Epworth United Methodist Church | 5253 N. Kenmore Ave Chicago, IL 60640 | 773-561-6422
History -- Sheridan Road United Methodist Church
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The Sheridan Road Methodist Episcopal Church was organized on November 25, 1907, with thirty-seven charter members. As in the case of Epworth Church, the Home Missionary and Church Extension Society of Chicago and the First Methodist Episcopal Church rendered great assistance and encouragement. The Society first met in Govan Hall, which was at the corner of Wilson and Broadway. Later services were held in the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway Station on Wilson Avenue near Broadway. The Church was incorporated as the Sheridan Park Methodist Episcopal Church, but changed in 1917 to the Sheridan Road Church.
The site at Sheridan Road and Montrose was purchased on January 3, 1910. The beautiful building at Sunnyside and Hazel was erected and dedicated in 1917 and 1918. The session of the Rock River Conference was held in the Sheridan Road Church in October 1918, as a joyous culmination of dedication. Bishop William Quayle was the presiding Bishop. The Sheridan Road enterprise was looked upon by the Conference as the "outstanding achievement of the year."
The auditorium of the new modern plant was one of the most commodious, churchly, and worshipful on the north side of the city. Its decorations and frescoes were unique in this country. It was copied after fourteenth century European church art with many periods of church history represented in characteristic symbolisms. In these flourishing days its program for youth was as distinctive as its beautiful sanctuary, and hundreds of men and women remember its Sunday School to call it blessed. Sheridan Road united with Epworth on Sunday, October 13, 1935.
Many fine people came to Epworth from this church. As the years went by some of these people were to hold prominent positions of leadership in the church. These people came into Epworth in a needed hour and the debt of gratitude will always be a part of the church fellowship. An undesignated amount of money also came with them in the assets of their church plant, which was sold although at a greatly reduced value in accordance with its true value. Many fine Sunday School teachers came with this group.
This "marriage" occurred through the suggestion of Bishop Waldorf, the resident Bishop, the Superintendent of the District, and the Home Missionary Society. There was an effort throughout the Conference at this time to merge churches and it was felt that the North Shore had too many Methodist Churches for the times and that both churches would profit by the marriage. Both congregations consented and thus the vitality of both fellowships were poured into one witness.
Taken from "The Epworth Methodist Church, The Seventy-fifth Anniversary1889 - 1964"