History

   In the winter of 1992–93, Rev. James Bosgraf, Regional Home Missionary of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, was made aware of the potential for beginning an Orthodox Presbyterian Church in the Tinley Park, Palos Heights, and Orland Park area of Illinois. Letters were sent to several families whose names had been given to him as potential members. In response to their interest, a preliminary meeting was scheduled at Rest Haven Central for Monday, June 7, 1993. Mr. Bosgraf also invited Dr. Norman De Jong, who had just completed ministerial training at Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Dr. De Jong had been a Christian school administrator and a college professor and was in his late fifties but felt called to the ministry. When the families expressed an interest in forming a church under Dr. De Jong’s leadership, a call was arranged through the Session of Bethel Presbyterian Church in Wheaton, IL.

   The first worship service of Covenant Church was held in the cafeteria of Chicago Christian High School on October 3, 1993. A Steering Committee had already been elected, consisting of Dr. De Jong as moderator, three men acting as elders, and three men acting as deacons. Bethel Presbyterian Church in Wheaton consented to be the “mother” church, giving formal “mission status” within the OPC as of July 28, 1993. All major decisions were overseen by their Session, including the interviewing of applicants for membership and the supervision of the sacraments.

   On April 9, 1995, Covenant graduated from mission status and was organized as a particular church in the Orthodox Presbyterian denomination. Since he had sustained all the examinations and had been ordained by the Presbytery, Dr. De Jong was now permitted to be called as the pastor.

   From the time of our inception until October 1997, our worship services were held in the facilities of Chicago Christian High School in Palos Heights, IL. During 1997, the church building located at 9340 W. 147^th Street in Orland Park was purchased from the Church of the Nazarene. After major renovations and untold hours of volunteer labor, these facilities were able to be occupied on January 25, 1998.

   After the first pastor, Dr. Norman De Jong, announced that he would retire from the active ministry in March of 1998, a Search Committee was formed to seek a new pastor. Dr. Richard Venema, a retired Christian Reformed Church pastor who became a member of the OPC, was hired to be the interim pastor for two months. After many months of correspondence, listening to sermon tapes and phone calls, the Search Committee invited Rev. Iain Wright from Scotland to meet the council members and preach both services on December 20, 1998. There was a fellowship dinner after the morning service, and a question-and-answer session with Iain and his wife, Louise. The following Sunday, the congregation voted to call him as the new pastor. On January 10, 1999, Rev. Wright accepted the call. Plans were immediately developed to build a manse on the vacant lot east of the parking lot. Again, many members of the congregation volunteered their time, labor, and materials to build a home for the new pastor and family. Reverend Iain Wright preached his first sermon as the new pastor on May 30, 1999. His installation service was held on June 13, 1999. Reverend Iain, his wife Louise, and their children Race, Jonathan, Alastair, and Rebecca moved into their new home on June 18, 1999.

   In August of 2024, Rev. Wright announced he would retire no later than May 31, 2026. A retirement party was held for Rev. Wright on May 15, 2026, at Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park, honoring his 27 years of faithful service. He preached his last sermon at Covenant on May 31.

   After Rev. Wright announced his upcoming retirement, another Search Committee was formed. Again, many months of correspondence, listening to sermons (online this time!), and phone calls went by, but with no prospects. In December of 2025, the committee learned of Beacon Light CRC church in Gary, IN, that had at one time considered joining the OPC and had an OPC-stated supply pastor, Rev. Johnathan Allen. Since this church decided to remain in the CRC, Rev. Allen needed to look for a call within the OPC. In God’s providence, this was perfect timing. He was invited to preach at the morning service and teach Sunday School on February 8, 2026, and preach both services on February 15, with a fellowship dinner after the morning worship service. A special congregational meeting was called for March 1, 2026, following the morning service, to vote on extending a call to Rev. Johnathan Allen as the next pastor, which passed overwhelmingly. He accepted immediately. Rev. Allen, his wife Monica, and their 5 children, Parker, Nolan, Avery, Juniper, and Irene, moved into the manse on June 1. Rev. Allen was away at General Assembly on June 7, but began his ministry at Covenant on June 14, with his installation being held on June 19, 2026.

   From those humble beginnings to the present day, God’s faithfulness is evident through the work at Covenant Church. It is our prayer that you will find us a church committed to the plain and simple worship of God where His Word is read, preached, sung, prayed, and seen.