Hyde Park Presbyterian Church now United Church of Hyde Park
The Hyde Park Presbyterian Church - now the United Church of Hyde Park is the oldest church building in Hyde Park. It is located at 53rd Street and Blackstone Avenue. The structure was built by the Hyde Park Presbyterian Church in 1889, over the strenuous objection of a prominent member, namely, Paul Cornell.
In the beginning, Paul Cornell developed a village called Hyde Park out of barren, swampy land south of a larger town called Chicago. He donated a small plat of land and had built on it a small wood frame chapel for the purpose of housing services of Christian worship. The Hyde Park Presbyterian Church was formally organized in May, 1860, and continued to worship in the wood chapel until 1869, when they moved into a handsome stone church which the congregation built at 53rd and Blackstone.
A “Manse” is a house occupied by a Presbyterian Minister
The Trustees Paul Cornell, George Bogue, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, was a charter member of Hyde Park Presbyterian Church, transferring his membership from North East Congregational of Chicago on May 6, 1860.
Walter C. Nelson joined on profession of faith on March 5, 1874. He lived at 5120 Harper and was a prominent real estate developer. He built several multiple unit buildings, including those at 5701-09 Kenwood, 5723-27 Kenwood, 5722-28 Dorchester and 1355-61 East 57th Street.
John C. Welling and his wife, Charlotte, transferred membership from Second Presbyterian of Chicago on March 1, 1878. He was a vice president of the Illinois Central Railroad, and lived at 4950 Greenwood.
William C. Ott and his wife, Nancy, joined the church on June 4, 1880, on transfer from Unjon Park Congregational in Chicago. They lived at 5146 Harper. It is recorded that Mr. Ott always carved the turkey at church dinners.
Leslie Lewis transferred from First Presbyterian of Waukegan, Illinois, on February 29, 1884. He lived at 5605 Dorchester and was Superintendent of the Hyde Park Schools. In later years, after annexation, he was principal of Kozminski School until his retirement. He later joined the South Park Congregational Church and was responsible for the preservation of historic records of that church.
William H. Ray and his wife, Martha H., also transferred from First Presbyterian of Waukegan on February 29, 1884. He was principal of Hyde Park High School until his death on July 30, 1889, at age 31. A large stained glass window, inscribed "Service" was placed in the new fellowship hall in his memory. The elementary school at 56th and Kimbark is named for him.
Henry H. Belfield and his wife, Anne, were transferred from Third Presbyterian of Chicago on October 19, 1884. He was on the faculty of the University of Chicago in later years and the
Laboratory School's Belfield Hall bears his name. He lived in the duplex at 5726-28 Blackstone.
John B. Lord and his wife, Annie E., also transferred from Third Presbyterian of Chicago, on November 30, 1886. They lived at 4857 Greenwood. He was president of Ayer and Lord Tie Company, which manufactured railroad ties.
Robert Stuart joined the church on June 5, 1887. He lived at 5206 Dorchester.
Source: Hyde Park Historical Society Newsletter, March 1989 written by Carol Bradford