Baker Memorial United Methodist Church Celebrates 175 Years in St. Charles

Baker Memorial United Methodist Church marks 175 years in St. Charles on July 29 with an open house celebration.

The church invites the public to join the celebration during an open house from 2:30-6 p.m. Guided tours of the building, which are expected to last about an hour, will be offered and the church’s musical groups will perform a series of mini-concerts from 4-4:45 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Just west of the Fox River, the Gothic structure of Baker Memorial United Methodist Church towers above Main Street between Third and Fourth avenues. The church exterior is marked by the a rose window of patterned stained glass and three stone crosses on the lawn.

According to information provided by church officials Baker Memorial United Methodist Church began in 1837, when Fox Valley Circuit Rider and Methodist Minister John Clark gatheried area worshipers together. Services were originally held in a schoolhouse at Fourth and Cedar avenues. In 1842 a church site was obtained at the corner of Fifth and Walnut avenues, a gift of area citizens. A small stone church was built by public subscription. 

In 1908 a new structure was built, and a few years later a pipe organ was installed.

In 1954 Col. Edward J. Baker paid for the construction of the current church building. The new building, with a price tag of $1.25 million, was called “A great memorial … an enduring, exquisite cathedral where everyone might ponder the unbreakable ties of love.”

Throughout the summer the public can enjoy free concerts in the church sanctuary every Friday from noon-12:30 p.m. through Aug. 24.