About Us

We believe that life is a journey, one best lived with good company. We come together regularly to explore and celebrate the ideas and values that give our lives meaning, to support one another through life’s ups and downs, to grow in accordance with our values, and to seek creative and collaborative ways to put those values into action.

It’s all about relationships with God and with each other.

Welcoming, nurturing and serving our community is Court Street UMC's mission. Much more than a catch phrase; it's a way of life and a commitment to putting God’s word into action.

We take an active and dynamic role in the Rockford community by reaching out to people seven days a week. Our mission is to serve both God and humanity. We invite you to join us in our volunteer efforts and to make a real difference in not only Rockford but in your own lives as well.

In 1851, twenty Methodists on Rockford's west side met on Sunday afternoons and Thursday evenings for prayer meetings in the home of James B. Skinner, a house which then stood on the southeast corner of Main and Mulberry Streets.

Meanwhile on Rockford’s east side, Sunday worship services were held at First Methodist Episcopal Church (now Centennial United Methodist Church). As the congregation quickly grew, its pastor suggested the formation of a west side church. His challenge accepted, Winnebago County records indicate that the Second Methodist Episcopal Church was officially organized in January 1852 with the following men listed as trustees: William J. Cole, James Taylor, Dr. Charles N. Andrews, Jonathan Hitchcock and James B. Skinner.

In January 1853, a lot located on the west side of Court Street near State Street was purchased, and the construction of the Second Methodist Episcopal Church began under architect John Austin’s supervision. During the construction period, worship services were held in Boyd's Hall, a room on the third floor of a stone building in the one hundred block of West State Street.

The new church building was dedicated in November 1854. An impressive brick structure trimmed in white, it was surrounded by a spacious lawn and a wrought iron fence. The total cost of the building and grounds was $7,000.

Its growth and community influence increasing, Court Street Church recognized the need of a building that met the educational & social needs of the congregation. Consequently in 1911, lots adjoining the north of the church were purchased at a cost of $10,000. Construction of the new unit began in 1915, with a dedication on April 1917.

Since its construction in 1887, no major changes altered the Court Street Church sanctuary. In November 1929, member architect A. Reyner Eastman designed a new chancel of even more reverence and beauty.

The bell tower was remodeled in 1941 to its present appearance with no other changes then made until 1961. During autumn of 1961, the church held a crusade asking for pledges to fulfill the first phase of a one-million-dollar expansion program.

The church purchased the lot north of the institutional wing, demolished the home on it, began constructing a new chapel and institutional building on June, 1962, and construction was completed in 1963. The chapel with its handsome cherry paneling and beautiful symbolic windows endowed the congregation with still another inspiring place in which to worship. The addition contained more educational rooms and various facilities for the music department.

APRIL 1969: CONGREGATION HOLDS EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE IN BURNED OUT CHURCH FOLLOWING ARSON FIRE

(Rockford Register Star)

The congregation pulled together and resolved to rebuild the sanctuary as it had been and reconstruction plans began. During this time, Sunday services were held at 8:30 in the chapel and at 10:45 in the Coronado Theater. Less than two years after the disastrous fire, the first service was held in the new sanctuary on Christmas Eve 1970. Lovelier than ever, it appeared almost as before; the subtle changes contributed not only to its beauty but to its functionality as well.

If vision, courage, ability and dedication were required in the early development of what is now Court Street United Methodist Church, it is obvious that the same traits were needed and prevalent during its dynamic history. We have been abundantly blessed, and still are, with ministers and members displaying these admirable attributes.

MARCH 18, 1969: FIREFIGHTERS FIGHT TO CONTAIN THE BLAZE. FIRE DAMAGE CHARRED THE SANCTUARY INCLUDING PRICELESS STAINED GLASS WINDOWS.

(Rockford Register Star)

Calvin Culpepper’s first spiritual milestone was when he was twelve years of age. A Baptist preacher made a formal invitation to "accept Jesus into your life as personal Savior." Calvin says: “For the first time, after hearing many invitations, this one seemed personal-- “Calvin, will you let me (JESUS) in?” He remembers trying to stay seated, but Jesus seemed so real to him that he stood up and walked to the altar, and said, “YES” to JESUS! He celebrated his conversion with a water baptism later that week which his mother witnessed.

Calvin’s next spiritual milestone was his marriage to Gwendolyn (Gwen) on November 19, 1975. Together they recommitted to Jesus Christ and to the life of the local Church. The couple made a prenuptial agreement to begin their married life on the solid foundation of faith. .

In 1993 at Mt. Pisgah UMC Calvin made a public profession of accepting the call to ministry as a License Pastor. Cal’s next pivotal milestones were the births of their three children, Caleb, Cambron, and Vine. Calvin’s first appointment as a Licensed Pastor was Mary Chaffin UMC Lebanon, TN.