Our History
We are part of the
Apostolic Christian Church of America with origins in Switzerland (1830s) and a presence in America since 1847. The denomination – influenced by Anabaptist teachings – has a rich heritage of preaching the gospel and living sanctified lives through the grace and truth of Jesus Christ.
A New Frontier 1925 - 1937
The Chicago Apostolic Christian Church has been serving the Chicagoland area since 1925. The congregation first became organized by meeting in homes or apartments in the Near West Side neighborhood. Many were young women from central Illinois or rural Indiana working as domestics or Swiss-German immigrants seeking employment in the city.
The small satellite group was served by the ministers from established Apostolic Christian churches (Elgin, IL; Cissna Park, IL; LaCrosse, IN; and Leo, IN). The worshippers were pioneering a new frontier for the rural-based brotherhood by establishing a city congregation in the 1920s.
Sunnyside Years 1937 - 1972
In the aftermath of the 1929 stock market crash, an influx of Apostolic Christians moved to the city, creating a need for a larger, more permanent place of worship. In 1937, the founding fathers purchased and remodeled a church building at 2122 W. Sunnyside Ave. near Ravenswood. The refurbished building – affectionally called “Sunnyside” – had a small apartment on the second floor and a kitchen/dining room in the basement.
For 35 years, Sunnyside provided a place of worship for the faithful brethren spread throughout the Chicagoland region. As the demographics of the congregation changed with more members and friends living in the suburbs, the congregation transitioned their place of worship from the city to the suburbs.
A Haven in Hillside 1972 - 2000
Land was purchased at 1401 S. Wolf Rd., Hillside, and construction plans were made for a brand-new church near the interchanges of I-294 and I-290. Sunnyside was sold, and the first services in the new edifice were held on June 4, 1972. Over the course of time, residential properties surrounding the church were purchased and sold to accommodate the maintenance needs of the church with an onsite caretaker of the building.
A growth surge in the ‘80s and ‘90s prompted a major construction project on the Wolf Road building in 1995/1996. The two-story expansion included a new dining room and fellowship space, increased Sunday school space, and improved bathrooms and baby room to accommodate the growing needs of the congregation.
Dawn of a New Era 2000 - present
The turn of the century ushered in a new millennium with significant, life-changing elements: the World Wide Web, 9/11 Terrorist Attacks, two long-lasting American wars (Iraq and Afghanistan), a global pandemic (COVID-19) and a sharply divided political landscape. Digital content exploded, which facilitated an increased connectedness of the local congregation to the national brotherhood.
Adjustments are a present-day reality as the congregation continues to follow in the steps of Jesus as a connected, steadfast community of faith.
Everyone is Welcome!
Through the ever-present winds of change, the doors of the church are always open to welcome the seeking soul, serving all ages and backgrounds. A comprehensive registry has been compiled of all who have called Chicago church “home” over the years, including years of attendance, births, baptisms, weddings, deaths and burials of the brethren, and those who have served on the pulpit ministry. The registry is available upon request.
Centennial Celebration September 20-21, 2025
A weekend centennial celebration and memorial service are planned for Saturday, September 20th and Sunday, September 21st , and all previous residents are welcome to join in the reunion. A new book –
For His Name’s Sake: History of the Chicago Apostolic Christian Church 1925-2025
– will be available for a small donation. Details will be forthcoming.
"Mine eyes and my heart shall be there perpetually."
1 Kings 9:3