Faith Baptist moves into its new location west of Batavia
After approximately a decade of planning and discussion, Faith Baptist Church of Mill Creek is holding services at its new location, the corner of West Main Street and South Mill Creek Drive, west of Batavia.
The church had an open house and dedication ceremony Oct. 12. It was formerly known as First Baptist Church, and was located at 15 N. Washington St. in Batavia. The building has been purchased by the city of Batavia.
"We're very excited to be in this building, after all the years of planning," said the Rev. John Pattison, who has been pastor for four months.
The congregation built the $1.6 million church, approximately 9,800 square feet, on eight acres donated by Kent Shodeen of Shodeen Construction Co.
"One of our members worked for Kent Shodeen for years," Pattison said. "He (Shodeen) has been very gracious. He's a Lutheran, but he has helped us Baptists."
According to Pattison, moving was a painful decision for the congregation. The congregation first met in a frame church in what is now downtown Batavia in 1836. The congregation moved to the Washington Street Street Church in 1889, remaining there until 2008. Parishioners decided that it was more cost-effective to build, rather than renovate, due to the condition of the old building. The new church has fewer square feet than the old one, but it is all on one level and handicap accessible.
The former church, which was near Route 25 and Wilson Street, was purchased by the City of Batavia. The city had planned to eliminate the Route 25 jog at Wilson Street, but those plans have been shelved. The city is considering other options.
A special feature of the new church is the Cup of Faith Cafe where those who are not comfortable sitting in a traditional church setting can sit at the coffee bar and listen to the sermon over the speaker system.
Pattison came to Faith Baptist from a church in Moline, Ill. where he was associate pastor. He earned a bachelor's degree in business communication from Northern Illinois University, and graduated from Northern Baptist Seminar in Lombard in 2004. He and his Kari live in Elburn.
He says the facility is modern, but the church is also traditional.
"We have contemporary and traditional hymns," Pattison said. "We're definitely multigenerational. We have lots of space dedication to children. We have a nursery and a toddlers' room.
"I've been very pleasantly surprised at how willing to help the people here are," Pattison added. "We didn't have many people signed up to help at the carnival we had at our open house. But the day came and about 75 percent of the church showed up."
Pattison said that 173 attended the dedication service Oct. 12. A normal Sunday attendance is 90. Worship is at 10:30 a.m., with Sunday school and adult Bible study at 9:30 a.m.
Call the church at (630) 845-2532 for information.
Salon Day: The Outreach Ministry Team of the Congregational Church of Batavia, 21 S. Batavia Avenue, is hosting a "Salon Day" at Mutual Ground in Aurora on Saturday, November 8. Mutual Ground is a shelter for victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.
Residents and clients of Mutual Ground will be able to get their hair styled and their nails done throughout the day, and a light lunch will also be served to residents, clients and their families. The Men's Bible Study group at the Congregational Church is preparing the lunch.
Since August and continuing through December, the Outreach Team is focusing on ministries to people who have no home. In September the Congregational Church sponsored a shoe drive for Lazarus House kids, and on November 2, Tom Mouhelis, Director of the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans in Wheaton, will discuss the Shelter's Programs.
The Church has given checks for $1,000 to Mutual Ground, Lazarus House and the Veterans Shelter.
The Church invites everyone to its 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship services. For more information, contact the church at bataviaucc@sbcglobal.net or (630) 879-1999.