©2009 Community Church. All Rights Reserved
5714 Broadway, Richmond, IL 60071 — 815-678-6521
The Evolution of Community Church
Community Church of Richmond had its beginnings nearly one-hundred years after the Methodist
Episcopal Church was founded by a Circuit Rider in 1838. In 1843 a Congregational Church was
founded in a similar manner. Both churches grew from meetings in a one-room school or homes to
individual church structures. The Congregational building
on George St. built in 1899, became the completed house
of worship and the new Methodist Episcopal building was
built in 1902. These churches prospered until the 1930’s
when attendance of both congregations was very low and
consequently money problems created the need for
serious consideration of a merger.
In June 1937 a committee formed from both churches
and met with Directors from the Congregational and
Methodist Conferences to discuss the situation. This
committee submitted a satisfactory plan to the
Conference heads and October of the same year, the
Community Church was organized. They decided to keep
the Methodist building and sell the other. The
Congregational building was purchased by the newly organized Lutheran church in 1941, and used
as their place of worship until they built their new church on Broadway in 1967.
Since Community church was affiliated with both Methodist and Congregational conferences,
Minister affiliation was alternated. In 1954 pressure was put upon us to choose one affiliation.
Membership had to vote. They chose by one vote to become Congregational.
The first minister was Wilbur J. Hopkins who served from 1937-1941. There are 85 members on
the membership roll for 1937-1938.
The church structure operated with Executive Committee, with the Chairman being the Pastor,
Secretary, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Organist, Religious Education Committee of three
members, Finance committee of four, eight trustees, music committee of seven and a sunshine
committee spreading lots of sunshine with eleven members.
The budget for the year of October 1st, 1937 to September 30th, 1938 totaled $2,500. Pastor’s
salary was $1,500 and the use of the parsonage. Organist and Choir Director were each paid $50.
A janitor received $125. Insurance on both buildings and the parsonage was $90.
The church school had seven teachers and two substitutes. There was a junior and senior choir.
Women’s Council had a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, program committee, kitchen
committee and a pulpit flower committee. There were three individual circles from this group who
did quilting for fund raising and charities, had charge of all social functions and
regularly enjoyed the fellowship of their members every month, in addition to
the council meeting.
Sunday school outgrew the basement classroom and the north classroom
addition was started in October 1957 and dedicated in September 1958.
In 1937 Community Church’s Invitation to All reads:
"A Friendly Church"
The Community Church of Richmond Invites You,
Support it With Your Prayers, Your Presence, Your Gifts, Your Service.
The Invitation still stands.
Irene Borre,
Church Historian
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