1000 S. Washington St.

Lockport, Illinois 60441

(815) 838 1017

Worship Hours

Saturday:  5:00 pm

Sunday:   10:30 am

Sunday School

9:00 am for all ages

Rev. Joseph Kim

First United Methodist Church

Lockport, Illinois

Lockport First - Winter 1838

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First United Methodist Church of Lockport

1000 South Washington Street

Lockport, Illinois 60441

(815) 838-1017

Email us at: 1UMCLOCKPORT@AMERITECH.NET

The Rev. Joseph Kim   

Pastor

Office Hours: Tuesday: 10 am-1:30 pm

Ms. Mary Schehr

Administrative Assistant

Office Hours : Mon.- Fri. 8:30 am - 12 noon

Telephone Numbers

Church office (815) 838-1017

Church Fax (815) 838-1614

Emergency Pastoral Care - 24 Hours

Dearest Church Family,

It is with great joy and anticipation that we send these tidings to our future church family. We pray that this letter finds you well in health and in Christ. We pray that our church has endured to spread Christ’s message of hope and salvation, and to continue his good works.

We send this missive as a message of hope and as proof that God is good. Under the leadership of Rev. William S. Crissey we are now official members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our “Class” as Rev. Crissey calls us, is the first of its kind in Runyontown. We are eleven members strong. We are committed to growing our church and spreading the good word of Christ to all who will listen. We do not have a church building yet as do the Presbyterians and the Baptists. For now, we take turns meeting in the cabins of our members, or we gather in the groves, for they are, after all, “God’s first temples.”

For Sunday worship, people come from miles around to hear the good Reverend preach and to join together for food and fellowship. We hitch our oxen or horses to our wagons and travel into the settlement, giving rides to those without the means to travel on their own. For many, the trip takes two hours or more. So, we come prepared to spend a good part of the day in prayer and fellowship. Church is the only honest means of recreation and community in these parts, and has become as important to us as home and school.

 It is difficult to believe that five years have passed since the Blackhawk Indian War. Many settlers perished. Many others, including Armstead Runyon, the founder of Runyontown, fled to Fort Dearborn with their families until the spring of 1832 when it was safe to return. Many of us came back because this land is rich with resources and brimming with opportunity. The last of the Red Men left Illinois three years ago. More businesses are coming in. Schools are being built. It is a good time to build a home and grow a community.

Before praying for our safe travels home, Rev. Crissy often leaves us with a question, one he challenges us to ruminate on until we come together once more in Christian fellowship. We ask this question now of you, our future faith family: How will you walk in Christ this week, this month, this year, before you come together again to worship at God’s table? How will you spread God’s good news? What legacy will you leave your future faith family?

Faith, family, fellowship, and community sustained us through the hard times, and lift us up as we grow our church. Our prayers are that these pillars remain steadfast and true for you, our future faith family as you spread God’s love through faith and works.

Yours in Christ ,

The First Class of The Methodist Episcopal Church

Runyontown, Juliet Circuit