Huntley church marks 150th anniversary of sanctuary

If the walls of the First Congregational Church of Huntley could talk, they would tell stories of more than a century of baptisms, confirmations, weddings and memorials.

Members of the "little white church," at Church and Main streets downtown, will mark the 150th anniversary of the construction of the church's sanctuary Sunday.

Church leaders are inviting former and current members to share their memories, stories, and peruse memorabilia and historic pictures donated by longtime members during an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. in the church's social hall. There will be an antique car and truck show, and cake served. Residents also are invited to join in the celebration of this milestone.

A McHenry County Historical Society bus will be bringing visitors to the open house, said Jann Crabill, a church member for 39 years.

"This is one of the oldest churches in McHenry County," said Crabill, who has been gathering data for the anniversary, including video interviews of 15 longtime members. "It's just been fun hearing the stories and digging through the historical artifacts and information and learning more about the past of the church and how it came about."

About a dozen people founded the church on Sept. 11, 1852, just six years after the village began.

The sanctuary was built in September 1864. The original carpentry and masonry work cost $620, Crabill said.

The church was expanded in 1957 when the fellowship hall and Sunday school area were built, but the original sanctuary is where congregants still gather for worship.

In the early days, the sanctuary had wooden, foldable theater seats without cushions. In 1951, the interior of the church was remodeled and the seats were replaced with pews.

"Behind the altar was a framed picture of Jesus as a young boy," Crabill said. "Now we have a red dossal curtain behind the altar and a great big wooden cross hanging."

The church used to have two upright white pianos, one on each side of the altar. They were replaced by an electronic organ in 1942, followed by a pipe organ in 1967.

A few of the original pews and window panes have been preserved and restored by some members, Crabill said.

Today, the church has grown to roughly 300 members, from families with four generations growing up in the church to younger families who recently moved into town.

"We've had some people who have been members for 60, 80 years," Crabill said. "We've lost friends who used to tell stories about the church and the old Huntley."

The congregation has been celebrating the anniversary the entire month with former ministers visiting each Sunday to share memories from the pulpit. It's up in the air how many might attend Sunday's open house.

"We're hoping for a big crowd," Crabill said.