History

The Founding of Oak Brook

In 1965, the Village of Oak Brook, Illinois, was breaking into the news. Mr. Paul Butler, known especially for his business leadership in developing the Butler Paper Company and Butler Aviation, had conceived a dream for an ideal village. His dream was geared for residents of the upper middle class, office facilities for "AAA" business corporations, international sporting events, and one of the nation's finest shopping centers. What had been ten polo fields and raw fox hunting country just north of Hinsdale was to become a planned village known throughout the county as one of the most desirable places to work, live and play.

When his dream was made known to the public, both commercial and residential building began in earnest. But, there was no church included. Upon the advice of his general manager, Mr. Butler decided he would prefer to have one dynamic community church to serve the spiritual needs of the growing businesses.

Worship Services of Christ Church of Oak Brook began on Easter Sunday, April 18, 1965. Eight weeks after the first service was held, professional musicians were employed to develop a choir and music ministry. When the congregation grew to a membership of 45 family units in September, 1966, a second minister joined the staff to assist in education, but with primary responsibilities for the youth program.





In January, 1968, with a membership of 82 family units, the congregation pledged $217,000 to initiate a building fund. A million dollar building was begun in November of 1968 on the prime 8.7 acre site which Mr. Butler donated to the church at the corner of York Road and 31st Street. This building project contained the sanctuary and the first educational unit of a visionary master plan designed for a 3,000 member congregation!

To some, that vision seemed irrationally ambitious. But the founders had a God-sized dream of having a God-graced impact on the surrounding community and world. On Palm Sunday, 1970, the congregation moved from its home in the Butler School gymnasium to its newly completed building at the corner of York and 31st. The average attendance immediately jumped from 450 in the school gym to 1,000 in the new sanctuary. However, due to continued growth, the Sunday School remained at the Butler School for most of its classes.

By Palm Sunday a year later, the average Sunday morning attendance at Worship Service necessitated so many chairs in addition to the 1,200 available pew seats that a second morning service was initiated!

In August, 1971, the next educational building on the master plan was begun, which added 16,000 square feet and brought the Sunday School from the public school facilities to the church site. The building expansion was completed in the spring of 1972.

In 1975, the church's campus was increased to 15 acres and ground was broken for the completion of the last stage of the original Master Plan. Dedication of the Garden Chapel and completed facilities took place in October, 1976. The church continued its growth pattern into the 80's and in September of 1985 began a third Sunday morning service.

The Tree Branches Out

By 1985 the church had outgrown its 4,000 member capacity and began to make plans for additional space. In 1986, a 30,000 square foot addition was begun to provide for a new Student Center, an expanded Fellowship Hall, new educational space, and a new library and counseling center. These improvements were dedicated early in 1988.

In May 1992, ground was broken at opposite ends of the church campus to handle both the expanding educational and music programs of the congregation. Along Fellowship Hall, 12 new classrooms were added Along the Sanctuary, a new rehearsal room for the Chancel Choir was created below ground and several other rooms redesigned to better support the music ministry.

In January 1997, the church's First and Founding Family, Dr. Arthur & Gladys DeKruyter, were honored at a retirement celebration, recognizing their 32 years of service to Christ Church.

The Second Season

In March 1997, the Rev. Daniel Meyer was installed as the congregation's second Senior Pastor, joining a now large and gifted team of pastors, program directors, and lay leaders. By God's grace, the church continued to grow in ministry and outreach.

In September 2001, ground was broken again to begin work on the addition of three new meeting rooms, a state-of-the art Media Center to undergird the church's growing broadcast outreach, a doubling of the Kitchen, and the creation of a new Preschool entrance atrium and parking lot. This work was completed in 2002.  

In 2004 an additional campaign was held that covered the purchase of additional property on York Road and provided for numerous cosmetic improvements to the current facility.

In 2006, the congregation moved once again to upgrade the church's campus to increase its ability to connect well with all generations.  The Sanctuary chancel was expanded and renovated to preserve its "classic but current" aesthetic.  Three trinity-themed stained glass windows were added under the design of artist, Dale Olsen. A new two-story Children's Discovery Center was built and the adjacent Nursery and Children's Wing renovated to contemporary standards.  A new Bridgeway was added to connect the Sanctuary, Preschool wing, and Special Needs Parking area.  The adjoining Preschool Playyard was also completely redone. These improvements were all completed in 2008.

Subsequent years saw the renovation of the Fellowship Hall sound and lighting systems and the institution of a state-of-the-art security network.  Two new worship services were added -- on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. (2009) and on Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. (2011) -- to connect with a broadening array of worshippers.

In January 2011, the church mourned the death of it's Founding Pastor.  A Celebration of the Life and Ministry of Dr. DeKruyter was held and the congregation re-confirmed its commitment to the disciple-making mission with which the church began.