Our Story

OUR HISTORY


In September 1996, twenty families from First Congregational United Church of Christ in downtown Naperville shared a vision of HOPE. With the encouragement of the national and regional United Church of Christ, HOPE United Church of Christ - dedicated to embracing all people - was formed.

  

HOPE UCC was publicly launched on Easter 1998 with dynamic worship, interactive children’s ministries, youth programming, and a multitude of mission projects, setting the stage for a future of mission trips, youth camps, community outreach, and just plain fun.

 

In June of 2011, HOPE UCC moved into a new location on Quincy Avenue in Naperville.  This location allows the congregation  full access to dedicated space throughout the week for worship and other programs. It is a place that we are proud to call home.

united church of christ

The United Church of Christ is more than 5,100 churches an 1 million members across the U.S. brought together by a love of Christ and a desire for faithful action. The beliefs of the United Church of Christ weave together God's message of hope and extravagant welcome with action for justice and peace. We proudly embrace a historical faith tradition that pushes us to live out our faith. This faith-in-action has lead to our denomination being a church of many "firsts" including:

 

  • The first historically white church to ordain an African-American man,
  • The first church in modern times to ordain a woman,
  • The first church to ordain an openly gay man and lesbian woman,
  • The first church to affirm the right of same-gender couples to marry,
  • The first church to ordain openly trans* men and women

 

Our ancestors were also on the forefront of the anti-slavery movement and the Civil Rights movement. We are proud of our historical faith that places high demands upon us for action toward justice and peace.

 

Today, we continue to change lives throughout the world through social and personal change. We work alongside more than 200 mission partners around the world, we fight injustice in the United States and abroad, we instill youth and young members with a vision for justice and peace, we sustain and develop church leaders, pastors, and our local churches that live their faith in exciting new ways.

 

We believe in an all-loving, inclusive, God, who is still speaking to us today. We are a church that welcomes and accepts everyone as they are, seeking to nourish both your mind and your soul.


Our faith is 2,000 years old. Our thinking is not.

No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.

Click here to learn more about the United Church of Christ at www.ucc.org