Christ Church was founded in 1965 by Rev. Arthur and Gladys DeKruyter and a small group dedicated to creating “a church for the community” in the new Village of Oak Brook. The journey began in the DeKruyter’s basement, with services starting on Easter Sunday 1965, and soon moved to the gymnasium of Butler School.

In January 1968, with just 82 families, the congregation pledged $217,000–some members even took out second mortgages–to build a church to welcome the community. Despite an average attendance of only 450, they constructed a Sanctuary to hold 1,200, believing God had big plans for this church.

They were right. From the opening of the Sanctuary on Palm Sunday 1970, the church grew rapidly, grounded on “Six Pillars of Ministry”: strong preaching and teaching, excellent worship music, effective children and youth ministries, advanced communications, competent caregiving and mission outreach to a needy world.

In January 1997, Rev. DeKruyter retired, ushering in a fruitful “second season” under Rev. Dr. Daniel and Amy Meyer. Strategic initiatives renewed the church’s intergenerational character and expanded its global outreach. The original Six Pillars evolved into a commitment to “Worship, Grow, and Serve,” encompassing numerous ministries that impact thousands of lives.

The church celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2015 and soon after embarked on its most significant mission expansion since its founding. In 2018, a second location opened in Butterfield (formerly Downers Grove), alongside a major renovation and expansion of the Oak Brook campus. In 2019, Christ Church acquired the former Fountain of Life church in Lombard, relocating the Butterfield congregation to this seven-acre campus.

Today, Christ Church continues to thrive at its Oak Brook and Butterfield Corridor locations. We invite YOU to join us and help shape the next exciting era of Christ Church.