Welcome to a Part of the Great and Holy Story!

First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield is part of the larger story that God in Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit is telling to the world and through the world about God’s redeeming love and gracious purposes. We are part of the story of God’s love in the world, and we welcome you to every part of telling it and living it with joy!

Our Mission

“Mission” is a word we hear in business, in education, in politics and in the Bible. Mission here at First Presbyterian is about having an assignment to be open to God’s purposes of love and to live those purposes in heart, mind, soul, and strength toward God and toward our neighbor. Together, we want to live like and love like Jesus. It’s not that we’re such great or perfect people. It is that we have a great and gracious God who wants to do this work of beauty and goodness through us for the world God loves. We are so grateful to be called to “demonstrate” God’s love as a family of faith. Come join us. You’ll never be the same.

First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield is a welcoming, Christ-centered congregation committed in faith and love to embracing, nurturing, and equipping all to serve God.

Who is First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield?

FPCD moves forward in faith toward core values that are the strength of our foundation in Christ.

Core Values

Developing our core values began by asking the question, “Where have you experienced God?” These values guide our engagement in our church community and our outreach to the world.

God is Moving — We search for who God is and become who God is calling us to be.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
— Romans 8:28

Worshipping — We are a church that is passionate about creating a worship environment that connects people to God.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God.
— Psalm 100:1-3a

Welcoming — We embrace need with energy, substance, and endurance.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
— 1 Peter 4:8

Celebrating — We celebrate through hands-on mission, joyful worship, and personal connections.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God.
— 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17b

Connecting — We are a church that is committed to cultivating belonging and meaningful relationships.

So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
— Romans 12:5

Ministering — Through our actions and service we are God’s hands and feet in ministry.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
— 1 Peter 4:10

Our Campus and Building

The “cathedral” of Deerfield, First Presbyterian Church’s belltower reaches to the sky and holds to the earth. It reminds all to never count out God’s presence and power and it grounds us in God’s creation where we are called to live out meaningful, hopeful lives. One of the largest bells in North America, housed in the tower calls the community to worship at every hour.

Our facilities provide worship space, classrooms for learning, auditorium and fellowship space for gatherings and events, an indoor loft gymnasium, a commercial grade kitchen, celebration and gathering venues. Buzzing with congregational activity and mission throughout the week, our building is also available to outside groups and community events.

Church Office Hours and Location

Our Church Office is staffed Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Our phone number is 847-945-0560.

During Office hours, please enter the church building on the west side by ringing the intercom bell there. All entryways are protected by video camera recording.

Worship and Special Event Locations

The Great Sanctuary is on the northeast side of the building and may be reached from the east, north, west and south entries. Our praise service and community event space, John Calvin Hall is to be entered on the southside.

Preschool and Childcare

Christian Beginnings, the preschool and childcare of First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield, is located on the southside of our building and campus. Secured by locked entry, you will find a doorbell and intercom for entry at the center door of the southside of the building during school hours, 7:30 a.m. to 6 a.m., Monday-Friday.

Our Team

Suzan Hawkinson

Thom Cunningham

Judy Rundell

Doug Coulter

Adam Gruber

Michael Grippo

Donna Oberg

Kathy Heid

Our Facilities

Our beautiful facilities have an historical significance in Deerfield, IL.

If you have any questions about using or renting our facility for weddings, funerals, etc, please call the Church Office (847-945-0560).

Please note: during Christian Beginnings preschool hours and weekends, the church can be accessed through the northwest office door during work hours. All entrances are monitored and recorded by security cameras for safety. Other doors may be open during limited hours for specific events only, such as worship.

Parking

Parking is available on the north, west and south sides of the Church. Accessible parking is available in all lots.

Accessible Entrances

To enter the Sanctuary, use the north or east entrance, opposite the Deerfield Police Station. To enter John Calvin Hall or the Christian Education wing, use the southeast entrance.

Church Office

The Church office is located nearest the northwest corner of the building, across from the Deerfield Village Hall/Police Station.

Mary Martha Lounge

The Mary Martha Lounge is where we hold small meetings and receptions. It is located across the hall from the Church Office.

The Sanctuary

The Sanctuary is on the north side of the building, and can be reached from the main entrance on Waukegan Road as well as through the northwest entrance.

John Calvin Hall

John Calvin Hall is a medium-sized multipurpose room in the church that holds many community events.

Christian Beginnings

Our pre-school is housed on the south side of the facility. Park in the South Lot and ring the bell to enter.

Our History

Originally home to the Potawatomi, Miami, Kickapoo and Peoria Native Americans, the land upon which the First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield now stands was then a wooded grounds where the native peoples and wildlife of the region found shelter. Early pioneers found the navigable waters of the Des Plaines and Chicago Rivers sufficient grace to also build a village which by 1876 was populated by 150-200 living souls.

Among those early settlers, were a tiny group of men and women English speaking Christians who through study, prayer and goodwill gave their hearts and resources to establish the first seed of our congregation, the Presbyterian Society, formed in May 1876. Among the founders were Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Wilmot---she the first schoolteacher in town, and he a generous man also noted by history as a link in the Underground Railroad that helped enslaved persons escape from bondage and into freedom.

Eleven years after the Civil War had ended in these United States, the First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield, unable to afford a pastor, gave its heart, soul and labor to the offering of a Sunday School for all ages, worship for English speakers and an early commitment to being engaged for Christ’s sake in the heartaches of the world around them.

On an expanse of land, where the chapel and John Calvin Hall now stand, the first building of our church was built by hand—"while families who had teams brought gravel and sand from Lake Michigan…others, who were first-rate carpenters, gave of their time, counting it a privilege to share in the work.” (First Presbyterian Church, 1976). Integral to that first building was a 300 pound bell in the wooden tower that called the farmers and villagers to Sunday worship.

The spirit of lay-person engagement, responsibility taking and call to worship in the community remains forever in the spirit of this congregation.

Times were challenging for the new church during the last decades of the 19th century, but by 1903 it was able to call its first full-time pastor. Steady growth followed, as members continued to learn to serve each other and the world beyond.

Through two world wars, social change, and political upheaval, First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield kept pace in faithfulness and service. From its first 6 members in 1876, by 1970 the rolls of the church exceeded 2300 souls. The church made a commitment to Peacemaking and in the 1960’s composed a Statement on Race Relations and provided a program of conversations in living rooms between both Black and white Americans.

The Board of Deacons, charged with compassionate ministries to all in need, was formed in 1951. By the 1960’s there was increased emphasis on children and youth with Youth Academy, Youth Club, children’s choirs for all ages, youth mission trips and with these, additional staff. This emphasis continues to the present time.

Tuesday Nights Together (TNT), an afterschool program for children 1st Grade to Senior High began over 30 years ago, and still happens every week during the academic year. Music, always an important ministry at FPCD, has been strong and sustained for more than a century. The Church has served as a community service center---making space for a South Asian Congregation in the early 2000’s, a Korean Congregation in 2016, a Muslim Prayer Group in 2023, and a High Holy Day location for a Deerfield Jewish congregation that does not have a building. When the Village Township experienced flood waters in their building FPCD opened its doors and became their space for several months while their building was restored.

In 2013 FPCD became the home of a PADS shelter on Sunday nights, providing safe sleeping quarters, meals and friendship to guests who were navigating no housing options. For more than 50 years FPCD has maintained a shared ministry with friends in the Yucatan Pennisula of Mexico and more recently, since 2011 a partnership with the Christian community in Atebubu, Ghana. In 2022, we began ministry to immigrant friends through a multi-faceted approach---providing assistance to one re-locating family, supporting a car assistance program with our Muslim friends, and preparing to serve as a hosting center for arriving immigrants and asylum seekers in a climate of compassionate need. In 2023 FPCD joined work on housing builds with ReNew.

Over the years, First Presbyterian has been through multiple building projects to serve the ministry and mission of Christ in this place. In 1923 the original building was sold, and a beautiful English Tudor style church was built. In 1963 the present sanctuary was dedicated. The 1960s saw multiple expansions as a church parlor, offices, meetings rooms, the Founder’s Tower and classroom space were added. In 2004 the congregation authorized a multi-use building addition that now stands where the 1923 Chapel once stood. This space provides small group rooms, church dinners and celebration praise worship space. This space was dedicated in 2008. In 2017 an infrastructure renewal campaign was launched that replaced clear windows and restored stained glass, added a rank and repair to the organ, replaced multiple roofs, remodeled the garth and gave new drainage and accessibility to the lower parts of our building. This campaign also funded $100,000 of mission projects and many other much needed projects that support the mission and ministry of our active and vital congregation.

The story of First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield continues as we approach 150 years of service in 2026. Join the story. You belong in our next chapters!