The Home Class was organized in October of 1903. The members, mostly mothers, originally received Sunday School quarterlies and studied their lessons at home. At a meeting once a month on Tuesdays, the Home Class met to review the lessons under the instruction of the three leaders. Quilting, sewing, and general service in time of need was their program in the early years. For a service project, the home class produced a service flag for the Mission representing all Mission boys who served their country in the World Wars. Since 1976 this club has sponsored the annual October Banquet, a birthday celebration of the various clubs.
 

Though the Loyal League no longer is active at the Mission, they have delivered many years of splendid service to our work. The first meeting was held on Wednesday, November 5, 1919. The original enrollment numbered 30. This organization was the outgrowth of a teachers' training class which held its meetings in the Sun Room of the old Mission. The Loyal League no longer holds regular meetings, but members turn out for Mission events. When the club was active, meetings were held regularly on the first Wednesday of each month. These meetings consisted of devotional, business, and a social hour. One of the most enjoyable features of the work of this group was the annual Christmas party given for the primaries and beginners. These little guests were treated to caramel corn, stick candy, and apples, and each child was presented with a gift. The last recorded Loyal League president was Marie Kohlbacher.

The Master called His beloved ones "friends", so when a group of girls sponsored by Mrs. Mathews and the Misses Mary Schwartz, Cora Albertsen, Agnes Smith and Louise Weiss, organized a club on October 2, 1921, they called it "Tillicums", a Native American name meaning good friends. The Tillicums have a fine history of being active in the social life of the Mission. The Tillicums were the first Mission group to sponsor a bazaar in 1923. In 1925 they honored their mothers with a Mother-Daughter banquet, which has become a Mission tradition. This club has always been pleased to supply the little things needed to make the wheels of the Sunday School turn more smoothly, such as an attendance and offering register for the main Sunday School and birthday banks for the Beginners and Primary Departments. To provide such gifts, the club has organized dinners, candy and bake sales, and sold magazine subscriptions, wax paper, and even gelatin. The Tillicums slogan is "Friendliness and Service."
 

This Mission Girls' Club was organized September 20, 1923, with 25 charter members, composed in four classes sponsored by Misses Margaret Lautz, Linda Kohlbacher and Anna Blenkiron, and Mrs. Carrie M. Matthews. It was the custom of the Mission to organize the older girls' classes into a club so they could continue their membership with the Mission when their home duties and other reasons hindered them from attending the regular Sunday School morning sessions. The Girls' Club met monthly to report plans and different methods of scattering sunshine and good deeds. They stood watchful for opportunities to be of service. Though this group no longer meets regularly due to the health of its few remaining members, there is a ray of sunshine on the horizon -- a newly formed girls' club, Sunshine II.
 

Twelve girls met on January 21, 1953, to form a new club "to promote the social and cultural welfare of the Pekin Union Mission Society and to help each other to grow in faith and understanding." Their formative leaders were Lola Wubben, Annette Rickard, and Katherine Doren. It was not until March of that same year that the club would choose the name "Carrie M." to honor the late Mrs. Carrie May Mathews, who rendered 50 years service to the Mission. The responsibilities they chose include securing and coloring Easter eggs and stuffing the sacks for the annual Christmas treats. In December 1968, the club donated a much appreciated lavaliere microphone and stand for the stage. The club has also donated a bulletin board in memory of Lola Wubben, artificial palm trees for the stage, and privacy drapes for the balcony guard rail.
 

I.H.H.

The I.H.H. Club emerged from the earlier Union Mission Girls' Club organized by Mrs. Geneva Craggs in March 1953. On March 11, 1958, Mrs. Pat Bright and eight charter members reorganized the club and chose a secret name, revealed only to club members. The club assumed the responsibilities of decorating and dismantling the various Christmas trees around the Mission. In 1969 the Club made 30 beautiful religious symbol ornaments for the tree in the theater. I.H.H. members' successful fund-raising efforts have resulted in many gifts to the Sunday School, including our stage Nativity set, R.S.V. pulpit Bible, indoor-outdoor thermometer for Polar Bear readings, National Geographic Bible Land for our library, a wall plaque for the Orchestra, and many other thoughtful gifts and services to the Mission. Members currently meet the second Tuesday of each month for devotions, business and pleasure.
 

In 1994 Shirley Moore sponsored Misses Rachael Roby, Alissa Roby, Heather Logue, Tiffany Hancock, and Samantha Collins in starting a new girls' club honoring the previous Sunshine Club, The club's purpose is to benefit the Mission, and members have directed their efforts on two service projects. They redecorated our Mission Game Room and plan another service project which reaches outside the Mission. Current members hope to "adopt a grandma" from a local nursing home who would appreciate visits, notes and cards, remembering her on holidays, and generally bringing good cheer. Sunshine II holds regular meetings the last Wednesday of each month at the Mission. Like those of their predecessors, these meetings consist of devotional, prayer time, a business meeting, and a social hour. The girls would like to issue a general invitation to any young woman interested in joining their circle of friendship, "Please feel free to visit any time!"
 

The six charter members present on that first Sunday morning in 1914 were John Flath (horn), Fred Kickler (violin), Alfred Dieckman (cornet), Henry Beebe (violin), George Saal (clarinet), and Carrie Mathews (piano). 1998 Orchestra members include Orchestra Director Phil Peterson (flute, fife), Phil Frederich (drums), Johanna Peterson (trombone), Jim Markum (trumpet), Sally Markum (piano), and Dick Schermer (clarinet, trumpet). The orchestra is considered "missing in action" if it ever has fewer than three members present on any given Sunday. Incredibly, the Mission Orchestra has had only six recorded misses since it was organized 80 years ago. The level of commitment has certainly been exemplary over these many years.
 

Men who are now well past their boyhood recount nostalgically how they would sit at different positions along a glass covered library table to view, two pages per station, the newest Superman comic. Herb Mathews doubled as Sunday School Superintendent and "commander" of the reading room, keeping time to announce the shift to the next position at the table as well as maintaining discipline among the boys. Being open daily, the reading room afforded the Mission Sunday School department contact with many who did not attend the Sunday School.

In 1912 the reading room was expanded into the newly donated former laundry, just east of the existing two store fronts already housing Mission activities. Moving the reading room provided an opportunity. The main floor of the old building was turned into a make-shift gym. Basketball was played on rickety wooden floors in a room with a 10-foot high ceiling. Ah, those were the days!

The new gym, added in 1922, developed into an important Mission department. Gym classes were organized and were well attended. A full-time Activity Director was hired to devote full attention to expanding the use of the gym facility.

A Pekin Daily Times article read, "The 'Gym' opens tonight under the supervision of an experienced physical instructor, who will be present every night from 4:30 to 9:30." Our first director was Mr. Neil McNeil of Peoria, who was employed four nights each week, holding four classes daily. The Times article added that dues were 10 cents per month (to pay the instructors fee), a locker was furnished, and a hot shower was free; however, "A charge of five cents for large bath towels will be made to those who do not furnish their own towel."

Wednesdays were set aside for "the exclusive use of girls and women". A "Business Men's class" was organized with the motivating slogan, "Health is Wealth." Participants would play volleyball and other games beginning about 4:30 in the afternoon. In a September issue of a 1933 Echo, the pitch for the classes read, "...the man too busy for this is neglecting a good and sure investment which is the cheapest insurance." The gym was so popular that the Mission had to keep a waiting list for use of the facility.

The early instructors were followed by a long series of recreational supervisors until 1964, when Mr. Glen Cerveny became our first full-time recreational director. Mr. Cerveny also assumed the responsibility of the men's Sunday School class. Mr. John Preston took over the director's position from 1967 until 1974, when Mr. Ronald C. Smith from Indiana State University became director and also assumed leadership of the men's Sunday School class. In 1980 our current director, Mr. Terry Brecher, came to the Mission. His long-standing leadership of the recreation program has been marked by widespread community approval and support.