Spring Creek United Church of Christ (Rockford), 1960+ | Northern Illinois University

On February 1, 1960, Reverend Richard J. Nielsen was sent by the Congregational Church Conference of Illinois to Rockford, for the purpose of formulating two new churches.  Originally meeting in the various homes of its first members, the churches later moved to local elementary schools.  They were named the Woodside Congregational Church and the Spring Creek Congregational Church.  The Spring Creek Congregational Church began with a parish of only 16 members.  On January 5, 1961, the membership of 63 invited Nielsen to become its permanent pastor.  By its one-year anniversary in the spring of that same year, its membership reached 80 members.

The church’s tremendous initial growth necessitated plans to construct a church building on a parcel of land owned by the church, located on Spring Creek Road in Rockford.  Ground was broken in the summer of 1962, and the newly-constructed, $95,000.00 building was ready for occupancy by the spring of 1963.  The first service in the church’s new permanent home was held on Palm Sunday, April 7, 1963.  Nielsen left the church in 1964 to pastor a church in Elkhart, IN.  He was replaced in the interim by Dr. Charles Cooley.  In that same year, the ever-expanding Sunday school prompted the building of an education wing.

Reverend William Bartholomew served as pastor from 1965 until 1973.  During Bartholomew’s ministry, both the music and sports programs expanded and a ball field was built.  Bartholomew continued to be a member of the church and served as Jail Chaplain in the Rockford area for many years.  Reverend John P. Jewell served as Associate Pastor from 1969-1971, and was succeeded by the Reverend Daniel Schiefeling, who served as Assistant Minister and then sole minister from 1971-1974.  Schiefeling helped to expand the church’s youth ministry as well as adult education programs.  Chaplain Rex Hanks assisted with sermons during this time as well.  In 1973, Peggy Guedet and Scott Ballard served as the church’s first missionaries by serving in Bali.

Reverend Walter B. McMullen became Minister in 1974 and served until 1979. During this time the Shepherd plan for the Diaconate began, as did the monthly Presidential Prayer Breakfasts.  The Spring Creek Church was led in the interim period of May, 1979 to February, 1980 by Drs. Leslie Kingsbury and Joel Tibbets - while Betty Kingsbury acted as visitation person, and Barbara Ballard handled organization duties.

Reverend Merle Steva led the congregation from 1980 until his retirement on April 30, 1993.  During Steva’s tenure as Minister, the church resumed two worship services, expanded Sunday school programs, and continued its very active youth, music, and numerous community outreach ministries.  Reverend Eric Dale served as interim pastor from 1993 to 1994, at which time Reverend Jack Kraaz was invited to serve as Minister.  Kraaz served from 1994-2000, at which time he accepted a position to head up a UCC missions church in Surprise, Arizona.

Reverend Janet Shelter served as Interim Pastor from 2000-2001, at which time the church invited Reverend Michael Simmons to become Pastor.

In 2005, the church undertook another major construction project, which included the construction of a new sanctuary, narthex, additional office space, bathrooms, and the re-paving of the parking lot.  The cost of the project was $1,200,000.00.  At the time of this most recent major construction, the Spring Creek Congregational Church, who had been a part of the United Church of Christ since 1957, became recognized officially as the Spring Creek United Church of Christ.  This was evidenced by their new outside marquis, church bulletins, and the church website bearing their new name.  In November of 2007, the congregation voted to become the Rockford area’s first Open and Affirming (ONA) church.  As of 2008, Reverend Simmons continued as Pastor.  Joanne Buss served as Associate Pastor from 2004-2007.  In July, 2008, the church reported approximately 275 members, and continued their very active ministries in the areas of commitment, fellowship, shepherding, building and grounds, music, and worship.  They also continued to reach out to the Rockford community, sponsor mission work, and offer support to charitable organizations throughout the United States and the entire world.