Father Richard Winkler leads the Episcopal mission congregation later named “Church of the Resurrection” in its first worship service. Throughout the 1950s and 60s, Father Winkler becomes a significant figure in the charismatic renewal movement.

Father William Beasley, fresh from mission work in Costa Rica, is dispatched to salvage a struggling Rez.

Under his vision and obedience to the movement of the Holy Spirit, Rez attracts a generation of Wheaton College students hungry for Word and Sacrament. The Lord also brings a groundswell of men and women, searching for the healing that Word and Sacrament bring.

Healing of mind, body and soul is central to the ministry of Rez, making it clear that movements underway within the Episcopal Church USA will not support her mission. Church of the Resurrection disassociates from ECUSA and loses her building and land. She becomes a mobile church.

Father Stewart Ruch III, having come to Church of the Resurrection on Palm Sunday eleven years earlier and now ordained, becomes our rector.

Responding to the growing crisis of faith and leadership within the Episcopal Church, Anglican Archbishops from Asia and Africa consecrate “missionary bishops” to go back to the United States as the Anglican Mission in America. Church of the Resurrection joins this movement of mission, and comes under the oversight of Rwandan Archbishop Kolini.

Weekly attendance at Glenbard West tops 700. Rez expands its mission by moving to two services. Lay-leaders begin to pray and search for a permanent Resurrection home. They visit many leaky warehouses and barren tracts of roadside land.

A four-year-old child from our congregation spots the “For Sale” sign along Purnell Road that leads us to the 21-acre lot tucked back between Roosevelt and Purnell. “And a little child shall lead them.” Isaiah 11:6

Rez enters a season of reflection, repentance, and prayer. She knows that the gift of land is an unmerited honor, calling her to unprecedented responsibility.