About

The congregation was organized in 1922 with a membership of 15 people. The original church was built in the same year and located at the southwest corner of 159th street Oak Avenue. The congregation was served by student pastors untill July 1957, when the first full-time pastor, the Reverend William Henzlik, was appointed.
As the population of Oak Forest continued to grow, it became apparent to the congregation that a larger facility would be needed to minister to a growingcommunity and congregation. Therefore, in 1959 and 1962, land was purchased at 159th street and Lorel Avenue for the purpose of constructing a new and larger church edifice. Ground breaking ceremonies were held in December 1962, and the cornerstone was laid on Sunday, May 26, 1963, with the late Bishop Charles W. Brashares presiding. The congregation continued to grow and expand its ministries. In 1980, the conregation moved into another exciting phase in it's journey of faith and ministry. Because of a growing Sunday school and other expanding ministries, a new addition was constructed which doubled the space of the church facility. The project was appropiately titled "Another Step Forward in Faith." Classrooms, choir room, church lounge, new offices for staff and handicapped, accessible restrooms on both levels were included on the new construction. Ground-breaking occurred July 13, 1980 and the building was consecrated June 21, 1981 by Bishop Jesse DeWitt.
Through its 77-year history, the Oak Forest United Methodist Church has always sought to bring the love of Christ to the community and the larger world. In 1973 the church founded the Oak Forest Preschool. More recently, the church was instrumental in founding the helping agency, "Together We Cope". Also, mission teams have been sent to Kentucky, South Dakota and twice to Pachica, Chile. In every case members were incolved in construction projects that improved the lives of children.
The current congregation of three-hundred members will continue to respond to God's call as the church lives out its historic priestly and prophetic roles - to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable - in service to the world.