First Spanish Christian Church of Chicago

12/02/2022

Services for Bill Perez will be held:
Wednesday, December 14th
1pm-3pm
Iglesia del Pacto Evangélico de Albany Park, 4516 N. Kedzie Ave

All are welcome to attend.

12/01/2022

Guillermo “Bill” Octavio Perez, 84, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 29, 2022.
He was born April 24, 1938, in Panama City, Panama to the late Dagoberto and Ligia Cecilia Perez. Bill was the eldest of 2 brothers (Abelardo “Abby” (RIP) & Dagoberto “Tin” Jr); sister-in-law Sonia and 1 adopted brother Vicente (RIP); father to Guillermo "Billy" O. Perez Jr & Kevin Perez; grandfather to Keith Perez; and uncle to Roberto, Edwardo, Fernando, & Sandra, and Audrey, Candice & Jorie. He spent the last 15 years by the side of his partner and friend, Concepcion “Connie” Razo, her children, and their families.
Bill’s many achievements started at a young age, graduating from both elementary and high school with honors, he was awarded a full college scholarship and thus made him the first of his family to migrate to the United States. He would go on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Math at Roosevelt University, Master of Science in Mathematics at DePaul University and over a span of 40 years, teach mathematics and computer courses to many students at various universities. Unrelenting and committed to his work, Bill was awarded the “Outstanding New US Citizen of 1973”, “1974 Outstanding Young Person” and the “1983 Hispanic Man of the Year”.
Never forgetting where he came from, Bill joined and participated in the Panamanian folkloric dance group which displayed his love and passion for his country Panama and from 1990 t0 1999, he would direct the Folkloric Dance group “Panama En Chicago”.
Over the years, Bill has played a vital role in growing the Latino electoral franchise in Chicago. His most profound accomplishment has been in voter registration and education. Working with the Chicago Election Board since the 1970’s, Bill built and maintained relations with scores of Latino leaders, and community organizations, from local chambers of commerce to the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute. He is recognized as the calm, professional spokesman on election matters in all Spanish-language media and was recognized and awarded the “2009 Latino Professional Leader of the Year”.
In 2019, on his 81st birthday, Bill’s many life achievements were also recognized in a resolution by the Mayor of Chicago and City Council of the City of Chicago, for his many personal and professional accomplishments and contributions to the city throughout his lifetime.
Bill will always be known for the remarkable suits and ties he wore every day, his captivating life stories, passion for numbers and sudoku puzzles, reading, love of dancing salsa, being an accomplished chess player, leader, and trail blazer to the Latino community, and for his love and devotion to those around him.

02/23/2022

02/15/2022

02/01/2022

It has been a very difficult year with the passing of my father Rev. Ruben Cruz and I wanted to share with this community what has/is happening with the church. I have served on the Board of Directors of the church for the past 15+ years. Over the last ten years, I have been very vocal on the need for a succession plan as my father aged. In 2019, working in conjunction with the Disciples of Christ Regional leadership and with my Father’s direction an interim minister was called. Unfortunately, a very small, yet vocal group refused to accept this change or propose any alternative to my father remaining as pastor. This eventually led to the interim pastor’s resignation. Covid then hit and the church shut down. Finally on May 12th of last year, my Father passed away.

I was raised to believe the church belongs to God and its people, and that the Christian’s role is to forward the gospel. Because of this, Nora Soto and I (the last remaining Board Members) have taken action to dissolve the First Spanish Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Chicago and donate all of its assets to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Illinois and Wisconsin. As part of this agreement, if the building is sold in the future, 25% of the sale will go to the creation of a scholarship fund for a LatinX Disciple’s seminary student in the name of our congregation.

I, along with many of you, were raised as Disciples. We attended Disciples summer camp, went to a Disciples of Christ College (Eureka). My Father was instrumental in starting the Disciples Obra Hispana (Spanish Ministry) and served on several Disciples National Boards, as did his twin sister, my aunt Miriam. My aunt Rebecca also served as Moderator of the Disciples Illinois and Wisconsin Region in the 90s. While this has been an incredibly difficult decision, I know this is what my family, and more importantly, what God wants us to do.

I want to thank all of my Church family for your understanding, prayers and support during this time. I plan on keeping this page open as a way to share memories and life-events within our community.

God Bless You,
Jose Cruz

11/23/2019

Preparing packages for the homeless. "All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need." - Acts 2:44-45

10/01/2019

Because the Holiday season is the perfect time to demonstrate Christ love, on November 29th as a church we will be creating and distributing “Necessity Packages” for the homeless in the Chicago area. We are currently collecting the items listed below, that you can drop off on Sunday mornings. If you would like to donate to the event, you can visit our Go Fund Me page on the link below.
Frisas o Sabanas - Blankets or sheets
Agua embotellada - Bottled watter
Comida enlatada – Canned food
*Salchichas - sausages
*Potes de espaguetis - Spaghetti in a can
*Lata de frutas - Canned fruit
*Potes de sopa - Canned soup
Tamano de viaje - Travel sized items
*Pasta de dientes - Tooth paste
*Hand sanitizer
*Shampoo
*Crema de mano - hand cream
*Jabon liquid - liquid soap
Cepillo de dientes - Tooth brush
Toallas pequenas - small towels
Guantes de invierno - winter gloves
Gorros de invierno - winter hats
Bufantas - scarfs
Desodorante - Deodorant
Toallas sanitaria - Sanitary napkins
papel higienico - toilet paper
Chap lipstick - Chapstick
Cepillo de cabello - Hairbrush

Jose Maldonado Help The Homeless - Without Walls Ministries First Spanish Christian Church (FSC) was established to serve the spiritual needs our community an

07/15/2019

Join us this Sunday, July 21st at 11:00 am for a special service celebrating the life of Rebecca "Becky" Cruz.

04/30/2019

We ask you to join us in welcoming Rvda. Marilyn Oquendo Castro as Interim Pastor of First Spanish Christian Church of Chicago (FSCCC). Rvda. Oquendo moved to Chicago two years ago from Puerto Rico, where she obtained her Masters of Divinity from the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico. The Rvda. brings to FSCCC incredible experience, having served as lead pastor for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Santa Rosa III de Guaynabo and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Guaynabo Pueblo. She is joined by her husband Omar Hernández Bonilla and their two children, Jeriel Omar and Abdel Enrique.

Please join us this Sunday at 9:30 am for Bible Study and 11:00 am for Service, both led by Rvda. Oquendo.

04/29/2019

After 57 years as Lead Pastor, Reverend Ruben Cruz will be retiring. Save the date and join us at 11 a.m. on June 30th for a special service.
Details to follow.