First Evangelical Free Church (First Free) in Chicago, IL has a long history of joining God at work in Chicago. The church was planted in 1880 and came to its current home in the Andersonville neighborhood in the early 1900s. We have remained in the city, committed to discipleship and mission. We praise God for the many people he has called out of our congregation to start nonprofit organizations or serve full-time in intercultural missions. Our vision is to celebrate lives transformed by Christ.

Andersonville has recently been named the “second coolest neighborhood in the world” by Time Out (www.timeout.com/coolest-neighbourhoods-in-the-world) and it’s a progressive, affluent, post-Christian neighborhood with young families, singles, and a large LGBTQ community. It really is a special place to do urban ministry, and as such, it requires us to think creatively and compassionately in all our ministry efforts.