It is with sadness of heart that we have come to the final chapter of the 10th & Rockford congregation of the Lord’s Church.
This work began in 1916 with a few souls meeting in the Whittier Elementary School for worship services. Throughout the first few years there were more meeting location changes and the membership grew to the point that in 1922 the current property location was purchased. A new brick building was erected on the property in 1933.
Throughout the congregation’s 107-year history there have been many structural changes to the building, additional property purchases, some 17 sound gospel preachers, and thousands of souls added to the kingdom of our Lord. But as we leave this location, we should not be overly sorrowful about our departure, for as the Psalmist wrote: “weeping may come for a night but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5) Just as the children of Israel had great sorrow as they were carried off into Babylonian captivity, they were able to rejoice in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah as they returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt the city of Jerusalem and the temple. Likewise, God has not abandoned His people of the 10th & Rockford church but has presented a new opportunity to grow our spirits and prosper in His work as we merge with 29th & Yale congregation and become the new Midtown Church of Christ.
We, the elders, challenge ourselves and all the members to put our hearts and hands to this work as in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah in rebuilding the city and the temple and bring a multitude of new souls into the wonderful Kingdom of God.
We are looking forward to many more years of labor for our Lord with our new fellow members and, as always, we give thanks to God for opening up this new door of service.
Elders, 10th & Rockford Church of Christ