Our Story
About FPCD
First Presbyterian Church of DuPage is a diverse Christian community who lives by Faith, is sustained by Hope, and shines the light of God’s Love into the world. Our call is to live together in faith, hope, and love through inter-generational, inter-cultural, community-based ministry and worship.
In addition to worshiping together at 10 am every Sunday morning, FPCD offers a wide variety of opportunities to fellowship, serve, and learn together. See our front page blog and calendar for all our events. And learn more about our community partners here. We are a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
We hope you will join us to worship and to participate in a community event!
Our History
The seed of First Presbyterian Church of DuPage (then known as DuPage Presbyterian Church) was planted on July 13, 1833 in a small hickory log schoolhouse. The multitude of people who worshiped at the church on its first day overcrowded the little schoolhouse, so the service was moved outdoors.
It wasn’t until February 24, 1853 that a church building was erected and a parsonage constructed. The church was the center of social and religious activity for many decades. A very strong Sunday School and Women’s Missionary Society helped keep the focus on the true work of the church: Sharing good news of Jesus Christ, Redeemer and Savior of all who accept him as such.
Rev. Larry McCulloch guided the church from 1967-1998 to successfully transition from rural, farm-family church into an urban church. The “old roots” provide the “family friendly” and caring characteristics that the church is noted for today.
Our present church building was built in 2004 from a bequest from the estate of Frances Mable Patterson (church Sunday school secretary for 62 years) and her brother, Warren (Bud). The new building incorporates many of the elements from the old building. Rev. Mark Hughey pastored the church from 2005 – 2015, and Rev. Eric Heinekamp served as interim pastor from 2015 – 2021.
On November 15, 2021, Rev. KJ Norris began as our full-time pastor and currently serves in the call to lead us in God’s mission of hope, faith, and love.
Words could not describe God’s goodness in this place, and all of the glory belongs to God. The lives that have been changed, the stories won, and the families rescued have all been by God’s amazing grace. To God be all the glory for God’s wonderful works at First Presbyterian Church of DuPage.
Want to learn more about our 190+ year history? Church Historian Roy Altonen and Church Librarian Nancy Hackett teamed up to create the book Historical Sketch of the First Presbyterian Church of DuPage 1833 – 2023. You can get your copy from the church office for just $20! Learn more here.