Aurora church rejoices after 125 years

What happens when 12 German men walk out of a church?

Why, they start a new one, of course.

At least, that’s what they did in 1886 in Aurora, founding St. John United Church of Christ, which celebrates its 125th anniversary at 10 a.m. Sunday with a worship service and reception.

“It’s going to be a joyful time,” said the Rev. Cyndi Gavin, the church’s pastor.

The church built for the original 12 Germans and their families still stands at 309 Fifth St. Its members stopped worshipping in German during World War I, and the church now plans to focus on serving its neighborhood through outreach, Gavin said.

While the church will be celebrating its history Sunday, the anniversary also signals a time of change.

The church operates solely on donations, which cannot sustain it for much longer, Gavin said. But there is a solution.

Churches can apply for status as nonprofit organizations to become eligible to apply for a broader base of grant funding.

“That’s the way we’re going,” Gavin said.

It doesn’t mean worship services will stop. But it does mean outreach programs the church runs — such as a music-themed summer camp called Peace Players and Mesa de Maria, a nutritional cooking class series designed for Hispanic women — can seek funds to continue.

“I hope they can keep going because we feel like this is our second home,” said Lidia Guerrero of Aurora, who attends the church with her husband and three children.

Guerrero said she has attended several Mesa de Maria sessions left feeling empowered.

“It’s not just a cooking class, it’s something that you feel more sure and you’re ready to fly outside and do it no matter what the challenges are,” Guerrero said.

St. John will be starting its newest ministry, Community Clothing Closet, on Oct. 1.

The church has gathered donated clothes, and those in need will be able to choose five items for each member of their family on the closet’s opening day.

More clothing donations can be accepted by calling the church at (630) 892-1932 and setting up a donation time. New socks and underwear are much needed, Gavin said.

While charity work now is an important aspect of the St. John congregation, the church did very little outreach work until Gavin became pastor in 2006, said Nancy Modery, 67, a lifelong congregant and the church’s treasurer.

“Now we’re going to become more of an outreach church and do what churches should be doing,” she said. “That’s what I’m excited about.”

In the meantime, Guerrero said her children, Fabian, 12, Yaer, 8, and Yaretzi, 5, are excited for the role they get to play in the 125th anniversary worship service.

“They are so happy because they’re going to help ring the bell,” Guerrero said.

The Guerrero children will be part of a crew ringing the bell 125 times, once for each year of the church’s existence.

The worship service will include music by Mad Monks of Melody, a band that specializes in concerts for church settings.

The reception afterward will let visitors browse displays of the church’s 125-year history, including Bibles in German, old organ pipes and blueprints of the church.

While funding is a bit uncertain, Gavin said she has faith her church will be able to continue serving the near east side Aurora community.

“What we need is a loaves and fishes type miracle here,” Gavin said.