Religion Was Essential Throughout New Lenox's History

From the arrival of the first settlers in the Hickory Creek area, religion was an essential element in their lives. Around 1829, Rev. Jesse Walker began riding the circuit from his headquarters in Plainfield into what was to become the New Lenox area. At first his message was carried to Native Americans until permanent settlers began arriving. Rev. Walker died in 1835.

In 1853, the Bethel [Hickory Creek-Chelsea] Church was built between Frankfort and New Lenox townships along what we now know as Lincoln Highway/RT. 30. In 1863, due to increases in population, it was decided to build church buildings in both townships.

Bethel Church was dismantled and the materials from this structure were used in the construction of the congregation's second church building, this one in the village of New Lenox, which at that time was platted as the “Village of Tracy."  The building was erected on Lot 6 Block 6 on Hickory Street, just east of Pine Street. It was called the Methodist Meeting House because of its one story “meeting style” with a spire.

In 1899, the Methodists moved to their third church building, erected on the corner of Church Street and Haven Avenue at a cost of $11,040.65, which was paid in full in two years. On July 12, 1899, a service was held for the laying of the cornerstone for the church building; inside the cornerstone was a copper box and inside the box were a Bible, a Methodist Discipline and a history of the church written by Fred S. Haven.

After the Civil War, the 21-acre Cold Stream Campground, on the west edge of town, was purchased by the Centenary Campground Association of the Rock River Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church for the purpose of holding religious camp meetings during the summer months. This was organized by four local Methodist church leaders: George Barr, Charles Francis, Fred Haven and Cal Nichols.

In the late 1920s, Mr. Arvid Swanson, a member of the Methodist Church, donated poles and built a cabin for the Boy Scouts at the campground. In 1965, when the campground was no longer used by the Joliet-Dixon District for camping purposes, the property was put up for sale. At a special session of the quarterly conference on August 12, 1965, the Board of Trustees of the New Lenox Methodist Church was authorized to purchase the approximately 21 acres of land from the Centenary Camp Meeting Association for $50,000.00.

In 1976, ground breaking services were held for the congregation's fourth building (cost $500,000.00) on the old campground property, located at 339 West Haven Ave, New Lenox, IL. The church building was dedicated on June 26, 1977. In 1989, the first addition to the new building was completed, providing space for educational opportunities and the Glenn E. Ames Memorial Chapel, which also included a multipurpose area. A second addition was completed in 2007, expanding the sanctuary and adding a new kitchen, offices and additional meeting space. 

In 2010, the United Methodist Church of New Lenox was honored as a Sesquicentennial Church by the Illinois State Historical Society as a church of 150 years or more of continuous service. Research done by Diane Batson & Pam Bloom identified the origins of the congregation dating to 1835, rather than 1845, as previously thought. 2010 marked the congregation’s 175th year of service to God and the community. In 2011, the Boy Scout Cabin, which remains essentially the same in appearance as it was when it was built, and is the only building left from the old campground, was honored as a historic landmark by the Will County Historic Preservation Commission.