Our History

First Started in 1858

Our congregation began in 1858 when some women from the First Baptist Church began to hold prayer meetings in their homes. They believed that it might be well to plant a new church on the east side of Rockford. A Sunday School was started and a new church, the Second Baptist Church, was organized on July 27, 1858. This means that we have been in Rockford for quite a long time!

A lot at East State Street and N. Fifth Street was selected as the site for a chapel. The members changed our name to the State Street Baptist Society, and the new chapel was dedicated debt free on February 2, 1860.

Sent Missionaries and Started Other Churches

During the first 22 years of our ministry, we sent missionaries to Japan, Burma, Assam, India, and China. Others served with the Freedman of the South, in New Orleans, and with Swedish immigrants. Early in the 20th century we sent Helen Corbin to China, and in 1921 Marion Tait went to Assam.

We helped to establish two new churches in Rockford. In 1880 the First Swedish Baptist Church got started, and it is now seen as Temple Baptist Church. In 1959 we helped the members of the North Towne Baptist Church to get their church started.

Members of our congregation have been active in the establishment and ministries of the Golden Agers Center, Habitat for Humanity, the Pantry, Love INC and delivering Mobile Meals.

Move and Name Changed to State Street Baptist Church

In 1949 our church building was destroyed in a fire. After meeting for two years in temporary facilities, we were able to build a new facility at East State and Barker Place in 1951. Once again we changed our name. This time to the State Street Baptist Church.

 

New Ministry Center and New Name in 2000

In 1998 we sold this facility to build a new center for ministry on east Spring Creek Road. Since July 23, 2000 we have continued to serve Jesus Christ from this facility, but we are now known as Creekwood Baptist Church. On May 16, 2004 we broke ground for the construction of Phase II of our Ministry Center, which was dedicated on June 5, 2005.

We have seen lots of changes, but we proclaim the same message of good news about Jesus that He commissioned His apostles and us to preach as we seek to glorify God, who never changes. If we don't know you, it would be a pleasure to meet you.