Park Forest Baptist Church began as a home Bible Study under the leadership of Pastor Jim Nolten. The first public
worship service was held September 12, 1982 at the Big Wrangler Steak House on North Atherton Street with 19 local
people present. Six months later the church moved worship services to the Village Inn Pizza Parlor.
On its first anniversary, the church moved to the Holiday Inn where it continued to meet for four years. Finally,
in October of 1987, the growing congregation moved into the new multi-purpose facility currently on 24 acres at
3030 Carnegie Drive, situated at the intersection of Valley Vista Drive and Carnegie Drive.
The strength of the church has been its commitment to teaching the Bible accompanied with a spirit of Christian
love. In 1998, the church added a youth pastor to its staff. In the spring of 2000, a
children's minister was added. The church has a solid foundation and looks to the future with a vision for
continued growth and blessing.
