A Child Evangelism Class that began in the home of the Jenkinson family in 1943 was the seed for an Evangelical Free Church in what was rural Moline. The pastor at the First Evangelical Free Church, Rev. Ray Schulenberg, was instrumental in helping to start a branch Sunday School for those who met in the Jenkinson's home. The Mound View School near the Quad-City Airport became the meeting place of that Sunday School in 1943. The Sunday school Superintendent, Mr. Zimmerman, of the First Evangelical Free Church, led a team of Sunday School teachers who began that new Sunday School. John Kahle filled the pulpit when church services were held in the school.

    The church was organized in November 1951. The Strombeck family had purchased property near the school and gave it to the church. A new church building was dedicated on April 26, 1953. Rev. Thorwall of the First Evangelical Free church had assisted in the organizing of the church. The first pastor of the Church was Rev. Roger Gustafson, who served from 1955 until 1958. Rev. George Boyagian supplied the pulpit until Rev. Earl Hurne became pastor in 1959. He served until 1961. Mr. Fran Harrell then supplied the pulpit until Rev. Ray Faust came to the church in 1962.

    In 1965 an eight-room addition for classrooms was added to the church. In 1969, the Sunday School attendance was averaging 160 people.

    Pastor Faust left in 1972, and Pastor Gifford Meyers began serving the church in 1973. In 1976 the congregation voted to change its name from Mound View Evangelical Free to Faith Evangelical Free Church. From 1975 to 1977, the main building was remodeled with amenities like carpeting and air-conditioning. Property adjacent to the church was also acquired, including a small house.

    Robert Page was pastor from 1976 until 1978. In 1978 the first full time youth and music pastor was hired, Dennis Bookhart. He served here until 1981.

    In 1978 Pastor Randy Larson began his pastorate here. Randy had grown up in this church. In 1981 the church renovated a small house on the property into church offices and meeting rooms. It was dedicated in memory of Richard Strombeck, a church member who passed away in 1981.

    After Randy Larson left, Ron Allen became pastor on October 1, 1986. He served for 12 years, leaving in February 1999. At the end of 1999, Michael Kennedy agreed to fill the pulpit on an interim basis. In July of 2000, Michael was offered and accepted the position as full-time senior pastor. An installation service was held in August of 2000.

    The church has always grappled with the issue of location, or relocation. The nearby homes and neighborhoods have disappeared gradually, to allow for land acquisition by the airport. Currently about 65 people attend worship services, this being an upswing from 25-30 people a year ago. Most families in the church are still from the Moline and Milan areas. There are several small groups that meet in homes during the week, and the Sunday evening Bible study provides a small group atmosphere with an emphasis on prayer. The church is committed to spiritual growth, as well as maintenance and improvement of our present facility. We are "rebuilding" our church, beginning with the identification and development of spiritual gifts. In January 2001, 56 people took a spiritual gifts inventory. Teaching and development of people's individual gifts continued throughout that summer, serving as a foundation for growth. Many more people have taken the spiritual gifts test as we continue to develop and grow.

Information provided by N. Johnson, G. Lange, church members/ compiled by C. Moore 2001.