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Your neighborhood United Methodist Church.
668 Graceland Ave. Des Plaines, IL 60016
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Get to know First Church
CELEBRATING OUR UNITY
A landmark church, a restored Art-Deco theatre, and a community talent show.
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The Des Plaines Theatre is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
In looking back through the decades, it was discovered that the theatre and First Church were linked in an unusual story of unity.
The Des Plaines Theatre, in downtown Des Plaines
First Church, located just off the downtown area. (Also known as The 1st United Methodist Church)
It was the Spring of 1951.
The Methodists had just started construction of a new church building at the corner of Graceland and Prairie Avenues. Easter Sunday was just weeks away, and a great crowd of almost 1,000 attendees was expected on that day.
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How would the congregation celebrate Easter when they had no building?
Help came from the Des Plaines Theater. The Methodists were invited to use the theatre’s large auditorium for Easter Sunday.
And, they continued to worship in the theatre for five consecutive Easters, while the new building was under construction.