Celebrating 50 years this weekend, Joliet church is seeing a resurgence in growth

JOLIET – Ken McGee of Plainfield remembers when Crystal Lawns Church of the Nazarene opened 50 years ago.

He was 14.

But, at the time, McGee was less interested in the new church than he was in a certain girl, whom he later married at Crystal Lawns.

Ken and Sheila McGee first met in Sunday school at the First Church of the Nazarene in Joliet, which was located on Cass Street at the time.

“She sat in the front row,” Ken said. “The boys sat in the back row.”

But when Crystal Lawns opened as a church plant of the downtown church, Ken’s family, as well as Sheila’s family, made the move. Ken said he participated in an active teen group, led by a man who was in his 50s.

“He played ball with us, and he opened up his house for a lot of these teen group meetings,” Ken said, adding with a grin, “They had ping pong.”

During the years Ken and Sheila were raising their family, they attended a Nazarene church in Chicago that was larger and offered a variety of sports activities for kids.

But Ken and Sheila maintained their ties with Crystal Lawns and came back full time about 10 years ago, Ken said. They help with many of the church’s events and ministries. Ken has archived hundreds of photos for this weekend’s 50th anniversary celebration.

Through the years, Ken said Crystal Lawn’s attendance rose to a high of 200 (with three buses transporting children to church) and a low of 20 in 2011, but he said he felt Crystal Lawns could grow again.

“A lot of times, we put limits on what God is able to do,” Ken said. “And we shouldn’t.”

Even the music ministry suffered, although now Crystal Lawns has a full praise band with Ken “banging around on the drums,” he said.

“For a while, it was just the piano and myself,” Ken said.

But in the past few years, attendance and participation both have soared. Ken credits the current pastor, Tyler Hubbell, and Tyler’s wife, Liz Hubbell, for the growth.

But Tyler also gives credit to Crystal Lawns’ youth pastor, Jake Booher, as well as Jake’s wife, Maddie Booher.

Renewal for Crystal Lawns

Tyler, 25, came to Crystal Lawns nearly three years ago, “right out of Olivet,” Ken said, referring to Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, where Tyler attended school.

Crystal Lawns was Tyler’s first full-time pastor position. He didn’t know what to expect but was excited about the possibilities. He shared his vision was Ken and Sheila, who took Tyler out to dinner during his first week at the church.

Pastoring a small congregation brought challenges Tyler hadn’t anticipated.

“For instance, when I was first here, I watched a lot of YouTube videos about how to fix things around the building,” Tyler said. “There was no one available to do those things.”

But wanting “to be faithful in what God called him to do,” Tyler added a family night on Thursday night that includes games, crafts and music for kids in preschool through sixth grade; a teen youth group; small groups of Bible study for adults; and a nursery staffed by workers who are background-checked and child-safety approved.

People responded to Tyler’s efforts to draw people in. Thursday night attendance averages 70, Tyler said, and that includes folks outside the church.

About 55 people attend Sunday morning worship services. Tyler anticipates that number will be closer to 95 this Sunday. He’s anticipating the day it reaches 100.

“I look at our church and think, ‘How cool would it be if there would be a need for another church in Plainfield or wherever?’ ” Tyler said. “We are beginning to think along those lines.”

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IF YOU GO

WHAT: Singspiration

WHEN: 6 p.m. April 29

WHERE: Crystal Lawns Church of the Nazarene, 2424 Caton Farm Road, Joliet

ETC: A concert of the various music sung at the church. Hymns by special singers connected with the church. Congregational singing. Public invited.

INFORMATION: Call 815-436-3380 or visit clnaz.org.

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IF YOU GO

WHAT: 50th Anniversary Celebration

WHEN: 10 a.m. April 30

WHERE: Crystal Lawns Church of the Nazarene, 2424 Caton Farm Road, Joliet

ETC: Presentation by District Superintendent Larry McKain. Potluck. Public invited.

INFORMATION: Call 815-436-3380 or visit clnaz.org.