Second
Presbyterian
Church

Second Presbyterian Church was organized June 3, 1855, by a group of 34 dissidents from the First Presbyterian and Congregational Churches in Bloomington, IL. It was a by-product of the divisive issue of slavery and opposition to slavery's proposed expansion.

Community concern and service has highlighted its 152-year history. Being the "Heart of Christ in the Heart of the Community" - backed by "prayer, humility and the grace of God" - was adopted as the church slogan in February 2002. Dr. Robert Youngs had urged in 1969 that Second Pres be such a stimulant because "religion is needed where its moral impact counts most." He said religion should be as "indispensable as the air we breathe."

Rev. John Dinsmore's 21-year pastorate from 1870 - 1891 set an early pattern for church growth (from 300 to 700 members) and service with $164,000 dispensed for missionary and charitable purposes. Dinsmore was held in high esteem as a spirited community leader and contributor.

Construction of a $70,000 church replaced the enlarged 1857 church in 1896 under Rev. W. P. Kane's leadership. The new structure was used 107 years before being razed in 2004 to make room for today's sanctuary, which opened in 2007.

Second Pres escaped the devastating flames of the June 19, 1900, wind-driven blaze that left stubs of burned-out buildings strewn across five blocks of downtown Bloomington. But Rev. Henry Denlinger, whose motto was "a living Christ," urged church members to pray daily as the church grew with the downtown's rebuilding.

Participation in a 1908 Billy Sunday revival, formation of a west side Presbyterian Church in 1918 and purchase of the church's first pipe organ in 1921 capped early 20th century achievements. The last two were achieved under Rev. Wm. Blake, who came to Second Pres as a 30-year-old. Construction of the Western Avenue Community Center and the merger of the First Congregational Church followed under Dr. Charles Tupper Baillie.

Rev. Harold "Doc" Martin's 32-year pastorate through 1962 brought Second Pres into national prominence as a praying church with emphasis on music, choirs, and active youth programs. Martin was Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in 1957 and played a member role in the denomination's 1958 merger of the Presbyterian Church in the United States with the United Presbyterian Church of North American forming the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Membership rose from 819 to 2,582 under Martin.

Rev. Philip D. Queen followed Youngs as senior pastor in February 1975. Major accomplishments in his 24-year pastorate included a record 2,787 members in 1978, a $406,000 sanctuary remodeling in 1981-83 and launching of long-range planning in 1986. It paved the way to site purchases and the 1994-96 construction of Fellowship Hall.

After Queen's 1999 resignation, the congregation forged ahead under interim Dr. Robert Anderson. Rev. Ted Pierce followed Anderson in March 2002. Pierce picked up the sanctuary building plans and launched a massive community outreach. The community's Compassion Center opened in the basement of Grace Hall in April 2004.

Interim Rev. Dr. Roane Deckert and the staff held a forgiving congregation together after Pierce's resignation in 2006. The congregation called and welcomed Dr. Charles B. "Chip" Hardwick, who began his pastorate on Sept. 4, 2007.