1955-Present
Judson Memorial Baptist Church
Joliet, Illinois IL
Let’s let the published history of Judson Memorial Baptist Church in Joliet, Illinois, and a previous long-time pastor speak for the congregation.
Following a survey and careful study, the American Baptist Convention purchased two acres on Midland Avenue in Joliet for a new church. Seven interested families and a total of nineteen persons gathered at Pershing School on March 6, 1955, for the first worship service. Organization came quickly. Rev. Ivan Estle was called as the first pastor and forty-seven people signed the founding charter on October 20, 1955. They named the church Judson Memorial Baptist Church in honor of Adoniram Judson, the first foreign Baptist missionary from the United States. Ground breaking took place on April 8,1956, and by October of the same year worship was held in a new building….
In early 1994, the city informed the congregation that the new street taking shape made it possible for us to consider building our new edifice. Costs had escalated during the delay, but we were led by the Lord to sell our old property and to break ground at 2800 Black Road in March 1996… .A grand celebration combined a fortieth year anniversary and a dedication of the new facilities in September 1997.[1]
Officially the church is still called Judson Memorial Baptist Church per the constitution but can operate under other assumed names. As long as I was pastor, we felt Judson actually instructed us as to our ministry focus and style and I often talked about that publicly and so Judson was the key part of the name. After so many people stopped by asking if the church was the funeral home, we felt the “memorial” part of the name was not helpful. After researching we also found that the “Baptist” part of the church name kept people from walking in the doors, as Baptists do not have a good name in our highly Catholic area. So the church is now called Judson Church, although Judson Memorial Baptist Church is still the official name.[2]
+++++++++++++++
[1] Richard H. Clossman, Coordinating Editor, Heritage and Horizons: Historical Sketches of American Baptist Churches in Illinois and Missouri (Springfield, Illinois: Historical Commission, Great Rivers Region ABC, 2000), p. 41.
[2] Rev. Kevin Comfort in an email to Jerry Cain, January 17, 2023.