in-law of Jesse Walker, was one of the original ten settlers. Led by Jesse Walker, they formed the first Methodist class in so-called “Walker’s Grove,” now known as Plainfield.
The first Methodist meeting place was a log cabin near the intersection of Joliet Rd. (Route 30) and Route 59. The early Methodists often met in each others homes for study and prayer. In 1832 Rev. S.R. Beggs, known affectionately as “Father Beggs,” became the circuit rider to serve our community. Rev. Beggs oversaw the first constructed church, located on Route 59 and the west corner of Ottawa Street. During the week this building was also used as a school.
After 11 years of continued settlement and growth, the need for a new structure arose. Rev. Stoughton led the project which was located at the center of the north side of Lockport Street, our current business district. In 1848, the church became a station with legal trustees appointed. Plainfield Methodist Episcopal Church could now support a full-time pastor.
Methodism continued to expand as people settled in the area. In 1866, the first rendition of our current building was constructed. The project cost $20,000. At the time, Father Beggs commented that “it was a great undertaking for Plainfield, but all lending a helping hand, it came to a completion.” The stone for the building came from a near-by quarry. The church measured 52 by 70 feet and had a spire that reached 125 feet. The original windows of the building were replaced by beautiful stained glass as they broke over the years. In 1907, the church received a gift from James Beggs and John Shreffler. The men donated the ten bell carillon, located in the steeple of the building. Still today, children and adults play the bells on Sundays and other special days.
A Social Center was constructed in 1921 to serve the church and surrounding community. In 1952 an addition was made to the west side of the church to provide classrooms and a kitchen. While many activities were held at the social center, the cost and up-keep made the center a burden for the church. The building was first rented out for a theater and then a bank. It was later razed to make way for the 1966 addition. In 1966, a church office, pastor’s study, elevator, chapel, classrooms, and new entrance was added under Rev. Herbert Null.
In 1997 Plainfield United Methodist Church appointed a building committee to oversee changes that could be made to our existing building to address the challenges of more people and too little space. In 2004 work was begun to demolish the 1966 addition, to remodel the sanctuary, and add a two-story wing of Sunday School rooms, offices, and gathering spaces. During the remodeling the congregation met for worship at Lincoln Elementary School off of Route 126. The project was made possible in large part by the generous donations left by the estates of Janet Brown, whose land will be sold in order to offset part of the debt of construction, and of Dick and Dorothy Parks, who have donated nearly 2.5 million dollars. Their investment in our community and church’s future will allow the ministries of our church to flourish with necessary space and equipment.
Plainfield United Methodist Church is the oldest congregation in the Northern Illinois Conference. Our buildings over the years are only the external signs of the internal realties of God’s grace and our people’s faithfulness to Christ and His message to the world.
