Left: last Sunday at 752 E Oak St, The congregation ended the service with the hymn "Blest Be the Tie that Binds." September 2, 1984
Below: breaking ground for the new building on June 16, 1985.
AGING The 1980s saw Central Christian Church choose
and replacement of glass in the “doors and
to leave Kankakee, Illinois. The congregation
windows in the Old Building of our church” was
discussed the future in a congregational meeting
discussed at a board meeting in June of 1983
on June 1, 1980 (lxix). At the time, finances were
“because of gun shooting and broken glass”
strained, with money borrowed from Memorial
(lxxi). Three months later, a theft of furniture
Funds used to pay utilities and only 110 pledges
worth $1050 was stolen from the building
totaling $30,000 turned in for the next fiscal
(lxxii).
year. People had left for better programs in other churches, and the location was blamed for the
In September of 1982, the congregation had an
loss of their own programs, as well as being
offer to buy their building. According to the
“rejected on evangelism in this area” (lxx).
board meeting minutes, “Bill Berry reported that Rev. and Mrs. Williams had looked at our
Changing neighborhood demographics made
church on Wednesday. They were very
some in the congregation feel uneasy and some
impressed. They had offered us a price before,
criminal activity brought fear. Anecdotal stories
but it was not enough. Their church has now
tell of muggings in the church parking lot,
been sold. $150,000 was offered” (lxxiii).
ON THE MOVE
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