History

History

History of Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church

In the winter of 1992-93, Rev. James Bosgraf, regional home missionary of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, was made aware of the potential for beginning an Orthodox Presbyterian Church in the Orland Park area of Illinois. Letters were sent to a number of families whose names had been given to him as potential members. In response to their interest, a preliminary meeting was scheduled at Rest Haven Central for Monday, June 7, 1993.

The first worship service of Covenant Church was held in the cafeteria of Chicago Christian High School on October 3, 1993, under the leadership of Dr. Norman De Jong. Two years later, on April 9, 1995, we graduated from mission status and were organized as a particular church in the Orthodox Presbyterian denomination.

From our inception until October 1997, we held our worship services in the facilities of Chicago Christian High School in Palos Heights, IL. During 1997, we were able to negotiate the purchase of the property located at 9340 W. 147th Street in Orland Park, which we purchased from the Church of the Nazarene. After major renovations and untold hours of volunteer labor, we were able to occupy these facilities on January 25, 1998.

Dr. De Jong announced that he would retire from the active ministry in March 1998, and Search Committee was formed to seek a new pastor. On January 10, 1999, Rev. Wright accepted our call, and remains our pastor still.

From those humble beginnings to the present day, God’s faithfulness is evident through the work at Covenant Church. It is our prayer that you will find us a church committed to the plain and simple worship of God where His Word is read, preached, sung, prayed, and seen.