A person standing on a grassy hilltop watching the sun rise over a lake and distant hills

Our story

Fifty years of finding center.

Two pastors, a borrowed basement office, and a conviction that healing belongs within reach of everyone.

Our history

From a church basement to a permanent home

1976

The seed & the sowers

Gazing from their church office window to a professional arts building across the way, two young pastors — Dr. William Enright and Dr. Charles Alcorn, then serving First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn — imagined a place where people could find healing and hope in a loving, professional atmosphere. Their congregation's blessing and a Living Mission Fund led to the Center's start-up, and seven other local churches and parishes soon joined in support. In the fall of 1976, with a few pieces of hand-me-down furniture and an office in the basement of the First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, the Center opened its doors.

1992 – 1999

Growth & maturity

As staff and clients grew, more space became critical. In 1992 the First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton offered its unused Manse — a lovely, home-like setting. During seven years there the Center expanded its educational programming, added internships for student therapists, and grew its affiliations to more than 25 Catholic and Protestant congregations. When the Manse was scheduled for demolition, the board and staff purchased space in the Mona Kea office complex, and in the spring of 1999 the Center moved into its first permanent home.

1999 – today

Deeply rooted, firmly established

The relocation looks now like the blessing that secured the Center's future; it was during this time that the endowment was established through the DuPage Foundation. In 2006, after 30 years at the helm, Dr. Alcorn stepped down to grow that endowment. He was followed by Dr. James Natter, then Dr. Nancy Cochran, with Derrick Smith serving as practice manager in the interim. Today the Center celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026 under the new leadership of Dr. Genalin Niere-Metcalf.

Our mission

What we are here to do

Founded in Christian traditions, Central DuPage Pastoral Counseling Center welcomes everyone, inspires hope, and facilitates healing. Skilled, licensed therapists apply the perspectives of psychology, physiology, spirituality, and culture in providing integrated therapeutic care and educational services.

A place where people could find healing and hope in a loving, professional atmosphere.

Our founders, 1976

Congregations who stand with us

Affiliate churches

Faith Lutheran Church
41 N. Park Blvd, Glen Ellyn
630-469-2361
First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn
535 Forest Ave, Glen Ellyn
630-469-3096
First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn
550 N. Main St, Glen Ellyn
630-469-2007
First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton
715 Carlton, Wheaton
630-668-5147
Gary United Methodist Church
224 N. Main St, Wheaton
630-668-3100
Glen Ellyn Covenant Church
277 Hawthorne, Glen Ellyn
630-469-5405
Grace Lutheran Church of Bensenville
950 S. York Rd, Bensenville
630-766-3030
Grace Lutheran Church of Glen Ellyn
493 Forest Ave, Glen Ellyn
630-469-1555
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
802 E. Geneva Rd, Wheaton
630-665-1515
Hope Presbyterian Church
1771 S. Wiesbrook Rd, Wheaton
630-668-7750
Peace Lutheran Church
21W500 Butterfield Rd, Lombard
630-627-1101
St. Matthew United Church of Christ
1420 Gables Blvd, Wheaton
630-665-1236
St. Michael Catholic Church
310 S. Wheaton Ave, Wheaton
630-665-2250
St. Paul Lutheran Church
515 S. Wheaton Ave, Wheaton
630-668-5953
St. Petronille Parish
420 Glenwood, Glen Ellyn
630-469-0404
Trinity Episcopal Church
130 N. West St, Wheaton
630-665-1101

Associate churches

Calvary Episcopal
105 West Maple, Lombard
630-620-8899
Christ Community Church
602 E. Geneva Rd, Wheaton
630-665-2259
Community Presbyterian Church
1111 E. Madison, Lombard
630-627-0306
Corpus Christi Catholic Church
1415 Lies Road, Carol Stream
630-483-4673
St. Daniel the Prophet Church
101 West Loop Rd, Wheaton
630-682-5003
St. Isidore Parish
427 W. Army Trail Rd, Bloomingdale
630-529-3045
St. James the Apostle Catholic Church
480 S. Park Blvd, Glen Ellyn
630-469-7540
St. John Lutheran Church
410 N. Cross St, Wheaton
630-668-0701
St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church
0S233 Church St, Winfield
630-668-0918
St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church
23W080 Butterfield Rd, Glen Ellyn
630-469-5552
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
393 Main St, Glen Ellyn
630-858-1020
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
331 W. George St, West Chicago
630-231-1175

The Center is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors drawn from these congregations and the wider community — meet our board.