Where did Poplar Creek Church come from? (A brief history)

We are made to persist. That's how we find out who we are.
-- Tobias Wolff, 'In Pharaoh's Army'

Pastoral vision . . .

Pastor Mike and Betsy Pierce were serving in a church in Boulder, Colorado when the opportunity came to envision a new church in the Northwest suburbs. Together with Pastor Dave and Debbie McFadden, from Michigan, formed the whole team which planned, promoted and planted the new church.

The original hope was to create an independent, non-denomination fellowship that broadly embraced people on a journey of faith, leading them into life-long fellowship with God. Using telemarketing and mailing techniques the church saw it's birthday on September 30, 1990.

About a year later Pastor Darrel and Karen Malcom became part of the ministry on a part-time basis and have continued to be highly engaged in the life of Poplar Creek Church.

The McFaddens moved into counseling ministry in 1996, but Pastor Mike and Betsy stayed with the vision till the present time.

Pastor Rip and Kathy Jenkins joined the team in spring of 2004. They came as part of a merger of Poplar Creek with Celebration Church of Hanover Park.

For more personal information on our Pastors visit the Staff Page.

Where have we been?

Looking back on Poplar Creek history in approximately four-year time intervals, we see God growing His church.

Foundations (1990-1993)
The beginning of the church was framed through marketing techniques, phone canvassing and scrambling for a place to start. It was born of a vision from two church planting organizations and two families who came to the tri-village area with a dream.

Pastor Mike and Betsy Pierce, with their young children came in this pioneer phase and continue to lead the church today.

The early era was marked by various struggles:

• Logistics
• Getting a foothold in the community
• Securing initial funding needs

Initially we met in the gym of the Independence School and would occupy three other schools before our permanent home was realized.

Amazingly – many families joined in this vision and remained faithful to the task over the past 15 years.

II. Scaffolding (1993-1996)
As the church began to add more structure, there was a period of scaffolding - people who came to the church who would bring about a stronger, lasting body of believers.  When we look back, we see that most of the people who came on board during this period have moved on to other ministries. This is a natural development for a new church. This period culminated in moving into our first temporary worship space at the Aldi’s commercial plaza in Streamwood.

In the shopping center we were able to house worship services, children’s ministry and office operations. This was viewed as a short term solution, but gave us a much needed rest from the weekly setting up in the elementary gyms.

III. Infrastructure (1996-1999)
Poplar Creek Church got its second wind in this period. Systems matured, ministries flourished and solid leadership began to emerge. This era would see us move from Streamwood to the new Bartlett High School. We began to exert a stronger influence in Bartlett and our reputation in the community was solidified.

IV. Resourcing (1999-2002)
As we approached the new millennium the church began to soar. God provided for us to successfully purchased the 9 acres on Schick Road that would become our permanent church home.  We began using this property for community events, office administration and as a rallying point for our vision.  Many people became part of the church in this period as we were marshalling the resources for the big job that lay ahead.

V. The HeartPlace (2002-2006)
The HeartPlace capital campaign provided for a great dream to be realized.

The facility, made possible through the sacrificial gifts of those who participated in the campaign, was ready on November 1st, 2004. This Phase I facility is being used today to develop new ministries, promote community and celebrate God’s grace. 

Phase I was constructed as a future lobby that can be used as worship space in the interim. While the building is relatively small for our needs, it was a great step forward in the vision.

Since moving into this Phase I facility the congregation has more than doubled in size and meets in four weekend services: Saturday evening, two main services on Sunday morning and the Teen Service in the Matchbox on Sunday mornings.

God has been faithful and has grown His church in this place over the last fifteen years.