First United Methodist Church received the Downers Grove Historical Society's 2026 Historic Site of the Year plaque on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 1032 Maple Ave.

Worshippers stayed after the morning service for the presentation, the Historical Society said in a recap posted Oct. 6. The celebration then moved to the church parlor, where guests gathered over cookies and lemonade to view the commemorative plaque up close.

The honor recognizes the village's oldest organized congregation. Founded in 1836, the church predates Downers Grove's incorporation.

The Rev. Stephen Beggs, a circuit rider, organized the first meetings for families who found the seven-mile trip to Cass Church too far, especially in winter, Shaw Local reported. Early members gathered in a log home before building their first church in 1852 on land donated by Henry Carpenter.

That building burned in 1879.

A replacement went up for $5,000, featuring stained glass windows and the first spire in Downers Grove. A third building, known as the "Welcome Church," followed in 1894 at a cost of $10,000 to serve a growing congregation.

The current sanctuary was completed in 1928, funded by nearly $200,000 in donations and pledges. Oak pews and the tower bell from the Welcome Church were moved into the new building and remain in use. Originally called the Methodist Episcopal Church, the congregation adopted its current name in 1969.

"We are honoring the church itself, not the building," Downers Grove Historical Society board member and local historian Lois Sterba told Shaw Local ahead of the ceremony.

The congregation has worshipped across four different structures over 190 years.

Andrea Kinsella, a Historical Society board member and multi-generational congregant, told Shaw Local the society looks for sites that represent the community.

The Historical Society has presented the award annually since 1997. Last year's honoree was the Downers Grove Carnegie Library. The society's profile page for the church includes additional history drawn from a 175th anniversary booklet the congregation published in 2011.