Seeking a New Church in Downers Grove

My family attends Evangelical Free Church of Naperville (efcn.org ###-###-####). It is on 63rd/Hobson Rd. and Wehrli/Yackley/College (1551 E. Hobson Rd.). It is a big church, but has many small groups and lots of family centered activities. The children's programs are awesome. During Sunday services, the church the church has separate programs and childcare for children as young as 3 months up through high school, I believe. They just completed their VBS a couple of weeks ago. The children's teaching team created their own program, rather than using a canned program that serviced 500 children! EFCN also runs AWANA on Wednesday nights for K-6th grade. The church has 4 services over the weekend. On Saturday there is a 5:00 service that is a sacramental service. It serves those that have a Catholic background with a mixture of evangelical practices. The Saturday 6:00 and Sunday 11:00 services are more contemporary with great music and excellent teachings. The Sunday 9:30 service has the same teachings as the 6 and 11 services, but with a little more traditional feel. I live in the Hillcrest area in Downers and it takes less than 15 minutes to get to church. It's a great church that has brought my entire family closer to God.

Hi C.,

My entire family is crazy about Community Christian Church in Naperville (and 7 other local locations). I attended Catholic church my whole life then with my kids and ex(I am even a Catholic school graduate) Once we were invited to CCC, my kids begged me to never return to 'the old boring church". Admittedly I had a small amout of difficulty with the drastic change. If I am ever ill and cannot take them, they will make phone calls on their own to get rides to church! It is a non-denominational Bible based Christian Church that is very accepting of all that walk through the doors. Their childrens' programs is unbelievable. Please look up the website communitychristian.org

J.

Oak Brook community church on 31st and Midwest road has a great church and a very active children's program. Also Trinity lutheran church on rte 53 and 57th street has a dynamic children's program.
Both are very family oriented churches that are very welcoming.

Hi C.,
We live in Chicago Ridge, but my husbands church is in Lombard! We drive that far because A.) We love the church, and B.) My husband and his family have been attending for 35 years!
The Church is located at 535 East Maple Street in Lombard and it is called Berean Bible Students. We have attenders that come from every where including Downers Grove! Come out and see us one Sunday, we would love to have you visit with us!

K. L.

I have attended St. Luke Presbyterian, on Highland next to Good Samaritan Hospital, my whole life. It is a smaller church with a very warm and welcoming congregation. Many opportunites to get involved in the growth and direction of the church on a personal level. My husband joined when we married 6 years ago though he was raised Catholic. He and others call it "Catholic Light" :)

Hi C.,

We attend Christ Church of Oakbrook which is a non-denominational Bible based church. We have been going there for three years now and we really love it. Our two daughters are in the choir and they also enjoy the childrens programs that are available. I highly recommend it. Visit their website to learn more. www.cc-ob.org

I'd echo what a few responders have said about the United Methodist churches...very open, very eager to have a range of faith backgrounds included.

I've been a Methodist my whole life, as my family relocated when I was young, and through college and now adult years - the one common thread I found in each Methodist church was the welcoming environment and inclusive nature. I searched around the Glen Ellyn/Lombard/Villa Park area and settled at First United Methodist of Elmhurst (corner of York and Church streets). Great church, young and very family oriented. Now with two kids, the children's programs are the most important to me. I've been really happy attending.

Services are at 8:30 & 10:30 year round. Sunday School at 9:30. Children's activities all morning long (and child care for the youngest).

Good luck in your search!

The Christian Church of Clarendon Hills is a wonderful, family-oriented church. Everyone is friendly and they have excellent classes and programs for kids of all ages. Their website is www.ccch.org. Check it out! :-)

Hi C.. I to was raised Catholic also but like to go to different churches. I know there is a church in Downers Grove on Main and Maple (not sure what kind) that many people like and I am told that they have a wonderful program for children.I have never gone there put would like to try it.
There is also a church on 63rd west of RT53 (about a 10 minute ride) on the right side f the street, again I'm not sure of the name but I could get it for youu. This church my girlfriend goes to and it is all domonanation. She loves it.
If your name is still up here later today I will get you the names of both churches and write you back. Good Luck.

Hi C.!
I live in Western Springs, Il (very close to you) and am the mother of four children - two boys 11 and almost 10, and two girls, almost 8 and 5 years old.

My church is St. John of the Cross Catholic Church on 51st street and wolf road in Western Springs. I know that over the years we have had students in our school from Downers' Grove. My children attend the parish school, and there is a preschool at St. John's as well.

Our parish is very, very "kid and family friendly". Particularly at the 9 am and 10:45 Sunday masses. Also, there is a wonderful "Youth Cathecesis" program for parish kids who attend other schools. You could call the parish and ask to speak to my friend, Barb Campbell, about the youth cathecesis program if you would like detailed information.

If you are interested, it might be best to drop by for a mass sometime, and pick up a church bulletin. The bulletin is very comprehensive, and will give you an idea of all of the programs available to you and your family. Also, you could tour the school and/or visit the youth cathecesis office at any time. Just call at ###-###-####.

I hope it works out! Best of luck!

Jacqueline McDonnell

Hello C.,
Welcome to Downers Grove!!! You are going to love this town. It's a great town to raise a family. Just wanted to let you know about a wonderful welcoming church right in the heart of downtown Downers Grove.
Immanuel Lutheran church is located on the corner of Carpenter and Grove street. My husband and I were both raised catholic but changed over when our daughters went to preshool at this awesome church. We were welcomed with open arms and never judged. We joined this church because it stood for everything we beleived in and I truly believe God put us here.
We encourage you to attend the 10:00 sunday service which is a contemporary service and great for the children as well. We also have what is called Christcare groups which are small groups that get together to read books or do bible studies or get together and just talk about the Christian walk. I would love to meet with you and your family if you are interested.
you can email me at ____@____.com and we can chat.
Hope to talk soon.
Thanks,S.

Try Christ Church of OakBrook www.cc-ob.org. It is an interdenominational church and has a lot of "mixed-marriage" Christians. They have a wonderful kids Sunday school programs and just about everything else.

C., you are definitely on a search. My husband I did the same thing about 7 years ago. We live in Aurora and settled on Southminster Presbyterian Church in Glen Ellyn. I don't know if that would be to far for you or not. We're just west of 53 and Butterfield (not too far from the Arboretum) We are a fairly small, and I would consider intimate, church. The Sunday School program is small, but my kids really enjoy it. We're a very diverse church when it comes to religious backgrounds. Many of the people that are members were raised Catholic and have found a wonderful home with us. If you interested in attending, just let me know.

Hi Cary,
A couple other responders already mentioned the First United Methodist church on Maple/Main. We've gone there since November and really like it. It's pretty laid back and open to all. They have a really great children's education guy (John Smoke--also a 3rd grade teacher) and a nice Sunday School program. (The kids can go to Sunday school while the parents are in the regular service so they don't get bored.) There are a lot of kids. It's a big church (I think 800 or so), which I like because you can be as involved or not as you want, but not a "mega-church". It's not like someone's going to give you a hard time if you only want to attend periodically but you will recognize people and get to know them over time. As far as donating money, it's not pushy and it's a "give what you want" philosophy. The current service hours are 8:30 and 10 until after Labor Day. Then it goes back to the regular times (I think 8:30, 9:30 and 11, but check the website to make sure!). Hope that's helpful.

I belong to the Methodist Church in Schaumburg and there is a great one in Downers Grove - just east of Main - just south of downtown. We have a lot of ex-catholics in our church - they also have a great sunday school program. Their address is 1032 Maple Ave. Phone number is ###-###-####. They also have a web site. Hope that helps.

my family and i go to the First Baptist Church of Downers Grove. I really like it. i really like the sunday school for the kids, they also have a school atached the the church. If i was you i would try a few out, go visiting and see what church if going to work best for your family. Good Luck

The church in DG she's talking about is First United Methodist Church. It has a great kids program. I grew up going there, went all the way through the high school program. Most of my best friends, whom I'm still best friends with today, I met there. It is definitely casual and open minded. You should try it out this fall. I think they go back to their regular schedule in September, where there is Sunday School at 9:30am. They do have 3 services, 8am, 9:30am, and 11am. They usually last 1 hour, the high school choir sings at the 9:30 service, the adult choir at the 11am. They do have a website if you just google FUMC Downers Grove. Oh and for your one year old, they have a nursery that he can play in.