United Presbyterian Church of Peoria, IL

Meet some of the people that make United Presbyterian Church what it is. Read their stories of why and how they are part of this church family. You may even read a story that sounds a lot like your own. We invite you to get to know us and we hope we will be able to get to know you.

MEET DUANE AND VIRLEEN

Fifty years ago we came to Peoria as a young married couple with a four year old son. After getting settled in a home and my husband starting his career it was time to find a church home.
With both of us having been raised in the Presbyterian tradition we visited all of the Presbyterian churches in the area. When we visited First Presbyterian (one of the two churches that became United Presbyterian in 2006) we knew we had found our church home. The people were so friendly and the old, old church very warm, indeed This church truly became the center of our spiritual, biblical and social life.

MEET ERIN

I’m generally someone who likes to help people and be involved in different activities, so I didn’t hesitate to get involved at United Presbyterian Church after becoming a member. Some of my favorite activities at UPC include music, drama, and missions. I get to tap into my love of music and drama by playing keyboard in one way up, UPC’s praise team, and by taking on roles in the Christmas dramas. Another one of my very favorite activities is missions, and, at UPC, I can serve the church and the community through mission opportunities.

MEET CHRIS AND JENNIFER

In 2005, my wife and I returned to central Illinois, and were expecting our first son, Alex. Neither of us attended church regularly as adults, but we were committed to finding a warm, nurturing environment where we could establish a sense of spirituality and community for our growing family.
We tried other churches, but none was the right fit. Then we found UPC. We met many friendly, “down-to-earth” people who made us feel welcome, but not pressured. We enjoyed the mix of contemporary and traditional elements in the services, as well as the congregation’s diversity. We found the Pastors’ messages connected with us on both intellectual and spiritual levels, and were relevant to everyday life.