Born and raised in Houston, Texas, church life and ministry have been a part of Lara’s life almost from the very beginning. She has always enjoyed worship, singing, and exploring the Scriptures. She felt an unmistakable call to ordained ministry while at Austin College, in Sherman, Texas, where she got a B.A. in philosophy. She then moved to Virginia, graduating from Union-PSCE (now Union Presbyterian Seminary) with an Master of Divinity in 2002. She was ordained in December of that year, shortly after accepting her first call as an associate pastor in Virginia Beach. Since then, she has served several other churches in various ways, eventually making her way to Radford, Virginia, where she served as pastor of two small churches for several years. In 2008, she married Kirk MacGregor, a professor of religious studies. Lara took a hiatus from full-time ministry for a couple of years, as her husband’s work carried them from Radford to Harrisonburg, Virginia, and then to Macomb, Illinois. She was still able to serve the church, however, supply preaching fairly regularly at churches in the Macomb area. She is excited to be returning to full-time pastoral ministry here at Hickory Hills.

Lara MacGregor currently keeps up a blog: Butterflies and Hot Tea.

Dianne moved to the Chicago suburbs in 1970, after graduating from Western Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Education.  She has been an administrator and a teacher, working with children of all ages.  Serving her church has always been an important part of her life, and she has served as a Sunday school teacher, superintendent, a member of numerous committees, and is an ordained elder of the church.  In 1994 she was called to her current position here at our church.

To contact Dianne visit our contact page.

G. R., a native of Iowa, has been with our church since late 1999.
A lifelong performer, G.R. began singing and composing since the age of five and has been a pianist since age seven. He has performed with many groups, including the Chatham Choral Ensemble.
G.R. has a B.A. in religion and music from Illinois Wesleyan University, and is a Master of Music degree candidate in vocal performance. He has served in multiple denominations and has been a certified lay speaker in the United Methodist church.
He shares his home with his mother, Eloise.

The staff, Session, members, and friends of Hickory Hills Presbyterian Church are deeply grieved by the loss of G.R., who passed away on July 23, 2011.

G.R. brought amazing God-given gifts and talents to the ministries of Hickory Hills, and to the lives of those who worshipped here. He followed God’s call on his life, as expressed by the Psalmist, to “make a joyful noise unto the Lord” with everything he did. His ministry, and his life, touched our lives, and we will miss him very much.

Messages in Loving Memory of G.R. can be sent to HHPC@hickoryhillspres.org.

Class of 2011	Class of 2012	Class of 2013
Terry Brock	Susan Frangella	Dave Delaney
Gordon Home	Karen Hoffman	Wilda Duncan
Jennifer Vogl	Rick Raschke	Beverly Kahn
Tom Pearson	Scott Zimmerman	Darlene Kibort

Class of 2011	Class of 2012	Class of 2013
Chris Maranto	Kim Ambrosat	Darlene Delaney
Katie Treccani	Patt Pilgrim	Charley Huenecke
Rick Vogl	Debbie Zimmerman	Carol Sack

Committee	Chair	Session Rep
Building & Grounds	Charley Huenecke	Rick Raschke
Christian Education	Dianne Flynn	Cindy Treccani
Endowment/Stewardship/ Finance	Karen Hoffman/ Susan Frangella	Karen Hoffman
Fundraising	Susan Frangella	Shirley Brunell
Mission	Sue Orsic	Dave Delaney
Nominating	TBD	TBD
Outreach	Gordon Home	Gordon Home
Personnel	Cheryl Huenecke	Cheryl Huenecke
Worship & Music	G.R. Snow	Scott Zimmerman
Praise Worship	Cindy Treccani	Cindy Treccani

The Hickory Hills Presbyterian Church has a rich history dating back more than 50 years:

• 1951, September - We began as a Sunday school in the North Palos School building across the street from the current location after a survey by the Church Extension Board of the Chicago Presbytery
• 1951, November - An organization was formed for the purpose of forming a church; meetings were held under the name “North Palos Community Church”.
• 1953, January 18th - Our name was changed to “Hickory Hills Community Church” after the Chicago Presbytery granted our church a charter.
• 1966 - The word “community” was dropped from our name and we took on our current name “Hickory Hills Presbyterian Church”.
• 1960’s & 1970’s - The Women’s Association collected small amounts of money and socks and mittens, the start of the sock and mitten tree.
• 1970’s - Our Church began its long standing relationship with the Jones Community Center in Chicago Heights.
• 1980’s - Our church’s missions were concentrated on raising money for the Presbytery’s missions, including the One Great Hour of Sharing.
• 1988 - The Tree of Warmth, as it is now known, was brought back to benefit the Jones Center.
• 1990’s - Our Deacons Board was change to the “Congregational Care Committee”, or the CCC, which assumed the responsibilities of the Board of Deacons, Prayer and Care, Worship and Music, Mission, and Fellowship committees.
• 1994, October 3rd – Seeking to serve the neighborhood children, Kids Club was created, and we invited them and our members’ children to attend. We welcome children to participate in an hour and a half of structured fun time each week. “Where kids are #1” has been our Kids Club motto since its inception.
• 1999, December - Our first expansion was dedicated, and included a gym, new offices, and new class rooms.
• 2000, April 1st - A historical merger for the Presbytery of Chicago took place between our church, Trinity Presbyterian Church and Chicago Ridge Presbyterian Church.
• 2000, April - The Fund for the Human Need was carried over from Trinity Presbyterian church. This fund continues to bless our brothers and sisters in need while preserving the benefactors’ anonymity.
• 2000 - After the merger we once again formed a Board of Deacons consisting of only 6 members. The board was responsible for introducing new ministries, and some of the CCC’s duties.
• 2000 - The Mission Council 8 Kentucky Mission trip was introduced to our congregation, and the number of our missionaries grows every year.
• 2003 - Our second expansion, including the new Sanctuary, and class rooms, was dedicated.
• 2004 - Our Board of Deacons was increased to 18 members, elected and ordained, to handle the growing congregation. Consistent congregational contact has increased and improved, thanks to our Deacons.
• 2006, July - We sponsored 34 mission workers from our congregation who spent a week in the Appalachian Mountains of southeastern Kentucky serving those in need.
• 2006, November 12th - We created a new praise worship service, Rev, that introduced more contemporary Christian music to our congregation.
• 2010, August 1st - Lara MacGregor started her call as our full time Designated Pastor.

▲ Back to Top