A History of Montrose Baptist Church
By Allan J. Firak
updated in 2007 for the 90th Anniversary Celebration
Celebrating 90 Years of God’s Faithfulness!
“His faithfulness continues through all generations.”
FORWARD TO THE 2007 90TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
Once again my heart swells with gratitude to Al Firak for the hard work and effort put into both the initial publishing of this history as well as this 90th anniversary updated edition. Having ministered with Montrose Baptist Church for over ten years and having served as pastor for nearly six years, I continue to be impressed by the passion, determination, fortitude, and resilience of this small but influential lighthouse for Jesus Christ in this neighborhood. Just as a lighthouse is strategically located to brightly shine its light and guide ships at sea into safe harbor, so the family at Montrose brilliantly shines the light and love of Christ to men, women, children and families in need of safe harbor and a place of rest and recovery from the battering storms of life.
Montrose Baptist Church has offered safe harbor throughout two world wars, the Great Depression, social upheaval, and a host of national and local distresses. Throughout 90 years of ministry, God has been faithful in equipping the Montrose family with the resources (both spiritual and physical) necessary to accomplish His purpose and His plan here in Northwest Chicago. As we look forward to the future, one thing we can be certain of is His continued faithfulness in carrying out the work He has started. As you read this history, may you keep in mind God’s promise in Philippians 1:6:
“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Pastor Jason Platt
October 14, 2007
FORWARD TO THE 2004 EDITION
Before concluding this historical overview, the author writes, “…it must be said, that this text is an overview of the history of Montrose Baptist Church, primarily highlighting pastoral leadership. It is not complete in that there is no mention of the many key laypersons who also provided leadership over the years…” Two such “key laypersons” are Al and Barb Firak. I have long felt that of all the many pastors, pastors’ spouses, and laypersons, few if any have left a deeper, more indelible mark than these two servants of the Savior. And this historical survey of God’s faithfulness is but one more piece of the vast legacy these two are leaving and will continue to leave.
I pray that Christ will be exalted and you will be strengthened as you recount the faithfulness of our great God, a faithfulness which continues through all generations (Psalm 119:90).
Pastor Jason Platt
September 12, 2004
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HISTORY OF MONTROSE BAPTIST CHURCH
1917 TO 2007
The leader of the work which developed into the Montrose Baptist Church was Rev. Joseph B. Rogers, of the La Salle Avenue Baptist Church. Under his guidance cottage prayer meetings were held resulting, shortly, in the organization of the Montrose Baptist Sunday School. The first meeting of the Sunday School was held on Easter Sunday, 1917, in the portable school building on the southwest corner of Montrose and Melvina Avenues. Mr. Fred Williams was the first superintendent. At that time, the Northwest side of Chicago still was largely open countryside which can now only be found many miles away from Metropolitan Chicago. At that time, for example, street drainage was done with open ditches rather than through underground sewers in many places.
Thanks to the kindness of Mr. Oliver Watson, alderman of the ward, the Sunday School soon moved into better quarters in a business building on the northwest corner of Montrose and Melvina Avenues. It was in this building that the Sunday School met until the completion of a frame church building on the northeast corner in 1921.
Until 1922 the fellowship was known as the Montrose Baptist Mission and was a branch of the LaSalle Avenue Baptist Church. Then, on Thursday, November 9, 1922 a meeting was called to organize a church independent of the LaSalle Avenue Baptist Church. This meeting was attended by Pastor Rogers, of the LaSalle Avenue Baptist Church, and by Dr. Benjamin Otto, Superintendent of the Chicago Baptist Executive Council. It was on this date that a temporary organization was formed and Mr. Chester W. Baer, a student at Moody Bible Institute, was called as first pastor of the church. Essentially, the result of the meeting was the founding of the present Montrose Baptist Church. However, the early years were not easy for the founders. There was no full-time pastor until 1927 and, as the church grew, the frame building in which the membership met became too small to meet the needs of the growing Sunday School.
Following the resignation of Mr. Baer in January of 1925, Mr. Myron Campbell, a student at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, served as pastor until June, 1926. Succeeding Mr. Campbell was Mr. A.P. White, also a student at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, who continued to serve until his graduation in February 1927.
Accepting a call in February 1927, Rev. Walter Anderson became the first full-time pastor of the church. On May 20, 1927, a service was held celebrating the acceptance of the church into the larger fellowship of the Chicago Baptist Association. By this time it was apparent that the frame building could no longer accommodate the increase in attendance in worship and Sunday School. Consequently, a building committee was appointed, consisting of L.R. Cooper, B. J. Ostergaard and Emiel Schott, to begin negotiations with the Chicago Baptist Association to develop financing for a new church building.
After the Chicago Baptist Association agreed to finance the project, and after several revisions of the plans, groundbreaking began on October 28, 1928. Those participating in the laying of the cornerstone were Dr. Otto, Rev. L. H. Broeker of the Albany Park Baptist Church, Rev. J. C. Dent of Judson Baptist Church, and Rev. Chester Baer, first pastor of Montrose Baptist Church.
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The building was dedicated on June 2, 1929, with Dr. George W. Taft, President of Northern Seminary, Dr. Otto and Rev. E.E. Carr taking part in the service. The original frame building, housing the church’s ministries, was moved about one block south on Melvina Avenue where it is a small residence, still in use, on the east side of the street.
Four months after the dedication of the new building the stock market crashed and the Great Depression started and would last for almost ten years. The support of the Chicago Baptist Association helped to maintain a full-time ministry and outreach at Montrose Baptist Church during those difficult years; even though it was through a series of short term pastorates. A significant mission during this time was the establishment of a good Sunday School; plus lay leadership and the training of fine young ministers for work in other fields of service. Many of the boys who grew up in the Sunday School also served our country in the armed forces during World War II.
The twenty fifth anniversary in 1947 saw the church beginning to grow and develop under the very able leadership of Rev. Frank Arnold who came to the church in 1946 after service as an Army Air Force chaplain. Under his leadership the active membership doubled, the offerings tripled and weekly attendance reached a new peak. Also, under his leadership, and the help of the Chicago Baptist Association, a parsonage was purchased by the church at 6258 W. Eastwood Avenue. Rev. Arnold’s ministry was cut short when he was called back into the service as an Air Force chaplain in 1951, due to the Korean conflict.
The church then called Rev. Elmer Brayton to serve as pastor. Under his ministry the church continued to be blessed. An extensive building- improvement program was launched which included the tiling of the floors, the purchase of new pews and pulpit furniture, and painting the entire interior of the building. Three years later, Rev. Brayton left for another field of service and Rev. Noel Liddle was called to be pastor. Under Rev. Liddle’s ministry a youth program and an active Sunday School program prospered. He was succeeded by Rev. Owen Stewart who accepted the call to Montrose Baptist Church in July 1959. Under the leadership of Rev. Stewart, the church made great strides in developing lay leadership, community outreach, and the organization of various programs. In 1966, Rev. Stewart accepted a call to another church and Montrose Baptist was served by a student pastor, David Kreider, in the intervening period until January 1968. At that time, Rev. Andrew Kmetko answered the call to become pastor of Montrose Baptist Church.
During the period of Rev. Liddle’s and Rev. Stewart’s pastorates, Montrose Baptist Church and New Covenant Baptist Church combined their resources to conduct two week long Vacation Bible Schools. New Covenant Baptist Church was another American Baptist Church, located only about one mile east of Montrose Baptist Church.
Furthermore, Rev. Kmetko was the pastor of the New Covenant Church during this time. Under his pastorate there, it was an active and successful church with a solid core membership. Rev. Stewart and Rev. Kmetko developed a comradeship during this period of time as part of a larger yoke fellowship of Baptist pastors on the Northwest side of Chicago which met on a regular basis. They were, in effect, a support group engaged in an agenda of prayer, sharing dialogs, and volleyball as a recreation at the Irving Park YMCA. An outgrowth of this fellowship was the creation of youth retreats, a young men’s softball league, a young men’s basketball program, as
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well as a continuation of the Sunday evening “singspirations” that were being conducted in a rotation of host churches on the Northwest side of Chicago. It was in this context that Rev. Stewart eventually approached Rev. Kmetko about the possibility of a merger of Montrose Baptist Church with New Covenant Baptist Church. The reason for his proposal was that the close proximity of these two American Baptist churches lent itself to a serious consideration of combining the resources of both churches in order to strengthen similar ministries that were being carried out and overlapping in the same general area. Rev. Stewart was already planning to answer a call from another church. And, he encouraged the possibility of merger to the membership of Montrose Baptist Church for a period of time before his departure. He further recommended to them that Rev. Kmetko be the pastor of the newly merged church. Subsequently, the deacon boards of both churches began to meet together, as a merger committee, to further explore the possibility of a merger. Over a period of the next two years, the two churches began to share in joint activities, such as Vacation Bible School, Church Picnic, Mother and Daughter Banquet, and the Christmas Progressive Dinner in order to get to know each other better.
Rev. Kmetko sought the advice and counsel of Rev. Al Diman, Executive Minister of the Chicago Baptist Association (CBA) about the advisability of a merger between Montrose Baptist Church and New Covenant Baptist Church. Rev. Diman said the decision must be made by the two churches. However, he asked Rev. T.V.L.Harvey, Director of Church Extension of CBA, to study the matter and to share his observations with the combined deacon boards.Rev. Harvey concluded that the merger idea had merit, depending on whether or not there is a shared vision for the future and where the merged church will finally be located. New Covenant Baptist Church had a fine facility, built in 1930. Its worship center was well appointed and could hold more worshipers than the one at Montrose Baptist Church. It had a full basement in which the Children’s Sunday School met (adults met upstairs), fellowship dinners and youth gatherings were held, and Vacation Bible School was conducted. However, it was located on one residential lot with low visibility, one block away from two main thoroughfares. Montrose Baptist Church did not have a basement but it utilized its second floor in the same way as New Covenant Church utilized its basement. However, it was located directly on a busy main thoroughfare, with high visibility, and had space for expansion because it was the owner of five contiguous residential lots at the corner of Montrose and Melvina Avenues. The 1928 building was built on the northwest corner of these combined properties, with an ample parking lot on the east side of the property, alongside a large, empty west lawn.
The merger committee developed a vision for an expanded ministry, with a physical plant large enough to handle a variety of programs in an outreach to the community. Rev. Harvey picked up on this and brought Rev. L. Gordon Bucy of the American Baptist Extension Corporation (ABEC), from Valley Forge, PA, to provide additional counsel for the committee. Rev. Bucy was an architect and an ordained American Baptist minister. After visiting both sites and considering all aspects of the merger decision, including the emotional side in which one of the congregations will be giving up their building and moving to the other church, Rev. Bucy recommended that the merged church be located at the Montrose Baptist site and embark on a building program with a community outreach emphasis. In his recommendation, the financing for the building program would be largely from the proceeds of the sale of the vacated building. Rev. Bucy presented his proposal to a combined meeting of the two churches in late summer 1967. About two months later, the decision to merge and engage in a building program was put
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to a vote on the same Sunday in both churches. The vote in Montrose Baptist was unanimous in favor of merging and embarking on a building program. The vote for approval failed at New Covenant Baptist. A 2/3 majority was needed and failed by about 2 votes. Understandably, not everyone wanted to leave a building that housed a lot of personal and warm memories. However, within the group that voted in favor of merger and building program a very real and undeniable vision for a future outreach had been developed. Rev. Kmetko had this vision too and was persuaded by the affirming group to lead them over to joining Montrose Baptist Church and to proceed with the building program and to have faith that the financing of the building program will somehow be provided for.
After serving as the fine pastor of New Covenant Baptist Church for over seven years, Rev. Kmetko tendered his resignation in late 1967. He and 30 other members moved their membership to Montrose Baptist Church in January 1968. Shortly thereafter, in a business meeting, the enlarged membership of Montrose Baptist Church unanimously voted to embark on a building program to construct additional facilities which could enable a greater and more comprehensive outreach for Jesus Christ to persons in the immediate community and surrounding area. A Building Council was appointed with Allan Firak as chairman. The initial planning stage was conducted under the guidance of Rev. Harvey, with additional counsel coming from Rev. Bucy. Rev. Harvey guided the Building Council in the selection of Robert C. Taylor and Associates as the architect on November 27, 1968. The choice proved to be an excellent one because of that firm’s long experience in church design and Mr. Taylor’s skill in putting vision into a functional and attractive design; at the same time holding down costs to the extent possible.
Another action taken in 1968 was the purchase of a house at 4578 N. Merrimac Avenue
to serve as parsonage in replacement of the house at 6258 W. Eastwood Avenue. The Merrimac house was larger than the Eastwood house and proceeds from the sale of the Eastwood property came close to covering the purchase price of the Merrimac house.
Two Capital Fund Campaigns were conducted, each with a three year life span. The first campaign occurred from 1969 to 1972. The second campaign ran from 1974 to 1977. Both were conducted under the faith-filled direction of Rev. D. Ralph Nichols of ABEC. A combined total of $ 90,000 was pledged in giving over and above regular giving.
The Building Council, consisting of 22 members, became active and energized under the direction of Rev. Ralph Belknap from the Comprehensive Building Services (CBS) office of ABEC. He succeeded Rev. Bucy in that office. His services were contracted on January 22, 1973, after the Building Fund had reached an appreciable total in giving by that time. Under his guidance committees were formed within the Building Council to determine the kind of programs that will be undertaken and the type of facility we needed for them, and could afford to build. The Survey Committee, chaired by Robert Cella, using recent census data and making conservative demographic projections, found the entire surrounding community to be solid and stable with a good future for continuing stability. The Program Committee, chaired by William Walter, summarized all present activities and recommended future programs and ministries. The Finance Committee, chaired by Robert Storozuk, organized the Capital Fund Campaigns and from their results established a construction budget. It was also through their preparations in an extremely tight money market that negotiations for a loan were attempted. Finally, through the
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intervention of Rev. Belknap, a loan of $ 90,000 was acquired from ABEC. Without the loan the building program could not have been attempted at that time. The Publicity Committee, chaired by Beverly Orians, kept the congregation informed on progress in the program and made necessary publicity releases. The Construction Committee, chaired by Building Council Chairman Allan Firak, reviewed and approved the final plans, selected the general contractor, and subsequently reviewed all billings and invoices.
The final plans called for a Multi-Purpose Building to be built next to the existing building. The existing building would remain as the Sanctuary Building with classroom space on the second floor. The Multi-Purpose Building would accommodate a very active AWANA program, the Sunday School Primary Department, the Nursery, a fully equipped kitchen for fellowship dinners, a large fellowship space which would accommodate the dinners, serve as an activities room, plus handle worship services and community events. The building would also include the Pastor’s Study and rest rooms that are handicapped -accessible. The building was also designed to accommodate a day care center. The whole building would be handicapped-accessible and its design had a community outreach emphasis in it. The design facilitated many needed improvements in the church’s overall physical plant. The theme of the building program was “Building Today’s Church for Today’s World”. However, it was designed with an eye toward the future.
A contract for a construction cost of $ 132,570 was executed with the R.W. Construction Company, as general contractor, on November 20, 1974. A ground-breaking ceremony and service of dedication occurred on Sunday afternoon, November 24, 1974. Additional costs were financed by the church as add-ons to the original budget for facilities and improvements that were put in either by the general contractor or by volunteers from the church. These added costs included purchase of furniture and equipment. The extra costs
totaled $ 10,500, mostly covered by special gifts. The volunteer work included painting, paneling, carpentry, landscaping, electrical, and cleanup details , totaling hundreds of hours of effort over a span of three months.
Construction of the Multi-Purpose Building was well-coordinated between the architect and the general contractor in an expeditious and cooperative manner. The foundations were poured on April 2, 1975 and the building was occupied in September of the same year. The building was dedicated in a special service on a sunny Sunday afternoon on November 23, 1975. Host pastor Rev. Kmetko welcomed members and friends, pastors from the CBA and Rev. William ( Bill ) Nelson, Executive Minister of the CBA who was the principal speaker. The ceremony also included the mortaring of the cornerstone, dated 1975. The contents placed behind the cornerstone included the following : 1.) Picture Album of Members and Friends, 2.) Program of Ground-breaking Service, 3.) Program of Dedication Service, 4.) Building Council Survey Report, 5.) Building Council Program Committee Report, 6.) Building Council Finance Committee Brochure for the Capital Fund Campaigns, 7.) Church Membership Directory, 8.) Cassette recording of Dedication Service. The mortgage for the building was fully paid up by autumn of 1985 and the mortgage burning service was held on Sunday afternoon November 10, 1985. Rev. James Jones, pastor of Montrose Baptist at that time, officiated in that service. Montrose Baptist Church had no further financial encumbrances from the building program.
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Rev. Kmetko provided pastoral leadership throughout the length of the building program, 1968 through 1975. He served as pastor for two more years, until mid 1977. At that time, he had to retire for medical reasons. He was pastor of Montrose Baptist Church for nearly ten years, the longest tenure, todate, of any pastor of the church. During his pastorate at Montrose Baptist many significant ministries were undertaken and many special activities and affairs were conducted to build a spirit of community. Among these ministries were two youth clubs: a program for teens followed by a very successful AWANA program ( Pals and Chums ), a variety of Bible studies including cottage meetings, weekend church retreats, a church renewal weekend with members of a North Carolina church visiting us, every member canvasses, neighborhood visitation, monthly potluck dinners, a ministry at the Read Mental Health Center, Christmas and Easter choir cantatas, Christmas programs including Christmas plays performed by the Sunday School Teen Class, all-day bus outings to Starved Rock State Park, summer and autumn picnics, Sunday School membership drives each spring with a highest total of 100 reached one year, progressive dinners during the holiday season, special events sponsored by the AWANA Clubs, e.g. pancake breakfasts, spaghetti dinners, hamburger nights, ice cream socials, car washes, weekend retreats at Camp AWANA in Wisconsin .
Throughout Rev. Kmetko’s pastorate his preaching and Bible studies were based on a consistent dedication to scripture and careful preparation. He was people- oriented and loved by his congregation.
After Rev. Kmetko’s retirement, a pastoral search committee was formed under the guidance of Rev. Bill Nelson, Executive Minister of the CBA. The committee was provided with a number of profiles of ministers who were currently available to take on a new ministry or who were considering a change in their pastoral location. After due consideration of the profiles, the committee asked if Rev. Robert Colpitts might consider coming to Montrose Baptist Church as pastor of the church. Rev. Colpitts had recently retired from Albany Park Baptist Church after being pastor there for 27 years. The committee was very familiar with Rev. Colpitts through combined singspirations and other gatherings of CBA churches. In the committee’s view, Rev. Colpitts was a retiree with a young attitude and a good level of energy. He was a very personable and astute pastor. As it turned out, after a series of Sundays serving as pulpit supply at Montrose Baptist, Rev. Colpitts was interested and available. The church was very pleased, and after a congregational vote, received Rev. Colpitts as pastor in November 1977.
Rev. Bob Colpitts, as he was known, continued the community outreach of Montrose Baptist Church. He supported the AWANA youth program and fellowship gatherings. He also brought in the Golden Diners nutrition program from the City of Chicago on October 1, 1979. This program provides well-balanced meals and an opportunity for socialization for neighborhood senior citizens, at a nominal cost, Monday through Friday every week of the year. Rev. Bob truly was a beloved pastor to the Golden Diner seniors. He connected with them in an understanding and congenial manner. Many of the seniors were members of local Catholic parishes who had a tendency to call him Father Bob in a loving way. Rev. Colpitts also brought Montrose Baptist into an inter-denominational group of local churches from the surrounding area to minister to shut-ins and elderly persons living by themselves. The group was known as the “Northwest Cluster of Caring Churches”. Each member church developed its own assignments of needy seniors and shut-ins. These were persons who would be basically isolated and could use a weekly phone call, as a minimum, to check on their well-being and to find out if there was a need for
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grocery shopping or to pick up prescriptions at the drug store, or some other need that the caller could fill. The Montrose Baptist group was known as “The Shepherd’s Society” which met monthly to report on contacts made on assignments. A representative from the “Shepherd’s Society” would then meet with representatives with the other “Cluster” churches for monthly meetings devoted to dialog and training. He had a zeal for letter writing and making himself available for counseling and visitation. He also brought in two seminarians, Jack Scandrette, and then Jim Jones, in succession, to help as assistant pastors. Jim followed Jack in this capacity after Jack’s departure to pastor another church. They and their families were housed in the parsonage while serving as assistant pastors. The parsonage was available due to the fact that Rev. Colpitts had his own home at the time. Rev. Bob also initiated and promoted the window replacement program whereby all of the first floor windows in the Sanctuary Building were replaced by beautiful art glass windows. These windows are especially appreciated in the worship center. The cost for all the windows was covered by monetary gifts, many of which were in memory of departed loved ones. Another aspect of Rev. Bob’s pastoral guidance was his emphasis on fiduciary responsibility and watchfulness. We were kept on course to pay off the mortgage on the Multi-Purpose Building.
Rev. Colpitts had served as pastor of Montrose Baptist Church for over five years when he was stricken by illness and needed to retire again in early spring 1983. The church had an appreciation service and party for him on a chilly Sunday afternoon in April and the sanctuary was filled with an overflow crowd. Many seniors from the Golden Diners Club also came to honor and to show their love for Rev./Father Bob. The coat rack in the narthex collapsed from the weight of all the coats hung on it. Everyone had a good laugh about it. It was a joyous occasion. Later in the year, in November, Rev. Bob went to be home with the Lord.
James Jones was Rev. Colpitts choice to succeed him as pastor of Montrose Baptist Church. He had already been filling-in for Rev. Colpitts and living in the parsonage. The church knew him and his family well and was pleased with him. He was attending Northern Baptist Theological Seminary and working in the front office at the Seminary. The church took Rev. Colpitts advice and turned over the pastorate to Jim Jones, first as student pastor than as an ordained pastor after Jim’s graduation from the seminary. Rev. Jim continued to work at the seminary as an instructor. It was in that capacity that he brought over several of his students to help in the ministries in Montrose Baptist Church, in youth work and in a young adult ministry. In this period of time, Montrose discontinued using the AWANA youth program, after 12 years, and moved over to using the PIONEER CLUBS youth program for its children’s ministry to the neighborhood. Additional help was obtained from college students from Moody Bible Institute for the youth program and in Sunday School. The combination of the seminarians and Moody students, with a young pastor, resulted in a more contemporary style of worship in the morning Worship Hour. Further, the young adult ministry, which was called “The Gathering “ met on Sunday evenings with good attendance. Attendance picked up in Sunday School and in the morning Worship Hour with younger generation attendees coming in from the surrounding neighborhood. Other fellowships continued, such as potluck dinners, picnics and outings. The PIONEER CLUBS were experiencing good turnouts, similar to the success experienced with the AWANA program. Then, unexpectedly, Jim Jones regretfully resigned on October 31, 1991 after being with Montrose Baptist Church as student pastor and pastor for almost nine years
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Through the first six months of 1992, all of the church programs were carried out in much the same manner as previously, but with no pastor in place. Pulpit supply was being handled by laymen within the membership, with preaching experience, plus the seminarians and Moody students. A change came in June of that year when many of the seminarians and Moody students graduated. Preaching continued to be handled by the laymen and the few seminarians who remained. The worship style reverted to more traditional and the ”Gathering” discontinued to meet. Attrition in attendance began, with many of the newer, younger members moving on to other churches in the area.
The deacon board and the longer- term members remained resolute in their faith that turnaround was ahead for Montrose Baptist Church. The deacon board was in communication with Rev. Bill Cober, Executive Minister of the CBA, in the search for a new pastor. Due to the rapid pace of developments it was apparent that the standard pastoral search program had to be abbreviated . With the approval of Rev. Cober, Rev. Robert Kribbs approached Montrose Baptist Church about being a candidate for the pastorate of the church. He had visited Montrose Baptist on several occasions prior to offering himself for the position. He had been ordained as a Southern Presbyterian minister originally and after years of service as a Presbyterian minister and even working as a chaplain in an Episcopalian institution he wound up in Chicago and attended First Baptist Church of Oak Park and became active in the CBA. He was filling-in as pulpit supply at Belmont Park Baptist Church. It was through his association with the CBA that he came to know of Montrose Baptist Church and its search for a pastor. He wanted to go back into a pastoral ministry although he had a serious heart condition. The church quickly warmed up to his style of preaching and his gentle and caring manner. Rev. Bob Kribbs began preaching in September 1992 and was finally called to be interim pastor of Montrose Baptist by a congregational vote on the first Sunday of November. He presided over the church’s 75th anniversary service and dinner on November 15, 1992. He also took action by obtaining a loan from ABEC for new roofing that was needed on the Multi-purpose Building, and monitored the work while it was in progress in November. He also brought in John Sundquist Jr. as an assistant pastor. John was a seminarian at North Park Theological Seminary. Later in November he conducted the Thanksgiving Eve service in a very personal way whereby those in attendance connected with him in a time of thanksgiving and praise. All in all, it was a busy time for him. He displayed a caring pastor’s heart. Then, on the Friday after Thanksgiving his heart stopped and he went to be with the Lord while he was at his desk at home finalizing his sermon for Sunday. The entire congregation grieved his sudden loss.
Rev. Bill Cober and John Sundquist stepped in to provide pulpit supply in December 1992. The year of 1993 began with lay leaders and John Sundquist filling the pulpit. Then, Rev. Cober brought in Rev. Bill Mugford to provide pulpit supply February through June. Rev. Mugford had relocated to Chicago from Toronto where he had successfully planted a large church in downtown Toronto. He was continuing his studies at the University of Chicago.
Rev. Bill Cober retired in December 1992 and was succeeded by Rev. Duane Gibson as Executive Minister. It was during Rev. Cober’s tenure that the Chicago Baptist Association ( CBA ) was renamed American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago ( ABC-MC ) on October 19, 1991 . Rev. Gibson soon made himself available to Montrose Baptist Church to help in its search for a pastor. Rev. Gibson informed Montrose Baptist about Rev. Donald Andrews who was
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Pastor of First Baptist Church of Lake Geneva . Rev. Andrews and his wife were originally from Chicago and he indicated by letter an interest in relocating to a pastorate in the Chicago area
On June 24, 1993, Rev. Andrews met with two deacons at the church to tour the facilities and the parsonage. He preached at Montrose Baptist on July 11, 1993 and met with the deacon board on September 9, 1993. Three other candidates preached in the month of July too. By this time, in 1993, attendance had dropped to a core of long-time members and a drop in giving resulted from the drop in attendance. Also, by this time, Rev. Gibson resigned to return to his previous pastorate in downtown Des Moines Iowa and Millie Myren stepped in to administer the office of Executive Minister on an interim basis. Millie had full knowledge of the long and fruitful ministry at Montrose Baptist, its recent misfortunes, its facilities, and the real potential for rebuilding. She arranged a restart monthly subsidy for five years from the American Baptist Convention to cover some of the costs for the pastoral ministry. Subsequently, Rev. Andrews preached his candidating message on October 24, 1993. A congregational vote was taken on November 7, with a unanimous approval for calling Rev. Andrews to become pastor of the church. He accepted. For the months of August through December John Sunquist and Rev. Andrew Kmetko provided pulpit supply.
Rev. Andrews began as full-time pastor of Montrose Baptist in January 1994. The order of the worship service was again more traditional. Prayer was emphasized and more traditional hymns were sung, led by Rev. Andrew’s strong voice. The weekly Bible study and prayer meeting was restarted and a new youth group was formed in 1996, called the Youth Bible Club, after four years with no youth program. Attendance in church improved with a number of new members joining, many of whom later assumed responsibilities in the administration of church duties. Fellowship dinners were continued and the church was in a period of growth and stability . After serving Montrose Baptist for five and one half years Rev. Don Andrews retired at the end of May 1999. He had announced his plans for retirement a couple of months previously and a pastoral search committee had been formed. Rev. Millie Myren was the Executive Minister of ABC-MC by this time and provided the committee with a number of pastoral profiles of ministers who were not a pastor of a church at the time or who were available to make a move from their current pastorate. From June through August 1999 pulpit supply was provided by Rev. Andrew Kmetko, Rev. Richard Clossman and Rev. Peter Borzeka, all retired American Baptist pastors. From September 1999 through December 2000 pulpit supply was provided by student pastors Jason Platt and Michael Merry, who were students in pastoral studies at Moody Bible Institute and also part of the leadership of the Youth Bible Club. Rev. Kmetko also filled in at the pulpit on occasion during this time.
Since 1996, the Youth Bible Club had students from Moody Bible Institute help in providing leadership on club nights. It was part of their PCM ( Practical Christian Ministry ) requirement for graduation. Jason Platt, from Watervliet, Michigan, was in the first group in 1996. The PCM requirement is normally for one year at a particular assignment. Jason sought reassignment to Montrose Baptist for two additional years. He had a feeling for the ministries and potential at the church. In 1999, Jason and his fiancée, Tanya, also a Moody student and also a part of the Youth Bible Club leadership, told the church that after they got married they were going to take a one year break, and stay in the Chicago area, before Jason entered the seminary and they would be pleased to aid the
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ministries at the church and to help the new minister in any way they could during this period of time. The response from the deacon board and pastoral relations committee was that we would be pleased if they did that. Further, the deacon board offered them the use of the parsonage since it was now available for occupancy. Since the pastoral search was in an early stage it would be a while before a decision was made by the church to call a new pastor.
Jason and Tanya were married on December 29, 1999 and moved into the parsonage in January 2000. After Michael Merry departed for seminary in California in August 2000, Jason became the full-time preacher. At this time he also had a secular job to build up a fund for seminary expenses. Rev. Kmetko provided pulpit supply once a month to give Jason some relief. By this time, Rev. Millie Myren had retired and was succeeded as Executive Minister by Rev. William Nelson in 2000. ( Not to be confused with Rev. Bill Nelson who previously was Executive Minister.) Rev. William Nelson visited Montrose Baptist Church one Sunday in February 2001. He liked what he heard from and saw in Jason Platt as he conducted the worship hour and preached the message. In Rev. Nelson’s opinion Montrose Baptist already had its prime pastoral candidate in Jason Platt. Following his recommendation, the pastoral relations committee, with deacon board approval, on March 5, 2001 offered Jason the pastor’s position and compensation package if he intended to remain in the area and attend a local seminary. He had not made up his mind yet on whether or not he would move to another state to attend seminary. After much prayer, and the counsel of others in the ministry, Jason and Tanya decided to remain in Chicago and accept the offer from Montrose Baptist Church. They expressed the love they had developed for the people and ministries of the church. On March 25, 2001 he was licensed to preach by the church.
Jason resigned the secular job in June 2002 to devote more time to pastoral duties and, in September, he began studies in Trinity Seminary in Deerfield, Illinois. In January 2002, the church took official action to designate Jason Platt the pastor of Montrose Baptist Church, although he had already been functioning in that role. Rev. William Nelson retired as Executive Minister of ABC-MC in 2002 and was succeeded by Rev. Dr. Leonard Thompson. It was Rev. Thompson who officiated the formal installation service for Pastor Jason Platt on March 9, 2003. Dr. John Koessler, chair of pastoral studies at Moody Bible Institute, gave the installation sermon. Under Pastor Platt’s leadership the church is again experiencing growth in membership and has developed a worship hour taking full advantage of newer technology in audio and visual presentations, using a DLP projector and screen purchased through a gift given by a former member. He is also moving in the direction of a wider community outreach taking full advantage of a large, lighted outdoor sign and a Montrose Baptist website. He is committed to the Golden Diner’s program and a successful youth outreach, including Boy Scouts. The Youth Bible Club and the Jr. Hi/Sr. Hi Club had their successes. Subsequently, we returned to the PIONEER CLUB youth program for two years and, then, a 180 Club for the Jr. Hi/Sr. Hi youth and a JAM program for the younger children as an outreach to neighborhood children. Subsequently, the youth outreach has refocused on a program for children in grades 1-6. The Scouts program provides another youth ministry.
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The youth programs had been modified in content and emphasis over several years in an endeavor to find the most effective outreach. Since 1996, the youth programs have been bolstered with additional leadership provided by students from Moody Bible Institute through its PCM (Practical Christian Ministry) program. Pastor Jason is also committed to significant, small group Bible studies and memorization, with an emphasis on an active prayer life. He has also guided new members in developing a sense of community one with the other and with the church family. This was done in 2004 through a “New Connections” class, that he conducted, out of which nine persons joined the church membership. Significant lay ministries were started for members to utilize their spiritual gifts. The following functioning ministry teams were formed for those purposes : Care, Outreach, Education, International Ministries, Friendship, Worship, Youth Groups, Community Concern. Volunteer Sunday had become a fixture in the church calendar. The culmination of which is a cookout at the parsonage, graciously hosted by Pastor Jason and Tanya Platt. They also host an annual Family Christmas Party and caroling outing at their home. Other annual events that fill out the church calendar are Palm Sunday, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Breakfast (Colpitts Center), Easter Worship Hour, the Church Picnic (Methodist Campground), Thanksgiving Eve Service, Christmas Banquet (Colpitts Center), Christmas Program, plus other celebrations, e.g. Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Missionary Sundays.
Pastor Jason’s preaching is expository and theme based, done in sermon series, carefully constructed and Bible-centered. A typical theme was one titled “Driven by Purpose; Driven by Christ.” Later on, as an evangelistic outreach, and a means for rededicated discipleship, Montrose Baptist Church embarked on the five week, six Sundays 40 Days of Purpose program developed by Rick Warren. Participants were engaged in daily readings and Bible memorization and in small group / Sunday School class discussions. The outreach resulted in increased attendance in Sunday School and in the worship hour. Two additional Adult Sunday School classes were formed as a result of the campaign as well as an increase in church membership. Another outreach is the utilization of the church for secular needs, such as serving as an election day polling place. The pastor prepares a hospitality table for voters and the election judges, serving coffee and pastries, plus providing Christian literature, including church bulletins. Additionally, through the Golden Diners program, free flu shots are administered by Chicago Health Department nurses to senior citizens from the surrounding neighborhoods.
In addition to the Polish language ministries conducted in Montrose Baptist Church, a succession of three Korean congregations have worshiped there. Further, Roma / Gypsy congregations have used the facility for worship. The church is open to full utilization of the facilities it has been blessed with, especially in furthering the cause of Christ.
Because of a generous bequest received in 2000, from the Leif Nelson estate, Montrose Baptist Church has been able to complete many building improvements such as air conditioning in the Multi-Purpose Building and in the second floor of the Sanctuary Building, providing more comfort in worship and in conducting various outreach programs.
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Other improvements include new roofing on the multi-purpose building, tuck pointing of the 1928 building, re-paving the parking lot, energy-efficient windows in the Colpitts Center and the second floor of the 1928 building. In addition, other significant improvements were achieved through volunteer work details, under the direction of Deacon of Maintenance Joe Niemiec. Mostly single-handedly, Joe also accomplished a number of other improvements around the physical plant of the church and significant improvements in the parsonage.
Pastor Jason Platt has led the way in the initiation of other types of outreach, such as the annual Super Bowl Party and the Major League Baseball All-Star Game party. Using the DLP projector, we are able to project both televised events on a large screen in the Colpitts Center. The parties are open to the neighborhood and the turnouts are typically very good. During halftime of the Super Bowl game a Christian video is shown in place of the televised halftime show. As a result of showing the videos we’ve experienced responses of 10 to 15 persons making a decision for Christ. The scouting program is strongly supported by Pastor Platt. As a result of their relationship with the church, the scouts have engaged in work details within the church facilities also. On their annual Scout Sunday, the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venture group, and parents, join us in worship in large numbers. The pastor has also sought ways in which to combine special events with the Polish Evangelical Fellowship, which meets regularly in our church, including a block party in the parking lot and a vacation Bible school conducted in English.
With all of the blessings Montrose Baptist Church has received under the leadership of Pastor Jason Platt, with his devoted and resourceful wife, Tanya, the church finds itself looking toward the future with faith and optimism.
In conclusion, it must be said, that this text is an overview of the history of Montrose Baptist Church, primarily highlighting pastoral leadership. It is not complete in that there is no mention of many key laypersons who also provided leadership over the years and the multitude of other laypersons who contributed in so many ways, in choirs, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, youth clubs, Bible studies, fellowship dinners, visitations, looking after the needs of the elderly, church finances, in worship arrangements, and in many, many other ways. The list of names would be very lengthy and runs the risk of many omissions. In a real sense, the laypersons have been functioning as a priesthood of believers in serving the church and facilitating its mission. Some exceptions to not listing those names, in this text, were in identifying the 1968-1975 Building Council and the 1927 Building Committee. The precedence for this was the fact that the 1927 Building Committee was named previously in an older historical record.
Another omission, with one exception, was not naming the pastor’s spouses who over the years provided vital support and service in the pastoral ministries. As in the case of many key lay leaders, that list would be incomplete because many of these names are not available in the records left behind over the years. But, most important, the Lord knows who they are.
Montrose Baptist Church has a rich history, indeed, and after 90 years it is still shining brightly as a lighthouse in the community in which it was placed so many years ago. It was planted as the Montrose Baptist Mission. With the vision, optimism and commitment of a few people, it formally became Montrose Baptist Church five years later in 1922. Some day we will rejoice with them on what has happened since then. From the beginning, and through all of the ensuing years, the church has been faithful in its mission to reach others for Jesus Christ and in providing a close community of caring believers for those who join the fold; all under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Compiled by Allan J. Firak
September 2007
MONTROSE BAPTIST CHURCH MINISTERS
Chester W. Baer 1922-1925
Myron C. Campbell 1925-1926
Aubrey P. White 1926-1927
Walter Anderson 1927-1932
Ralph Erickson 1932-1935
Charles R. MacDonald 1935-1938
Irving B. Peterson 1938-1940
Nicolai A. Wiens 1940-1943
Ralph B. Gale 1943-1945
Haakon Knudsen ( Interim ) 1945-1946
Frank M. Arnold Jr. 1946-1951
Elmer Brayton 1951-1954
Noel Liddle 1954-1959
Owen W. Stewart 1959-1966
David Kreider ( Student ) 1966-1968
Andrew Kmetko 1968-1977
Robert Colpitts 1977-1983
James Jones 1983-1991
Robert Kribbs 1992
Donald Andrews 1994-1999
Jason Platt and Michael Merry ( Students ) 2000
Jason Platt 2001- Present
Montrose Baptist ChurchA Lighthouse in Our Community
Shining the Light & Love of Jesus for 90 Years
1917 – 2007
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
- Matthew 5:14-16
“His faithfulness continues through all generations.”
FORWARD TO THE 2007 90TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
Once again my heart swells with gratitude to Al Firak for the hard work and effort put into both the initial publishing of this history as well as this 90th anniversary updated edition. Having ministered with Montrose Baptist Church for over ten years and having served as pastor for nearly six years, I continue to be impressed by the passion, determination, fortitude, and resilience of this small but influential lighthouse for Jesus Christ in this neighborhood. Just as a lighthouse is strategically located to brightly shine its light and guide ships at sea into safe harbor, so the family at Montrose brilliantly shines the light and love of Christ to men, women, children and families in need of safe harbor and a place of rest and recovery from the battering storms of life.
Montrose Baptist Church has offered safe harbor throughout two world wars, the Great Depression, social upheaval, and a host of national and local distresses. Throughout 90 years of ministry, God has been faithful in equipping the Montrose family with the resources (both spiritual and physical) necessary to accomplish His purpose and His plan here in Northwest Chicago. As we look forward to the future, one thing we can be certain of is His continued faithfulness in carrying out the work He has started. As you read this history, may you keep in mind God’s promise in Philippians 1:6:
“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Pastor Jason Platt
October 14, 2007
FORWARD TO THE 2004 EDITION
Before concluding this historical overview, the author writes, “…it must be said, that this text is an overview of the history of Montrose Baptist Church, primarily highlighting pastoral leadership. It is not complete in that there is no mention of the many key laypersons who also provided leadership over the years…” Two such “key laypersons” are Al and Barb Firak. I have long felt that of all the many pastors, pastors’ spouses, and laypersons, few if any have left a deeper, more indelible mark than these two servants of the Savior. And this historical survey of God’s faithfulness is but one more piece of the vast legacy these two are leaving and will continue to leave.
I pray that Christ will be exalted and you will be strengthened as you recount the faithfulness of our great God, a faithfulness which continues through all generations (Psalm 119:90).
Pastor Jason Platt
September 12, 2004
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HISTORY OF MONTROSE BAPTIST CHURCH
1917 TO 2007
The leader of the work which developed into the Montrose Baptist Church was Rev. Joseph B. Rogers, of the La Salle Avenue Baptist Church. Under his guidance cottage prayer meetings were held resulting, shortly, in the organization of the Montrose Baptist Sunday School. The first meeting of the Sunday School was held on Easter Sunday, 1917, in the portable school building on the southwest corner of Montrose and Melvina Avenues. Mr. Fred Williams was the first superintendent. At that time, the Northwest side of Chicago still was largely open countryside which can now only be found many miles away from Metropolitan Chicago. At that time, for example, street drainage was done with open ditches rather than through underground sewers in many places.
Thanks to the kindness of Mr. Oliver Watson, alderman of the ward, the Sunday School soon moved into better quarters in a business building on the northwest corner of Montrose and Melvina Avenues. It was in this building that the Sunday School met until the completion of a frame church building on the northeast corner in 1921.
Until 1922 the fellowship was known as the Montrose Baptist Mission and was a branch of the LaSalle Avenue Baptist Church. Then, on Thursday, November 9, 1922 a meeting was called to organize a church independent of the LaSalle Avenue Baptist Church. This meeting was attended by Pastor Rogers, of the LaSalle Avenue Baptist Church, and by Dr. Benjamin Otto, Superintendent of the Chicago Baptist Executive Council. It was on this date that a temporary organization was formed and Mr. Chester W. Baer, a student at Moody Bible Institute, was called as first pastor of the church. Essentially, the result of the meeting was the founding of the present Montrose Baptist Church. However, the early years were not easy for the founders. There was no full-time pastor until 1927 and, as the church grew, the frame building in which the membership met became too small to meet the needs of the growing Sunday School.
Following the resignation of Mr. Baer in January of 1925, Mr. Myron Campbell, a student at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, served as pastor until June, 1926. Succeeding Mr. Campbell was Mr. A.P. White, also a student at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, who continued to serve until his graduation in February 1927.
Accepting a call in February 1927, Rev. Walter Anderson became the first full-time pastor of the church. On May 20, 1927, a service was held celebrating the acceptance of the church into the larger fellowship of the Chicago Baptist Association. By this time it was apparent that the frame building could no longer accommodate the increase in attendance in worship and Sunday School. Consequently, a building committee was appointed, consisting of L.R. Cooper, B. J. Ostergaard and Emiel Schott, to begin negotiations with the Chicago Baptist Association to develop financing for a new church building.
After the Chicago Baptist Association agreed to finance the project, and after several revisions of the plans, groundbreaking began on October 28, 1928. Those participating in the laying of the cornerstone were Dr. Otto, Rev. L. H. Broeker of the Albany Park Baptist Church, Rev. J. C. Dent of Judson Baptist Church, and Rev. Chester Baer, first pastor of Montrose Baptist Church.
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The building was dedicated on June 2, 1929, with Dr. George W. Taft, President of Northern Seminary, Dr. Otto and Rev. E.E. Carr taking part in the service. The original frame building, housing the church’s ministries, was moved about one block south on Melvina Avenue where it is a small residence, still in use, on the east side of the street.
Four months after the dedication of the new building the stock market crashed and the Great Depression started and would last for almost ten years. The support of the Chicago Baptist Association helped to maintain a full-time ministry and outreach at Montrose Baptist Church during those difficult years; even though it was through a series of short term pastorates. A significant mission during this time was the establishment of a good Sunday School; plus lay leadership and the training of fine young ministers for work in other fields of service. Many of the boys who grew up in the Sunday School also served our country in the armed forces during World War II.
The twenty fifth anniversary in 1947 saw the church beginning to grow and develop under the very able leadership of Rev. Frank Arnold who came to the church in 1946 after service as an Army Air Force chaplain. Under his leadership the active membership doubled, the offerings tripled and weekly attendance reached a new peak. Also, under his leadership, and the help of the Chicago Baptist Association, a parsonage was purchased by the church at 6258 W. Eastwood Avenue. Rev. Arnold’s ministry was cut short when he was called back into the service as an Air Force chaplain in 1951, due to the Korean conflict.
The church then called Rev. Elmer Brayton to serve as pastor. Under his ministry the church continued to be blessed. An extensive building- improvement program was launched which included the tiling of the floors, the purchase of new pews and pulpit furniture, and painting the entire interior of the building. Three years later, Rev. Brayton left for another field of service and Rev. Noel Liddle was called to be pastor. Under Rev. Liddle’s ministry a youth program and an active Sunday School program prospered. He was succeeded by Rev. Owen Stewart who accepted the call to Montrose Baptist Church in July 1959. Under the leadership of Rev. Stewart, the church made great strides in developing lay leadership, community outreach, and the organization of various programs. In 1966, Rev. Stewart accepted a call to another church and Montrose Baptist was served by a student pastor, David Kreider, in the intervening period until January 1968. At that time, Rev. Andrew Kmetko answered the call to become pastor of Montrose Baptist Church.
During the period of Rev. Liddle’s and Rev. Stewart’s pastorates, Montrose Baptist Church and New Covenant Baptist Church combined their resources to conduct two week long Vacation Bible Schools. New Covenant Baptist Church was another American Baptist Church, located only about one mile east of Montrose Baptist Church.
Furthermore, Rev. Kmetko was the pastor of the New Covenant Church during this time. Under his pastorate there, it was an active and successful church with a solid core membership. Rev. Stewart and Rev. Kmetko developed a comradeship during this period of time as part of a larger yoke fellowship of Baptist pastors on the Northwest side of Chicago which met on a regular basis. They were, in effect, a support group engaged in an agenda of prayer, sharing dialogs, and volleyball as a recreation at the Irving Park YMCA. An outgrowth of this fellowship was the creation of youth retreats, a young men’s softball league, a young men’s basketball program, as
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well as a continuation of the Sunday evening “singspirations” that were being conducted in a rotation of host churches on the Northwest side of Chicago. It was in this context that Rev. Stewart eventually approached Rev. Kmetko about the possibility of a merger of Montrose Baptist Church with New Covenant Baptist Church. The reason for his proposal was that the close proximity of these two American Baptist churches lent itself to a serious consideration of combining the resources of both churches in order to strengthen similar ministries that were being carried out and overlapping in the same general area. Rev. Stewart was already planning to answer a call from another church. And, he encouraged the possibility of merger to the membership of Montrose Baptist Church for a period of time before his departure. He further recommended to them that Rev. Kmetko be the pastor of the newly merged church. Subsequently, the deacon boards of both churches began to meet together, as a merger committee, to further explore the possibility of a merger. Over a period of the next two years, the two churches began to share in joint activities, such as Vacation Bible School, Church Picnic, Mother and Daughter Banquet, and the Christmas Progressive Dinner in order to get to know each other better.
Rev. Kmetko sought the advice and counsel of Rev. Al Diman, Executive Minister of the Chicago Baptist Association (CBA) about the advisability of a merger between Montrose Baptist Church and New Covenant Baptist Church. Rev. Diman said the decision must be made by the two churches. However, he asked Rev. T.V.L.Harvey, Director of Church Extension of CBA, to study the matter and to share his observations with the combined deacon boards.Rev. Harvey concluded that the merger idea had merit, depending on whether or not there is a shared vision for the future and where the merged church will finally be located. New Covenant Baptist Church had a fine facility, built in 1930. Its worship center was well appointed and could hold more worshipers than the one at Montrose Baptist Church. It had a full basement in which the Children’s Sunday School met (adults met upstairs), fellowship dinners and youth gatherings were held, and Vacation Bible School was conducted. However, it was located on one residential lot with low visibility, one block away from two main thoroughfares. Montrose Baptist Church did not have a basement but it utilized its second floor in the same way as New Covenant Church utilized its basement. However, it was located directly on a busy main thoroughfare, with high visibility, and had space for expansion because it was the owner of five contiguous residential lots at the corner of Montrose and Melvina Avenues. The 1928 building was built on the northwest corner of these combined properties, with an ample parking lot on the east side of the property, alongside a large, empty west lawn.
The merger committee developed a vision for an expanded ministry, with a physical plant large enough to handle a variety of programs in an outreach to the community. Rev. Harvey picked up on this and brought Rev. L. Gordon Bucy of the American Baptist Extension Corporation (ABEC), from Valley Forge, PA, to provide additional counsel for the committee. Rev. Bucy was an architect and an ordained American Baptist minister. After visiting both sites and considering all aspects of the merger decision, including the emotional side in which one of the congregations will be giving up their building and moving to the other church, Rev. Bucy recommended that the merged church be located at the Montrose Baptist site and embark on a building program with a community outreach emphasis. In his recommendation, the financing for the building program would be largely from the proceeds of the sale of the vacated building. Rev. Bucy presented his proposal to a combined meeting of the two churches in late summer 1967. About two months later, the decision to merge and engage in a building program was put
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to a vote on the same Sunday in both churches. The vote in Montrose Baptist was unanimous in favor of merging and embarking on a building program. The vote for approval failed at New Covenant Baptist. A 2/3 majority was needed and failed by about 2 votes. Understandably, not everyone wanted to leave a building that housed a lot of personal and warm memories. However, within the group that voted in favor of merger and building program a very real and undeniable vision for a future outreach had been developed. Rev. Kmetko had this vision too and was persuaded by the affirming group to lead them over to joining Montrose Baptist Church and to proceed with the building program and to have faith that the financing of the building program will somehow be provided for.
After serving as the fine pastor of New Covenant Baptist Church for over seven years, Rev. Kmetko tendered his resignation in late 1967. He and 30 other members moved their membership to Montrose Baptist Church in January 1968. Shortly thereafter, in a business meeting, the enlarged membership of Montrose Baptist Church unanimously voted to embark on a building program to construct additional facilities which could enable a greater and more comprehensive outreach for Jesus Christ to persons in the immediate community and surrounding area. A Building Council was appointed with Allan Firak as chairman. The initial planning stage was conducted under the guidance of Rev. Harvey, with additional counsel coming from Rev. Bucy. Rev. Harvey guided the Building Council in the selection of Robert C. Taylor and Associates as the architect on November 27, 1968. The choice proved to be an excellent one because of that firm’s long experience in church design and Mr. Taylor’s skill in putting vision into a functional and attractive design; at the same time holding down costs to the extent possible.
Another action taken in 1968 was the purchase of a house at 4578 N. Merrimac Avenue
to serve as parsonage in replacement of the house at 6258 W. Eastwood Avenue. The Merrimac house was larger than the Eastwood house and proceeds from the sale of the Eastwood property came close to covering the purchase price of the Merrimac house.
Two Capital Fund Campaigns were conducted, each with a three year life span. The first campaign occurred from 1969 to 1972. The second campaign ran from 1974 to 1977. Both were conducted under the faith-filled direction of Rev. D. Ralph Nichols of ABEC. A combined total of $ 90,000 was pledged in giving over and above regular giving.
The Building Council, consisting of 22 members, became active and energized under the direction of Rev. Ralph Belknap from the Comprehensive Building Services (CBS) office of ABEC. He succeeded Rev. Bucy in that office. His services were contracted on January 22, 1973, after the Building Fund had reached an appreciable total in giving by that time. Under his guidance committees were formed within the Building Council to determine the kind of programs that will be undertaken and the type of facility we needed for them, and could afford to build. The Survey Committee, chaired by Robert Cella, using recent census data and making conservative demographic projections, found the entire surrounding community to be solid and stable with a good future for continuing stability. The Program Committee, chaired by William Walter, summarized all present activities and recommended future programs and ministries. The Finance Committee, chaired by Robert Storozuk, organized the Capital Fund Campaigns and from their results established a construction budget. It was also through their preparations in an extremely tight money market that negotiations for a loan were attempted. Finally, through the
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intervention of Rev. Belknap, a loan of $ 90,000 was acquired from ABEC. Without the loan the building program could not have been attempted at that time. The Publicity Committee, chaired by Beverly Orians, kept the congregation informed on progress in the program and made necessary publicity releases. The Construction Committee, chaired by Building Council Chairman Allan Firak, reviewed and approved the final plans, selected the general contractor, and subsequently reviewed all billings and invoices.
The final plans called for a Multi-Purpose Building to be built next to the existing building. The existing building would remain as the Sanctuary Building with classroom space on the second floor. The Multi-Purpose Building would accommodate a very active AWANA program, the Sunday School Primary Department, the Nursery, a fully equipped kitchen for fellowship dinners, a large fellowship space which would accommodate the dinners, serve as an activities room, plus handle worship services and community events. The building would also include the Pastor’s Study and rest rooms that are handicapped -accessible. The building was also designed to accommodate a day care center. The whole building would be handicapped-accessible and its design had a community outreach emphasis in it. The design facilitated many needed improvements in the church’s overall physical plant. The theme of the building program was “Building Today’s Church for Today’s World”. However, it was designed with an eye toward the future.
A contract for a construction cost of $ 132,570 was executed with the R.W. Construction Company, as general contractor, on November 20, 1974. A ground-breaking ceremony and service of dedication occurred on Sunday afternoon, November 24, 1974. Additional costs were financed by the church as add-ons to the original budget for facilities and improvements that were put in either by the general contractor or by volunteers from the church. These added costs included purchase of furniture and equipment. The extra costs
totaled $ 10,500, mostly covered by special gifts. The volunteer work included painting, paneling, carpentry, landscaping, electrical, and cleanup details , totaling hundreds of hours of effort over a span of three months.
Construction of the Multi-Purpose Building was well-coordinated between the architect and the general contractor in an expeditious and cooperative manner. The foundations were poured on April 2, 1975 and the building was occupied in September of the same year. The building was dedicated in a special service on a sunny Sunday afternoon on November 23, 1975. Host pastor Rev. Kmetko welcomed members and friends, pastors from the CBA and Rev. William ( Bill ) Nelson, Executive Minister of the CBA who was the principal speaker. The ceremony also included the mortaring of the cornerstone, dated 1975. The contents placed behind the cornerstone included the following : 1.) Picture Album of Members and Friends, 2.) Program of Ground-breaking Service, 3.) Program of Dedication Service, 4.) Building Council Survey Report, 5.) Building Council Program Committee Report, 6.) Building Council Finance Committee Brochure for the Capital Fund Campaigns, 7.) Church Membership Directory, 8.) Cassette recording of Dedication Service. The mortgage for the building was fully paid up by autumn of 1985 and the mortgage burning service was held on Sunday afternoon November 10, 1985. Rev. James Jones, pastor of Montrose Baptist at that time, officiated in that service. Montrose Baptist Church had no further financial encumbrances from the building program.
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Rev. Kmetko provided pastoral leadership throughout the length of the building program, 1968 through 1975. He served as pastor for two more years, until mid 1977. At that time, he had to retire for medical reasons. He was pastor of Montrose Baptist Church for nearly ten years, the longest tenure, todate, of any pastor of the church. During his pastorate at Montrose Baptist many significant ministries were undertaken and many special activities and affairs were conducted to build a spirit of community. Among these ministries were two youth clubs: a program for teens followed by a very successful AWANA program ( Pals and Chums ), a variety of Bible studies including cottage meetings, weekend church retreats, a church renewal weekend with members of a North Carolina church visiting us, every member canvasses, neighborhood visitation, monthly potluck dinners, a ministry at the Read Mental Health Center, Christmas and Easter choir cantatas, Christmas programs including Christmas plays performed by the Sunday School Teen Class, all-day bus outings to Starved Rock State Park, summer and autumn picnics, Sunday School membership drives each spring with a highest total of 100 reached one year, progressive dinners during the holiday season, special events sponsored by the AWANA Clubs, e.g. pancake breakfasts, spaghetti dinners, hamburger nights, ice cream socials, car washes, weekend retreats at Camp AWANA in Wisconsin .
Throughout Rev. Kmetko’s pastorate his preaching and Bible studies were based on a consistent dedication to scripture and careful preparation. He was people- oriented and loved by his congregation.
After Rev. Kmetko’s retirement, a pastoral search committee was formed under the guidance of Rev. Bill Nelson, Executive Minister of the CBA. The committee was provided with a number of profiles of ministers who were currently available to take on a new ministry or who were considering a change in their pastoral location. After due consideration of the profiles, the committee asked if Rev. Robert Colpitts might consider coming to Montrose Baptist Church as pastor of the church. Rev. Colpitts had recently retired from Albany Park Baptist Church after being pastor there for 27 years. The committee was very familiar with Rev. Colpitts through combined singspirations and other gatherings of CBA churches. In the committee’s view, Rev. Colpitts was a retiree with a young attitude and a good level of energy. He was a very personable and astute pastor. As it turned out, after a series of Sundays serving as pulpit supply at Montrose Baptist, Rev. Colpitts was interested and available. The church was very pleased, and after a congregational vote, received Rev. Colpitts as pastor in November 1977.
Rev. Bob Colpitts, as he was known, continued the community outreach of Montrose Baptist Church. He supported the AWANA youth program and fellowship gatherings. He also brought in the Golden Diners nutrition program from the City of Chicago on October 1, 1979. This program provides well-balanced meals and an opportunity for socialization for neighborhood senior citizens, at a nominal cost, Monday through Friday every week of the year. Rev. Bob truly was a beloved pastor to the Golden Diner seniors. He connected with them in an understanding and congenial manner. Many of the seniors were members of local Catholic parishes who had a tendency to call him Father Bob in a loving way. Rev. Colpitts also brought Montrose Baptist into an inter-denominational group of local churches from the surrounding area to minister to shut-ins and elderly persons living by themselves. The group was known as the “Northwest Cluster of Caring Churches”. Each member church developed its own assignments of needy seniors and shut-ins. These were persons who would be basically isolated and could use a weekly phone call, as a minimum, to check on their well-being and to find out if there was a need for
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grocery shopping or to pick up prescriptions at the drug store, or some other need that the caller could fill. The Montrose Baptist group was known as “The Shepherd’s Society” which met monthly to report on contacts made on assignments. A representative from the “Shepherd’s Society” would then meet with representatives with the other “Cluster” churches for monthly meetings devoted to dialog and training. He had a zeal for letter writing and making himself available for counseling and visitation. He also brought in two seminarians, Jack Scandrette, and then Jim Jones, in succession, to help as assistant pastors. Jim followed Jack in this capacity after Jack’s departure to pastor another church. They and their families were housed in the parsonage while serving as assistant pastors. The parsonage was available due to the fact that Rev. Colpitts had his own home at the time. Rev. Bob also initiated and promoted the window replacement program whereby all of the first floor windows in the Sanctuary Building were replaced by beautiful art glass windows. These windows are especially appreciated in the worship center. The cost for all the windows was covered by monetary gifts, many of which were in memory of departed loved ones. Another aspect of Rev. Bob’s pastoral guidance was his emphasis on fiduciary responsibility and watchfulness. We were kept on course to pay off the mortgage on the Multi-Purpose Building.
Rev. Colpitts had served as pastor of Montrose Baptist Church for over five years when he was stricken by illness and needed to retire again in early spring 1983. The church had an appreciation service and party for him on a chilly Sunday afternoon in April and the sanctuary was filled with an overflow crowd. Many seniors from the Golden Diners Club also came to honor and to show their love for Rev./Father Bob. The coat rack in the narthex collapsed from the weight of all the coats hung on it. Everyone had a good laugh about it. It was a joyous occasion. Later in the year, in November, Rev. Bob went to be home with the Lord.
James Jones was Rev. Colpitts choice to succeed him as pastor of Montrose Baptist Church. He had already been filling-in for Rev. Colpitts and living in the parsonage. The church knew him and his family well and was pleased with him. He was attending Northern Baptist Theological Seminary and working in the front office at the Seminary. The church took Rev. Colpitts advice and turned over the pastorate to Jim Jones, first as student pastor than as an ordained pastor after Jim’s graduation from the seminary. Rev. Jim continued to work at the seminary as an instructor. It was in that capacity that he brought over several of his students to help in the ministries in Montrose Baptist Church, in youth work and in a young adult ministry. In this period of time, Montrose discontinued using the AWANA youth program, after 12 years, and moved over to using the PIONEER CLUBS youth program for its children’s ministry to the neighborhood. Additional help was obtained from college students from Moody Bible Institute for the youth program and in Sunday School. The combination of the seminarians and Moody students, with a young pastor, resulted in a more contemporary style of worship in the morning Worship Hour. Further, the young adult ministry, which was called “The Gathering “ met on Sunday evenings with good attendance. Attendance picked up in Sunday School and in the morning Worship Hour with younger generation attendees coming in from the surrounding neighborhood. Other fellowships continued, such as potluck dinners, picnics and outings. The PIONEER CLUBS were experiencing good turnouts, similar to the success experienced with the AWANA program. Then, unexpectedly, Jim Jones regretfully resigned on October 31, 1991 after being with Montrose Baptist Church as student pastor and pastor for almost nine years
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Through the first six months of 1992, all of the church programs were carried out in much the same manner as previously, but with no pastor in place. Pulpit supply was being handled by laymen within the membership, with preaching experience, plus the seminarians and Moody students. A change came in June of that year when many of the seminarians and Moody students graduated. Preaching continued to be handled by the laymen and the few seminarians who remained. The worship style reverted to more traditional and the ”Gathering” discontinued to meet. Attrition in attendance began, with many of the newer, younger members moving on to other churches in the area.
The deacon board and the longer- term members remained resolute in their faith that turnaround was ahead for Montrose Baptist Church. The deacon board was in communication with Rev. Bill Cober, Executive Minister of the CBA, in the search for a new pastor. Due to the rapid pace of developments it was apparent that the standard pastoral search program had to be abbreviated . With the approval of Rev. Cober, Rev. Robert Kribbs approached Montrose Baptist Church about being a candidate for the pastorate of the church. He had visited Montrose Baptist on several occasions prior to offering himself for the position. He had been ordained as a Southern Presbyterian minister originally and after years of service as a Presbyterian minister and even working as a chaplain in an Episcopalian institution he wound up in Chicago and attended First Baptist Church of Oak Park and became active in the CBA. He was filling-in as pulpit supply at Belmont Park Baptist Church. It was through his association with the CBA that he came to know of Montrose Baptist Church and its search for a pastor. He wanted to go back into a pastoral ministry although he had a serious heart condition. The church quickly warmed up to his style of preaching and his gentle and caring manner. Rev. Bob Kribbs began preaching in September 1992 and was finally called to be interim pastor of Montrose Baptist by a congregational vote on the first Sunday of November. He presided over the church’s 75th anniversary service and dinner on November 15, 1992. He also took action by obtaining a loan from ABEC for new roofing that was needed on the Multi-purpose Building, and monitored the work while it was in progress in November. He also brought in John Sundquist Jr. as an assistant pastor. John was a seminarian at North Park Theological Seminary. Later in November he conducted the Thanksgiving Eve service in a very personal way whereby those in attendance connected with him in a time of thanksgiving and praise. All in all, it was a busy time for him. He displayed a caring pastor’s heart. Then, on the Friday after Thanksgiving his heart stopped and he went to be with the Lord while he was at his desk at home finalizing his sermon for Sunday. The entire congregation grieved his sudden loss.
Rev. Bill Cober and John Sundquist stepped in to provide pulpit supply in December 1992. The year of 1993 began with lay leaders and John Sundquist filling the pulpit. Then, Rev. Cober brought in Rev. Bill Mugford to provide pulpit supply February through June. Rev. Mugford had relocated to Chicago from Toronto where he had successfully planted a large church in downtown Toronto. He was continuing his studies at the University of Chicago.
Rev. Bill Cober retired in December 1992 and was succeeded by Rev. Duane Gibson as Executive Minister. It was during Rev. Cober’s tenure that the Chicago Baptist Association ( CBA ) was renamed American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago ( ABC-MC ) on October 19, 1991 . Rev. Gibson soon made himself available to Montrose Baptist Church to help in its search for a pastor. Rev. Gibson informed Montrose Baptist about Rev. Donald Andrews who was
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Pastor of First Baptist Church of Lake Geneva . Rev. Andrews and his wife were originally from Chicago and he indicated by letter an interest in relocating to a pastorate in the Chicago area
On June 24, 1993, Rev. Andrews met with two deacons at the church to tour the facilities and the parsonage. He preached at Montrose Baptist on July 11, 1993 and met with the deacon board on September 9, 1993. Three other candidates preached in the month of July too. By this time, in 1993, attendance had dropped to a core of long-time members and a drop in giving resulted from the drop in attendance. Also, by this time, Rev. Gibson resigned to return to his previous pastorate in downtown Des Moines Iowa and Millie Myren stepped in to administer the office of Executive Minister on an interim basis. Millie had full knowledge of the long and fruitful ministry at Montrose Baptist, its recent misfortunes, its facilities, and the real potential for rebuilding. She arranged a restart monthly subsidy for five years from the American Baptist Convention to cover some of the costs for the pastoral ministry. Subsequently, Rev. Andrews preached his candidating message on October 24, 1993. A congregational vote was taken on November 7, with a unanimous approval for calling Rev. Andrews to become pastor of the church. He accepted. For the months of August through December John Sunquist and Rev. Andrew Kmetko provided pulpit supply.
Rev. Andrews began as full-time pastor of Montrose Baptist in January 1994. The order of the worship service was again more traditional. Prayer was emphasized and more traditional hymns were sung, led by Rev. Andrew’s strong voice. The weekly Bible study and prayer meeting was restarted and a new youth group was formed in 1996, called the Youth Bible Club, after four years with no youth program. Attendance in church improved with a number of new members joining, many of whom later assumed responsibilities in the administration of church duties. Fellowship dinners were continued and the church was in a period of growth and stability . After serving Montrose Baptist for five and one half years Rev. Don Andrews retired at the end of May 1999. He had announced his plans for retirement a couple of months previously and a pastoral search committee had been formed. Rev. Millie Myren was the Executive Minister of ABC-MC by this time and provided the committee with a number of pastoral profiles of ministers who were not a pastor of a church at the time or who were available to make a move from their current pastorate. From June through August 1999 pulpit supply was provided by Rev. Andrew Kmetko, Rev. Richard Clossman and Rev. Peter Borzeka, all retired American Baptist pastors. From September 1999 through December 2000 pulpit supply was provided by student pastors Jason Platt and Michael Merry, who were students in pastoral studies at Moody Bible Institute and also part of the leadership of the Youth Bible Club. Rev. Kmetko also filled in at the pulpit on occasion during this time.
Since 1996, the Youth Bible Club had students from Moody Bible Institute help in providing leadership on club nights. It was part of their PCM ( Practical Christian Ministry ) requirement for graduation. Jason Platt, from Watervliet, Michigan, was in the first group in 1996. The PCM requirement is normally for one year at a particular assignment. Jason sought reassignment to Montrose Baptist for two additional years. He had a feeling for the ministries and potential at the church. In 1999, Jason and his fiancée, Tanya, also a Moody student and also a part of the Youth Bible Club leadership, told the church that after they got married they were going to take a one year break, and stay in the Chicago area, before Jason entered the seminary and they would be pleased to aid the
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ministries at the church and to help the new minister in any way they could during this period of time. The response from the deacon board and pastoral relations committee was that we would be pleased if they did that. Further, the deacon board offered them the use of the parsonage since it was now available for occupancy. Since the pastoral search was in an early stage it would be a while before a decision was made by the church to call a new pastor.
Jason and Tanya were married on December 29, 1999 and moved into the parsonage in January 2000. After Michael Merry departed for seminary in California in August 2000, Jason became the full-time preacher. At this time he also had a secular job to build up a fund for seminary expenses. Rev. Kmetko provided pulpit supply once a month to give Jason some relief. By this time, Rev. Millie Myren had retired and was succeeded as Executive Minister by Rev. William Nelson in 2000. ( Not to be confused with Rev. Bill Nelson who previously was Executive Minister.) Rev. William Nelson visited Montrose Baptist Church one Sunday in February 2001. He liked what he heard from and saw in Jason Platt as he conducted the worship hour and preached the message. In Rev. Nelson’s opinion Montrose Baptist already had its prime pastoral candidate in Jason Platt. Following his recommendation, the pastoral relations committee, with deacon board approval, on March 5, 2001 offered Jason the pastor’s position and compensation package if he intended to remain in the area and attend a local seminary. He had not made up his mind yet on whether or not he would move to another state to attend seminary. After much prayer, and the counsel of others in the ministry, Jason and Tanya decided to remain in Chicago and accept the offer from Montrose Baptist Church. They expressed the love they had developed for the people and ministries of the church. On March 25, 2001 he was licensed to preach by the church.
Jason resigned the secular job in June 2002 to devote more time to pastoral duties and, in September, he began studies in Trinity Seminary in Deerfield, Illinois. In January 2002, the church took official action to designate Jason Platt the pastor of Montrose Baptist Church, although he had already been functioning in that role. Rev. William Nelson retired as Executive Minister of ABC-MC in 2002 and was succeeded by Rev. Dr. Leonard Thompson. It was Rev. Thompson who officiated the formal installation service for Pastor Jason Platt on March 9, 2003. Dr. John Koessler, chair of pastoral studies at Moody Bible Institute, gave the installation sermon. Under Pastor Platt’s leadership the church is again experiencing growth in membership and has developed a worship hour taking full advantage of newer technology in audio and visual presentations, using a DLP projector and screen purchased through a gift given by a former member. He is also moving in the direction of a wider community outreach taking full advantage of a large, lighted outdoor sign and a Montrose Baptist website. He is committed to the Golden Diner’s program and a successful youth outreach, including Boy Scouts. The Youth Bible Club and the Jr. Hi/Sr. Hi Club had their successes. Subsequently, we returned to the PIONEER CLUB youth program for two years and, then, a 180 Club for the Jr. Hi/Sr. Hi youth and a JAM program for the younger children as an outreach to neighborhood children. Subsequently, the youth outreach has refocused on a program for children in grades 1-6. The Scouts program provides another youth ministry.
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The youth programs had been modified in content and emphasis over several years in an endeavor to find the most effective outreach. Since 1996, the youth programs have been bolstered with additional leadership provided by students from Moody Bible Institute through its PCM (Practical Christian Ministry) program. Pastor Jason is also committed to significant, small group Bible studies and memorization, with an emphasis on an active prayer life. He has also guided new members in developing a sense of community one with the other and with the church family. This was done in 2004 through a “New Connections” class, that he conducted, out of which nine persons joined the church membership. Significant lay ministries were started for members to utilize their spiritual gifts. The following functioning ministry teams were formed for those purposes : Care, Outreach, Education, International Ministries, Friendship, Worship, Youth Groups, Community Concern. Volunteer Sunday had become a fixture in the church calendar. The culmination of which is a cookout at the parsonage, graciously hosted by Pastor Jason and Tanya Platt. They also host an annual Family Christmas Party and caroling outing at their home. Other annual events that fill out the church calendar are Palm Sunday, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Breakfast (Colpitts Center), Easter Worship Hour, the Church Picnic (Methodist Campground), Thanksgiving Eve Service, Christmas Banquet (Colpitts Center), Christmas Program, plus other celebrations, e.g. Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Missionary Sundays.
Pastor Jason’s preaching is expository and theme based, done in sermon series, carefully constructed and Bible-centered. A typical theme was one titled “Driven by Purpose; Driven by Christ.” Later on, as an evangelistic outreach, and a means for rededicated discipleship, Montrose Baptist Church embarked on the five week, six Sundays 40 Days of Purpose program developed by Rick Warren. Participants were engaged in daily readings and Bible memorization and in small group / Sunday School class discussions. The outreach resulted in increased attendance in Sunday School and in the worship hour. Two additional Adult Sunday School classes were formed as a result of the campaign as well as an increase in church membership. Another outreach is the utilization of the church for secular needs, such as serving as an election day polling place. The pastor prepares a hospitality table for voters and the election judges, serving coffee and pastries, plus providing Christian literature, including church bulletins. Additionally, through the Golden Diners program, free flu shots are administered by Chicago Health Department nurses to senior citizens from the surrounding neighborhoods.
In addition to the Polish language ministries conducted in Montrose Baptist Church, a succession of three Korean congregations have worshiped there. Further, Roma / Gypsy congregations have used the facility for worship. The church is open to full utilization of the facilities it has been blessed with, especially in furthering the cause of Christ.
Because of a generous bequest received in 2000, from the Leif Nelson estate, Montrose Baptist Church has been able to complete many building improvements such as air conditioning in the Multi-Purpose Building and in the second floor of the Sanctuary Building, providing more comfort in worship and in conducting various outreach programs.
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Other improvements include new roofing on the multi-purpose building, tuck pointing of the 1928 building, re-paving the parking lot, energy-efficient windows in the Colpitts Center and the second floor of the 1928 building. In addition, other significant improvements were achieved through volunteer work details, under the direction of Deacon of Maintenance Joe Niemiec. Mostly single-handedly, Joe also accomplished a number of other improvements around the physical plant of the church and significant improvements in the parsonage.
Pastor Jason Platt has led the way in the initiation of other types of outreach, such as the annual Super Bowl Party and the Major League Baseball All-Star Game party. Using the DLP projector, we are able to project both televised events on a large screen in the Colpitts Center. The parties are open to the neighborhood and the turnouts are typically very good. During halftime of the Super Bowl game a Christian video is shown in place of the televised halftime show. As a result of showing the videos we’ve experienced responses of 10 to 15 persons making a decision for Christ. The scouting program is strongly supported by Pastor Platt. As a result of their relationship with the church, the scouts have engaged in work details within the church facilities also. On their annual Scout Sunday, the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venture group, and parents, join us in worship in large numbers. The pastor has also sought ways in which to combine special events with the Polish Evangelical Fellowship, which meets regularly in our church, including a block party in the parking lot and a vacation Bible school conducted in English.
With all of the blessings Montrose Baptist Church has received under the leadership of Pastor Jason Platt, with his devoted and resourceful wife, Tanya, the church finds itself looking toward the future with faith and optimism.
In conclusion, it must be said, that this text is an overview of the history of Montrose Baptist Church, primarily highlighting pastoral leadership. It is not complete in that there is no mention of many key laypersons who also provided leadership over the years and the multitude of other laypersons who contributed in so many ways, in choirs, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, youth clubs, Bible studies, fellowship dinners, visitations, looking after the needs of the elderly, church finances, in worship arrangements, and in many, many other ways. The list of names would be very lengthy and runs the risk of many omissions. In a real sense, the laypersons have been functioning as a priesthood of believers in serving the church and facilitating its mission. Some exceptions to not listing those names, in this text, were in identifying the 1968-1975 Building Council and the 1927 Building Committee. The precedence for this was the fact that the 1927 Building Committee was named previously in an older historical record.
Another omission, with one exception, was not naming the pastor’s spouses who over the years provided vital support and service in the pastoral ministries. As in the case of many key lay leaders, that list would be incomplete because many of these names are not available in the records left behind over the years. But, most important, the Lord knows who they are.
Montrose Baptist Church has a rich history, indeed, and after 90 years it is still shining brightly as a lighthouse in the community in which it was placed so many years ago. It was planted as the Montrose Baptist Mission. With the vision, optimism and commitment of a few people, it formally became Montrose Baptist Church five years later in 1922. Some day we will rejoice with them on what has happened since then. From the beginning, and through all of the ensuing years, the church has been faithful in its mission to reach others for Jesus Christ and in providing a close community of caring believers for those who join the fold; all under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Compiled by Allan J. Firak
September 2007
MONTROSE BAPTIST CHURCH MINISTERS
Chester W. Baer 1922-1925
Myron C. Campbell 1925-1926
Aubrey P. White 1926-1927
Walter Anderson 1927-1932
Ralph Erickson 1932-1935
Charles R. MacDonald 1935-1938
Irving B. Peterson 1938-1940
Nicolai A. Wiens 1940-1943
Ralph B. Gale 1943-1945
Haakon Knudsen ( Interim ) 1945-1946
Frank M. Arnold Jr. 1946-1951
Elmer Brayton 1951-1954
Noel Liddle 1954-1959
Owen W. Stewart 1959-1966
David Kreider ( Student ) 1966-1968
Andrew Kmetko 1968-1977
Robert Colpitts 1977-1983
James Jones 1983-1991
Robert Kribbs 1992
Donald Andrews 1994-1999
Jason Platt and Michael Merry ( Students ) 2000
Jason Platt 2001- Present
Montrose Baptist ChurchA Lighthouse in Our Community
Shining the Light & Love of Jesus for 90 Years
1917 – 2007
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
- Matthew 5:14-16