On June 2, 1968 the congregations of St. John’s United Church of Christ and Cherokee Heights Presbyterian Church merged to form one congregation known as Cherokee Park United Church. Today members of Cherokee Park United Church are considered members of both the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The congregation supports mission programs of the two denominations on a 50/50 basis

Cherokee Heights Presbyterian Church began as a Sunday School Mission of the Goodrich Ave. Presbyterian Church on November 15, 1908. The Mission was organized as a church congregation on September 27, 1912 and chose the name of the “Grand View Heights Presbyterian Church”. The Chapel, which is the North part of the present building, was erected in 1914. In 1921 the name of the church was changed to “Cherokee Heights Presbyterian Church”. The building was enlarged to its present size in 1928.

The St. John’s Church was organized in January 25, 1920, as the “St. John’s Evangelical Church of St. Paul.” The property on the corner of King Street and Orleans was purchased from the Methodist Church in that same year. The St. John’s church became a part of the United Church of Christ in 1963 as the result of the merger of the Evangelical Reformed Church with the Congregational Christians at the national level. Rev. Martin Albrecht served the St. John’s Church for nearly half of its first 48 years, and was the interim pastor for Cherokee Park United Church when St. John’s and Cherokee Heights merged.

Cherokee Park United Church worships in the former Cherokee Heights Presbyterian building, continuing the long-standing commitment of both predecessor congregations in service to the West Side community and to the wider world. Cherokee also has a history of sharing its space with other congregations as well as community groups. Presently three other congregations worship at Cherokee, Beyond Walls Ministries (a Spanish Speaking Pentecostal congregation) and New Life Assembly (also Pentecostal) and the St. Paul Mennonite Fellowship. In addition Youth Farm, and a neighborhood Girl Scout troop use the space on a regular basis.

Learn more about United Church of Christ History
Learn more about Presbyterian Church (USA) History