About Us

Our Beliefs

Each of us has been created by God, in love, endowing us with freedom, dignity and sacred worth.

"When we set the table, everyone has a place."

FCCW is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment, built on a foundation of mutual respect and a shared promise of belonging. Our doors are open to everyone, and by that we mean all ages, genders, races, ethnicities, physical or mental disabilities and sexual orientations. In our diversity, we are richer than we could ever be alone.

As part of the UCC, we are recognized as one of the most welcoming and affirming Christian denominations, celebrating same sex marriages since 2005 and ordaining LGBTQ+ ministers since 1972.

"Your thoughts matter here."

We welcome the insights of science and reason with the wisdom found in stories from sacred texts. We wrestle with Scripture, taking into account the history and background in which it was written.

We believe God is still Speaking. God speaks in many ways, not only through Scripture, but also through music, art and history. We embrace what is sacred wherever we discover it. We believe that the Living God always reserves the right to surprise us.

Envisioning Our Future

Beginning in the fall of 2022, along with the guidance and care of our then interim pastor, the Rev. Lark Hapke, members of our congregation began meeting in groups small and large—gathering in our living rooms, at church, and remotely. Together, we examined our history and explored the cultural shifts in how individuals and families experience the sacred.

As a result of this deep reflection and discernment, we have called a new pastor in 2025. With renewed energy and vision, we are embracing the future while honoring our rich traditions.

We are creating worship experiences that connect the wisdom of our past with sermons and rituals that speak to our lives today. Our musical programming is expanding, recognizing the vitality of music as a pathway to God. And we are re-dedicating ourselves to social justice and service-focused work, strengthening our connections with our neighbors and the wider world.

With gratitude for where we have been and excitement for where we are headed, we step forward in faith together with our new Senior Pastor, Mary Katherine Herbig.

Meet Our Team

Our dedicated team of leaders and staff are committed to guiding our congregation with wisdom and care. Each member brings unique talents and a shared passion for our mission.

Reverend Mary Herbig

Senior Pastor

"Our church is a place where everyone belongs, where we can learn, grow, and be equipped to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God."

Katherine Hughes

Interim Music Director

"Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life, bringing peace, abolishing strife." -KG

Devin McCue, B.A., M.A.

Church Administrator

"Being able to work and be part of something bigger than myself is the best of both worlds."

Our Journey Through the Years

Explore the key milestones that have shaped the First Congregational Church of Wilmette into the vibrant community it is today.

1875–1904

1875: Under the direction of Thomas M. Brooks, Wilmette neighbors organized and held business and social meetings in their home with eighteen charter members. The first pastor was the Rev. Edward P. Wheeler.

1880–1882: Services were held in the frame school building which is now Central School at the corner of Central and Tenth Streets. Worship was led by the Rev. Samuel Kidder.

May, 1882: The church called to the pastorate the Reverend J.H. Parr, who set to work to secure a church house.

September, 1883: A new building on Eleventh Street was dedicated to the service of God and the use of the congregation.

1894: The church was barely ten years old when the congregation had grown to one hundred members. A decision had to be made whether to enlarge the building or build a new structure.

1904: Ground for our current building was broken by Warren Beardsley Gates, on June 5, 1904.

1940–1953

FCCW was heavily involved in the post-WW2 European Resettlement Program. Between 1948–1952, nearly 400,000 European refugees were resettled in the U.S. Voluntary agencies, including places of worship, played a crucial role in providing assistance, including finding employment, housing and navigating life in a new country.

1953: The Gates House at 729 Eleventh St., Wilmette, was purchased by the church. Originally built as a family residence in 1908, members of the church opened it as a drop-in center for teens.

1962–1977

1962–1969: The Reverend Buckner Coe served as minister. Best known for being outspoken on peace and social justice issues, Rev. Coe marched with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, was a leader in the 1965 Chicago North Shore Summer Project for fair housing and led anti-Viet Nam War campaigns in Chicago.

1969: Gates House formally opened under the new name: Wilmette Youth Outreach Center.

1977: FCCW sold the Gates House property. The congregation later formed a group to finance Gates Manor, located next door to the church at 1135 Wilmette Ave. Gates Manor was the first residence for seniors on the North Shore and currently serves as a much needed affordable housing complex for seniors and income limited residents in the area.

1980–2003

1980: The Reverend Dr. Robert (Bob) Lee continued the church's deep commitment to social justice during his tenure as pastor. Rev. Lee was heavily involved with The Sanctuary Movement in churches during the 1980s.

1993–2003: The Reverend C. David Owens served as Senior Pastor. Owens believed the power of faith was not to be found at the pulpit or in the pastor, but with the people. During his tenure, he often engaged with the congregation by preaching on the sanctuary floor, questioning long held doctrine and encouraging active discussion. Another important part of his ministry was taking small groups of congregants and youth to the Holy Land on educational and spiritual pilgrimages.

2004–2021

2004: Reverend Stephanie Perdew was called as senior pastor in 2004, after the passing of the Rev. David Owens. Pastor Perdew brought her deep knowledge of Christian history into her sermons and was instrumental in fostering our inter-faith partnership with Congregation Sukkat Shalom.

2009–2010: Another church renovation was needed in order to further facilitate easy access for the handicapped and elderly. Additions included an elevator tower with its own entrance, a new roof over Pilgrim Hall, and a fully upgraded kitchen.

2022–2025

2022: The Rev. Lark Hapke serves as interim pastor.

2025: FCCW calls the Reverend Mary Herbig of the Central Union Church, Honolulu as Senior Pastor.

Memorial Garden / Courtyard

Prior to his passing in 1987, church member Harold Webb expressed hope that a memorial garden would be created on church grounds and that cremated ashes would be placed in the garden, providing a place of comfort and solace.

Two years later, in September of 1989, the FCCW Memorial Garden was formally dedicated. Harold Webb's cremains were the first to be scattered in this sacred space. Located on the east side of our building, the garden can be accessed through the entrance gate on 11th street, or inside the building from the library.

In 2015, the garden was given a fresh makeover. Improvements included new pavers, better drainage, a cedar trellis wall and the addition of another planting bed. An all-weather memorial bench and chairs were donated in 2023 in honor of Simon O'Donnell, a child of the church who passed away at the age of 23.

The garden and courtyard are designed as a place of quiet reflection to pay tribute, pray and connect with our loved ones. It's also a lovely spot to simply relax and enjoy the outdoors. You are welcome to visit and stay as long as you'd like!

For additional questions including information about internment, please contact our church administrator, Devin McCue at 847-251-6660.

Our Heritage