WSBC History

August 1912 - The First Missionary Baptist Church was formed.

November 24, 1912 - After a split, The Baptist Mission was organized.

1925 - Land at 45th and Wolf Road was purchased

March 4, 1928 - First meeting in the basement sanctuary on the site.

1933-1938 - The congregation split into two but eventually reunited.

1942 - Helen Prestidge Howard is the first missionary sent out from the church.

1943 - Billy Graham becomes Pastor.

1944 - "Songs in the Night" radio program moved to the church. The name "The Village Church of Western Springs" was adopted so the radio program would be inter-denominational.

1945 - Lloyd Fesmire becomes pastor.

1949 - The sanctuary building is completed.

1958 - The church is renovated to add the Fireside Room and offices.

1962 - Billy Graham returned to lead a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the church. Later in the year, a new organ was dedicated in a concert by Don Hustad.

1967 - Art Brown becomes pastor. "Songs in the Night" is moved to Moody; a Christian Counseling Center is opened; a sister church relationship with the Keystone Baptist Church is established and later, a relationship with the Humboldt Park ministries is formed.

1975 - The Community Room is completed.

1980 - A new Saville organ was purchased. Ken Medema was involved in promoting the organ and, once again, Don Hustad was involved with dedication of the organ.

1989 to 1993 - Dick Norwood becomes the pastor.

1996 - John Beukema becomes the pastor.

1999 - The "Faithful Today, Transforming Tomorrow" drive begins.

September, 2001 - Construction of the new church begins and we begin worshiping at the Christian Reformed Church.

January 26, 2003 - Our first service in the new Sanctuary.