Olympia Fields United Methodist Church's 50th Anniversary

Anniversary Theme: “We’ve Come This Far By Faith”

                                                            Romans 5:1-2 & Proverbs 22:6

Olympia Fields United Methodist Church, 20301 Western Avenue, Olympia Fields, IL 60461 will be celebrating it’s 50th anniversary on Sunday, September 16th, 2012 during the regular morning worship service at 9:30 a.m. with a celebration following. The first Pastor and organizer of the early Church, Rev. Kenneth Dean, will be participating in the anniversary service.

In 1962 there was gathering of local people who were interested in organizing a Methodist Church in the Olympia Fields community. As is typical for a Methodist Church a picnic soon followed as well as a number of potlucks. The first elected officers of the new church engaged the Little Theater at Rich Central High School for use as a temporary place of worship. Charter Sunday was December 2nd, 1962 with 103 members representing 38 families. Enthusiasm was so great that a building committee was named immediately. The groundbreaking ceremony, on February 9th, 1964, was preceded by a morning service at Rich Central High School. The first Service in the new building was held on August 30th, 1964.

The following was taken from the “Every Member Canvass” by Rev. Kenneth Dean, sometime before the completion of the new church in the fall of 1964:

“We look forward to the day this fall when, together in our new home for the first time, we shall raise our voices in His Praise… and this prospect fills us with deserved pleasure.

But as we watch our church grow, we know that we are not building for just that day or just for ourselves, but rather for the years of days to follow and for the hundreds of others who will one day worship in our church.”

As this was written almost 50 years ago, this still holds true for today’s members. It was not just a new building that they were celebrating almost 50 years ago, but also a way of life in a community of faith in God and fellowship with each other. Hopefully, in another 50, 100, 200 years, the members and friends of Olympia Fields United Methodist Church  (OFUMC) will still be celebrating, worshipping and growing in faith.

            The current Pastor, Reverend Leona Tichenor, describes the ministry of OFUMC as helping people experience their story of connection to God’s story.  In worship, in education in community and in mission OFUMC lives the story of Christ’s people.

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Contact information: Reverend Leona Tichenor  (708) 481-5928