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Baptist Church to Mark Fifth AnniversaryFirst Baptist church of Park Forest will observe the church’sfifth anniversary at a dinner Friday at 7:30 p.m. The annual roll call of members will also betaken.Dr. W. A. Diman, executivesecretary of the Chicago Baptistassociation, will be guest speaker. Dr. D i m a n is a frequentspeaker for pastors’ conferences, laymen’s retreats and youth rallies and has had a life-long relationship with the Baptist denomination. He received his ABdegree in 1931 from William Jewell college and his BD degree from Northern Baptist Theological seminary. In 1947, Shurtleff college, Alton, 111., conferred upon him the honorarydoctor of divinity degree.THE FIRST Baptist church of Park Forest had its beginning in March of 1953 when a smallgroup interested in a Baptist work in Park Forest began a Bible study class. The group met in the various homes on Thursday nights and the teacher was Dr. James D. Mosteller, associateprofessor of church history atthe Northern Baptist Theologicalseminary in Chicago.In less than four months aSunday school and worship service were begun at the nursery school at 26th and Western. Har-Dr. W. A. Dim anthe church for more than a year and a half.On March 1, 1954, the First Baptist church of Park Forest was formally organized. A total of 60 came as charter memberspresent pastor of the church, began his work as the first fulltime pastor on August 1, 1955,and in October of that year theBaptist group rented the music-room of Rich high school inwhich to hold worship services.The first mid-week prayer serv ice was held on August 10.The site of the First Baptistof Park Forest at thechurchsouthwest corner of Orchard and Westwood was dedicated onMarch 3, 1957, and groundbreaking day was observed on Sunday, February 2, 1958. The education building, which was erected on this site, was dedicated on November 23, 1958, andleased tois currently being school district No. 163 for elementary classes during the week. A sanctuary and a parsonage will be constructed sometime inthe future.Dinner ticket donations are$1.50 for adults and 75 centsfor children. Reservations can bemade with Mrs. Robert Schweitzer by dialing Pilgrim 4-4689.via wv vaiiiv oo viioi tvi iiiwiiii/via j i i • # •on March 7 by letter, statement MCCting Or UlSCUSSIOFIand baptism. Dr. Mosteller returned to the church as interimGroup Slated Sundayold Smith, a student at Northernseminary, served as student pas-pastor and Mr. Smith served asConnie Blumer will lead theassistant pastor. The church wasaccepted into the Chicago Baptist association and thereby intodiscussion at the regular weekly meeting of the adult discussionheld at 8:30 a.m. Sun-the American Baptist conventionon May 11, 1954.group,day, at Faith United Protestant church. Park Forest.Report social activities to the
Newspaper Details
Park Forest Star
Park Forest, Illinois, US
Tue, Mar 03, 1959
Page 53
Full Page
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USA 03 Feb 2023
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