Billy Graham's Pulpit ... Back in Western Springs

Billy Graham, who has preached to more people than perhaps any other human being, began his ministerial career shortly after graduating from nearby Wheaton College. In 1943, he became pastor of the fledgling Village Church in Western Springs. At that time, the church was in the lower level of today’s structure, located at 4475 Wolf Road.

While the original church did not have an impressive sanctuary, it became home to a popular radio program entitled “Songs in the Night”. Broadcast every Sunday evening between 10:15 and 11 p.m. on Chicago station WCFL, the program featured live gospel music and was targeted to young people. It quickly expanded to 30 or more Midwest stations.

Due to the programs’ popularity, Graham was asked to become vice president of ”Youth for Christ”. And, as they say, the rest is history. Graham left his pastorate and began to hold evangelistic rallies across the country. By 1957, Graham was usually holding three to five crusades a year. With his broad, universal appeal, it’s no wonder that he eventually became a spiritual advisor to virtually every U.S. President.

In 1980, the $13.5 million Billy Graham Center was dedicated at his alma mater, Wheaton College. Part of the museum collection was Graham’s first pulpit, which had been donated by the Western Springs Baptist Church. However, as the museum’s collection grew, the original pulpit was placed in its off-exhibit area. This was because the museum had subsequently acquired a pulpit that Graham used in all of his famous world-wide crusades.

In 2013, the museum approached the Western Springs Historical Society and asked whether it would be interested in adding the pulpit to its collection. The answer was an immediate “Yes!”.

With the recent re-opening of the historic Water Tower Museum, the Society added a temporary exhibit dedicated to Billy Graham. And, central to that exhibit was his original pulpit, which may now be viewed any Saturday (except May 23) between 10 a.m. and Noon, or by special appointment. Admission is free.

Upon the conclusion of this temporary exhibit, the pulpit will be returned to the Western Springs Baptist Church for inclusion in its own archives.

Each week, the Western Springs Historical Society presents a “Blast from the Past”. To view prior stories, visit us at www.westernspringshistory.org or just click on the author’s name shown above.