About Us
Immanuel Baptist Church is a member of the North American Baptist Conference in Oak Brook Terrace, IL and part of the Upper Mississippi Region of the NAB. Our church has celebrated over 140 years in existence and has remained faithful and true to God's Word and the Gospel of Jesus. We are a community of believers desiring to carry out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission for all ages and all levels of spiritual maturity.Purpose Statement for Immanuel Baptist Church
Immanuel Baptist Church exists to exalt the Lord, evangelize the lost, equip the believer, and encourage each other.
Core Values
1. We accept the literal inerrant truth of the Bible as our final authority.
2. We are committed to love one another with the love of Christ.
3. We affirm our commitment to the Lord through regular prayer, worship and Bible study.
4. We are committed to supporting the church with our time, talents and resources.
5. We commit to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and developing committed followers of Christ.
Brief History of Immanuel Baptist Church
Immanuel Baptist Church traces its origin back to 1857 when a small group of Christians meeting in the German Baptist Church in Green Garden Township decided it was time to move out of the school house and build a church of their own.
On March 12, 1864 the new church was born with 10 charter members. Despite their small number, they purchased a small chapel on the corner of Schuyler Avenue and Bourbonnais Street in Kankakee for $800.
In 1889, though still small in number, they erected a new, larger building. This building was dedicated debt free during the church's 25th anniversary.
In 1917, the United States was involved in World War I and German speaking establishments of all kinds created a climate of suspicion. On January 1, 1918, the church changed its name from German Baptist to Immanuel Baptist Church.
During the decade of the 1920s a few noteworthy changes occurred. Marie Jansen, the last charter member passed away on November 2, 1924; the first Vacation Bible School was held during the summer of 1926; the church adopted its first constitution in 1929.
The old church and parsonage were sold in November of 1958. Ground was broken for a new facility on West Hawkins Street in June, 1959. In May, 1960 the church was completed at a cost of $300,000.
