History

Immanuel began in the late 1950s, when Bethel Presbyterian Church organized near the Wheaton College campus. As a "campus church," it attracted students and faculty with its innovative worship, excellent preaching, and willingness to discuss contemporary issues--traits that are still hallmarks of Immanuel. By 1970, Bethel completed a new church building on Naperville Road in south Wheaton for its roughly 300 members.

In those years, Bethel belonged to the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC). Over time, differences developed within the congregation over the participation of laity (un-ordained men and, especially, women) in leadership and worship. The elders sought orderly change and greater flexibility within the OPC, but without success. So, after much discussion and prayer, the church voted in 1989 to form a new Presbyterian and Reformed congregation. While a core of Bethel friends remained with the OPC, another 250 members, along with the senior pastor, Robert Harvey, and the entire board of elders, chose, in obedience to God's calling, to form a new congregation.

Immanuel moved to its current location in Warrenville in 1999. Since our arrival, Immanuel has worked to become active in the local ministerial association and Warrenville Youth and Family Services, a church-sponsored social service agency.