The church was transferred to Manteno in April, 1856 and named, “The First Presbyterian Church of Manteno.” A schoolhouse, the old Illinois Central Freight House and the Methodist Church served as places of worship before the first permanent Presbyterian Church was erected in 1859 on the corner of Walnut and Adams. The land was donated by the Illinois Central Railroad, and the total building cost was eighteen hundred dollars. The church faced south and the pulpit to the north. The board and batten exterior of the building was graced with a tower and gallery at the south end above the entrance. The structure was thirty-six feet by fifty feet, with plain glass windows, plastered walls and box pews.

In 1894, a Memorial Chapel was built at the north end, a gift by a beloved young member, Miss Mary E. Cooley. A new addition was dedicated,January 29, 1905. The beautiful south window, the section containing the figure of the Good Shepherd, was the gift of the primary department of the Sunday School. In 1914, the church was wired for electric lights and fixtures were installed. A kitchen was built on the northeast corner of the church building in 1923.

The need for space to accommodate Sunday School classes resulted in an addition twenty-four feet by forty feet. This was completed to commemorate one hundred years, October 25, 1953. The centennial pastor was The Reverend John C. MacNeil.

On January 23, 1962, the name of the church was officially designated as “The First United Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. , Manteno, Illinois.”

In 1965 the Memorial Chapel was enlarged and renamed the William Stocksdale Fellowship Hall. Rooms for classes, the choir and minister’s study were added to the East side of the building. In celebration of the Bicentennial on July 4, 1976, the mortgage was burned with a re-dedication of the building.

On April 2, 1978, the church celebrated its one hundred twenty-fifth anniversary. Dr James Grayson Armour was pastor at the time. Following Dr Armour’s resignation in May of 1979, Dr Larry McClellan served as pastor until July 1981,followed by the Reverend Glenn “Skip” Cameron from October 1, 1981 to September 23, 1986. The Reverend John Porter was hired as interim pastor from December 21, 1986 until the installation of the Reverend Larry W Moslener who served from July 12, 1987 to December 31, 2002, when he resigned to accept a call as associate pastor of Pastoral Care at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. On September 14, 2004 we called Reverend Derek Morrison to become our new pastor.

Over the years, many improvements have been made to the physical church. In 1980, the sanctuary was completely renovated and redecorated. Additionally, the church kitchen was also completely redone, additional parking spaces were secured, a new roof, air conditioning of the church sanctuary, new carpeting and refurbishing of the Rev. John C. MacNeil lounge has occurred over the years. in December 1987 an Alpha Carillon System was installed and dedicated as a memorial. In 1995 an Allen Digital Computer organ was purchased and dedicated.

Our church has continued to grow spiritually, as well as in numbers, from the original eleven members, to the current membership as of December 31, 2002 of two hundred eighteen. Our church has been blessed with an active membership and an active,faithful Sunday School program. Our 150th year finds our church under the capable, faithful leadership of our elders, committee members, staff, teachers, choir and volunteers as we await the call of our 29th pastor We look forward as we head into the 21st century, sustained by God’s blessing on His people at First Presbyterian Church of Manteno.

Our Mission ...