The historic Ridgefield/Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church is welcoming Tree of Life UU Congregation to share its facilities, TOLUUC will worship in the modern addition on the right at the same time the host holds their service in the sanctuary of the old church.
Two of the oldest congregation in McHenry County will share space and fellowship starting this Sunday, May 10 at 10 am at 8505 Church Street in Ridgefield. The Ridgefield/Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church (RCLPC) was organized in 1839 and has occupied their classic New England-style meeting house since 1872. The First Congregational Church of Woodstock was organized in 1866 and built a church near the Square. A new brick building on the same site opened in 1906. Through various name changes the congregation evolved and moved to McHenry in 2013 and became the Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation (TOLUUC).
When TOLUUC decided they needed to sell the McHenry property, the Congregation began a search for potential partners with which to share worship space. RCLPC was clearly the best match and was eager to move forward. The building in McHenry on Bull Valley Road will be continuing its role as a religious gathering place as Sikh group, Gurdwara Kukh Nivaran Sahib bought the building and anticipate holding their first service in August 2026.
At the last service in the McHenry building on April 26 members made a symbolic recessional behind the Chalice, pulpit banners, and other Congregational symbols.
The Congregation will also be joining the McHenry County Jewish Congregation (MCJC) who's former synagogue was located less than a mile away in Ridgefield and who shared TOLUUC's worship space for a year.
A banner at Ridgefield/Crystal Lake Presbyterian proclaims the new partnership.
This is not a merger or consolidation. TOLUUC service will be held in the Fellowship Hall while the RCLPC congregation will have their worship service upstairs in their sanctuary. We plan to gather after service to enjoy a combined fellowship hour with coffee and treats. While Tree of Life, RCLPC and MCJC will all offer their own worship services, programs, identities, and governance we are looking forward to supporting each other around projects and causes we share in common.
Tree of Life's first service in the new facility this Sunday will celebrate the multi-congregational shared church building with Rev. Matthew Johnson, Congregational Life Consultant from UUA MidAmerica Region. Chaplain Dave Becker will officiate with an observance of Flower Communion, originated over 100 years ago in Czechoslovakia and cherished by UU congregations around the world, celebrating the beauty of our uniqueness and diversity, interconnectedness, life, and community. Members and friends are invited to bring a flower or two from their yard, garden, local florist, nearby field or store to share with all in the multigenerational ceremony. It will also commemorate Mother's Day.
After the service everyone is invited for a social hour shared by our new friends from Ridgefield/ Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church.
The service will be shared on Zoom. Join from Zoom Workplace app - Zoom or from your bowser.
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