Churches of Mount Prospect

When was it founded: 1945

Where is it located: 700 South Meier Road

Has it moved: No

First Pastor or Priest: James Prendergast

History and interesting stories about the church:

Established in 1945, Saint Cecilia’s was not fortunate enough to have its own house of worship. As a result, Sunday masses were held at Forest View High School; while, the Rectory chapel at 2009 West Scott Terrace observed daily masses, confessions, and baptisms. The first priest assigned to the church was Father James Prendergast who, as the church grew in June 1968, received assistance from Father William Barry. A church was eventually built to house Saint Cecilia’s congregation and it was dedicated for use on November 22, 1970. While the building was sufficient for the church at that time, as the years passed, as the congregation grew, it was no longer able to fulfill the church’s various needs. Recognizing this fact in 1996, Father Daniel Brady, Saint Cecilia’s third priest, spearheaded the campaign to expand the church building by roughly 6000 squared feet to incorporate multi-purpose rooms, restrooms, and music rooms. Also, plans were drawn to expand the parish hall by 8100 squared feet in order to provide more space for the church’s 1600 families. The expansion plans were approved, and a year later construction had stopped, the extensions were complete. Around that same time, in 1997, Fathers Sonny Rivera and Sam Cunningham began to lead weekly masses in Spanish in an effort to reach the growing Hispanic community in Mount Prospect as well as to develop a relationship with Hispanic Roman Catholics.

When was it founded: October 1955

Where is it located: 300 North Elmhurst Avenue

Has it moved: No

First Pastor or Priest: David Noreen

History and interesting stories about the church:

Without a formal organization, official pastor, or building of its own, The Covenant Fellowship of Mount Prospect nevertheless held its first worship service June 5, 1955 at Fairview School with Student Pastor David Noreen presiding. The church continued to exist independently until October 30, when the formal organization of Northwest Covenant Church took place with over 52 charter members. Although the church was officially recognized, it was still without its own house of worship. However, the purchase and April 12, 1959 dedication of a building by Northwest Covenant ended the church’s search for a permanent worship site. The next recorded pastor after Student Pastor Noreen is Clarence Agard who finished his service to Northwest Covenant in March 1967.

When was it founded: 1960

Where is it located 1624 East Euclid Avenue

Has it moved: No

Notable Members: Gloria Rees Hansen, Dolores Haugh

First Pastor or Priest: Albert Weidlich

History and interesting stories about the church:

In early 1959, Albert Weidlich came to Mount Prospect as a mission developer intending to capture the interest of the local community. Finding their curiosities piqued, interested individuals assembled to attend the first worship service of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church on June 21, 1959. However, it was not until six months later on January 29, 1960 that the church was legally recognized. In its early years, Grace Lutheran experienced much growth, its congregation exponentially increasing with new members. It continued to develop at such a frantic pace that from 1966 to 1967, a second building was added to comfortably accommodate the church and its parishioners. Five years later in 1972, it appeared to be the end of an era as Grace Lutheran witnessed the departure of Pastor Weidlich and the arrival of Reverend Kenneth Granquist. Under the guidance of the new religious leader, there seemed to be a rebirth in the church’s focus. Rather than concentrating on the internal, the church itself, Grace Lutheran shifted its attention to the external, the outlying community. Through the creation of community need-based programs addressing alcoholism, drug abuse, and social groups, the church succeeded and is still succeeding in reaching out to their neighbors.

The congregation’s loyalty and faith to Grace Lutheran can be witnessed at every worship service. However, parishioner Gloria Rees Hansen had furthered this devotion by creating a cross inspired by Bible verses: John 1:14, Matthew 26:14-16. Residing prominently on a wall behind the alter, the cross is studded with 63 pieces of brazed bronze: 33 symbolizing a year in Jesus’s life, 30 symbolizing the silver pieces paid to Judas for his betrayal of Jesus. The cross still serves as a vivid reminder to the parishioners of their commitment to both God and church.