First United Presbyterian Church

A Short History of Nameoki United Presbyterian Church

As the area north of Granite City called Nameoki began to develop after World War II, it became apparent that the services of a church were needed. The Presbyterians were first to respond and Nameoki Presbyterian Church was born.

The Synod of Illinois send Miss Ruth Mohr to the Nameoki area in 1947 to organize the first Sunday School. Classes, and later church services, were held in the Nameoki Elementary School on Pontoon Road.

Later that year, on October 1, 1947, the pastor of the Mitchell Presbyterian Church, The Rev. Hobart C. Chapin began regular worship services in addition to his duties in the Mitchell church. A council of interested adults was formed and met monthly to oversee the developing congregation.

The group felt the necessity of becoming a full-fledged congregation and presented Alton Presbytery with a petition containing 40 names on April 19,1949. Just a month later, on May 15, 1949, the Nameoki Presbyterian Church was legally organized: the first officers of the church were installed at that same service.

Land for a church building was provided through the generosity of George W. Stearns, a real estate developer involved in the growth of the Nameoki area. He was one of a number of members from First Presbyterian Church of Granite City to make a significant contribution to the early growth of the Nameoki church.

On December 19, 1948, the congregation along with visiting ministers and friends, gathered at the site, just east of the Nameoki Elementary School, to dedicate the land to the glory of God.

A Building Committee was formed to present plans for a new structure. On September 7, 1950, the contract for the building was awarded to the M.H. Wolfe & Co. of Granite City. Ground-breaking ceremonies were held later that month, on September 24th, and construction of a modest sized combination Sanctuary and Fellowship area was undertaken. The first services held in the building was June 3, 1951, amidst great celebration.

Steady growth marked the early years. Membership was 115 in 1954, 200 in 1958, and 300 by 1962. An addition to the church was completed in 1958.

Declining membership resulted in the merger with First Presbyterian Church of Granite City. The combined church was renamed First United Presbyterian Church of Granite City.