Immanuel had its beginning in the late 1950s with the organization of Bethel Presbyterian Church near the campus of Wheaton College. As a "campus church," it attracted students and faculty with its innovative worship, excellent preaching, and willingness to discuss contemporary issues--traits that are still hallmarks of Immanuel. By 1970, a new church building was completed on Naperville Road in south Wheaton. By the early 1980s the congregation had grown from its small beginnings to roughly 300 members.

Sketch of Immanuel's History 1956-57 Bethel Beginnings - home bible studies and worship at Wheaton Christian Grammar School 1958-59 Formation - first pastor, Ed Urban and purchase of 315 E. Union 1960-64 Foundation - church is "particularized" and long range planning 1965-69 New Directions - Naperville Rd property purchased and worship at Pierce Chapel 1970-74 Crises and Changes - dedication of new building and resignation of pastors 1975-85 Consolidation and Growth - Robert Harvey called as Bethel's 4th minister and church attendance grows 1985-89 Diversity and Division - attendance exceeds 400, building expanded and congregation votes to separate from the Orthodox Presbyterian Church over worship issues and lay involvement 1989-98 Transition and Growth - worship at College of Dupage and Batavia Rd property purchased 1999-2007 Beyond Ourselves - new building is completed Immanuel greets the community and calls a new pastor, Mateen Elass 2007-2008 New Opportunities - as Immanuel looks for a new senior pastor Immanuel encounters new challenges and opportunities. After a year's search Immanuel calls Rev. George A. Garrison as Senior Pastor.

In those years, the congregation belonged to the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC). Over time, differences developed over the participation of laity, un-ordained women and men, in leadership and worship. The elders sought orderly change and greater flexibility within the OPC, but without success. After much discussion and prayer, the church voted in 1989 to form a new Presbyterian and Reformed congregation. While a core of Bethel friends remained with the OPC, some 250 members, including the senior pastor Robert Harvey and the entire board of elders, chose, in obedience to God's calling, to build a new congregation.

That Congregation chose the name of Immanuel Presbyterian Church and affiliated with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC), a young, small denomination. The EPC has proved to be a good fit for Immanuel, for it seeks to combine evangelical fervor with a commitment to Reformed faith and practice. The EPC is the only conservative Presbyterian body in the United States that permits the ordindation of women to all offices of the church. It also maintains a worldwide mission effort aimed at underevangelized countries, particularly Muslim-dominated cultures.

Until the congregation moved to its new facility in Warrenville in 1999, church services and Christian education took place at the College of DuPage (COD) McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn. Immanuel enjoyed being on the COD's campus for almost a decade. During those years, the congregation helped support the birth of another church—Parkwood Community Church started by and for second-generation Asian-Americans—and actively supported the InterVarsity chapter on campus.

The decision to settle in Warrenville was made in 1992, when the congregation purchased five acres at the corner of Batavia and Williams Roads. Construction of a $1.7 million bulding began in early 1998 providing a 400 seat sanctuary, 14 classrooms, nursery space for 15-20 infants and toddlers, fellowship room for 200 and a third-floor office area. In 2005, with the purchase of an adjoining property nearly 4 acres were added.

Warrenville, a 100-year old community incorporated in 1967, is a western suburb of Chicago. It has a population of over 13,000 residents and is located along the Ronald Reagan (East-West) Tollway adjacent to Wheaton and Naperville, the second largest city in the state. Warrenville is also near Fermilab, an advanced research laboratory operated by the federal government. The city is several miles east of the Fox Valley, where suburban growth has been phenomenal during the last two decades. Since our arrival, Immanuel has worked to become active in the local ministerial association and Warrenville Youth and Family Services, a church-sponsored social service agency.

Immanuel has attracted people because of its distinctives, which include:

a theological commitment to the Reformed and Presbyterian heritage a sense of reverence in God's presence in corporate worship partcipation of persons of all ages in worship congregational participation in mission trips involvement with community needs, such as families in crisis growing interest in spiritual formation and disciplines

stimulating adult education classes focus on training children in Christian faith strong family-based youth ministry active encouragement of women in leadership social activities geared to families encouragement of the arts in all aspects of church life