History of United in Faith

United in Faith Celebrates Growth and Transformation

United in Faith is a community of united disciples offering gifts to the world that can be found no place else. Our journey as a "new church" began on Chicago's Northwest Side more than ten years ago when eight struggling congregations- Gladstone Park, Holy Communion, Medill, Nebo, Our Lord's, Our Savior, Peace, and St. Andrew's- were transformed with joy into a new ministry. Eight churches closed their doors, bid their pastors farewell and sold their buildings to embrace God's calling.

Our community of faith was ceremoniously reborn into a single new church on Easter Sunday, April 12, 1998 as hundreds worshipped at Taft High School and expressed their fervent belief that a consolidated ministry could offer more to God and the world than its eight small church bodies. United in Faith became a model for the new church in the new century. Chicago Metropolitan Synod bishop Ken Olsen said on that Sunday, "I believe this church will become a leader in urban ministry. The primary mission of this new church will be serving, rather than being served."

United in Faith has, indeed, risked change and pushed out of its comfort zone to serve God and others. We have gladly accepted God's invitation to go and do. We have accomplished what few faith communities have done. In 2000 we renovated one half (13,000 square feet) of the former Vail Printing Co. building, 6525 Irving Park Road, as our modern, fully-accessible new home. We moved in in November. In 2000 we also welcomed Pastors Greg and Dawn Moser who have energetically focused our robust plan for spirit-filled mission. Our outreach and youth programs flourish, making expansion into our second building (9,500 square feet more) an exciting occasion in 2002.

We open our doors to all who seek help from our service and support ministries. We are partners in mission with St. Cyprian's Food Pantry, the City of Chicago's Golden Diners program, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Al-Anon, Survivors of Incest, and other churches and denominations. We have welcomed more than 100 new members in our first five years. Our mission field is our neighborhood and we celebrate the ministries of all people.

Our plans for the future, in keeping with our eight core values - weekly worship, every person who walks through our doors, the gospel of Jesus, prayer, faith development, feeding the hungry, working for justice, and engaging all people in the life of the church - include expanding our intentional outreach ministry to urban families that are stressed out, struggling and looking for new meaning in their lives.

United in Faith is a community on the move. There's so much more to say... but we suggest you stop by sometime and feel the spirit of our Lord!

History of United in Faith

United in Faith is a relatively young congregation.  We have decided to document our history in five-year increments.  The following two documents detail our history for the past ten years:

United in Faith: A Five-Year Journey, 1998 – 2003

The Journey Continues: Years 6 - 10, 2003 - 2008