(708) 352-0800 | Worship every Sunday @ 10 a.m.
(708) 352-0800 | Worship every Sunday @ 10 a.m.
Get to know your church leaders and staff.
Rev. Brian Damrow is a Wisconsin native, raised in the United Church of Christ alongside of his four sisters. His family was deeply involved in the life of the church. His mother was chair of the Faith Formation team for 50 years, and his father was Minister of Music. His connection to the UCC is also seen in his post high school years. He is an alum of Lakeland University in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, along with nine units of CPE, and three years as Chaplin at Barnes Hospital St. Louis. Brian is among hundreds of clergy who are second career. Brian was employed at Donohue Engineering working in the field of Intelligraphics. Brian is married to Dawn, and they have three children (Heather, Seth, Aaron). They also have three grandchildren Michael, Matthew, and Benjamin. After graduating from seminary Brian has served in several UCC congregations. He has served on both Association and Conference level Ministry Teams. Brian prophetically preaches the message of justice and love as spoken by Jesus, as the only true way of living and walking with Christ. He consistently reminds the congregation that how they love their neighbor is how they love God.
Ryan Cox has been the Director of Music at FCCLG since 2003. He directs the vocal and handbell choirs of all ages as well as the instrumental ensembles for special services throughout the year. Working with such a wide variety of music and musicians is a joy. Ryan was born and raised in Beverly, on the south side of Chicago. He graduated from Millikin University with degrees in Vocal Performance and Business Management. During his time at Millikin, he served as Music Director for Westminster Presbyterian Church in Decatur, IL. When Ryan is not at FCCLG, he sings with the Chicago Symphony Chorus, Grant Park Symphony Chorus, Chicago a cappella, records for GIA Music Publishing, and performs solos in concert and oratorio. He directs a professional choir for the Jewish High Holidays at Anshe Emet Synagogue and has prepared Chicago a cappella for holiday programs. Ryan teaches voice lessons and is the Director of the First Conservatory of LaGrange, housed at FCCLG.
AnnLaura Tapia joined First Congregational as organist in August of 2018. She is originally from Lafayette, Indiana, where she took organ lessons with Tom Saxon. AnnLaura studied Harp Performance under Alice Chalifoux at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and Judy Loman at the University of Toronto and the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto. In addition to her role as organist, AnnLaura offer private lessons on organ and harp through the First Conservatory of LaGrange.
Tammy is a Midwesterner at heart, originally from Michigan and now calling Illinois home for the past 35 years, with a six-year stop in Pasadena, California along the way. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Michigan and brings a diverse professional background to her work, having held roles ranging from Research Assistant to Athletic Director to Office Administrator. Tammy joined FCCLG in February 2024 and is grateful to be part of a team committed to meaningful service and community. She is married, has two grown sons, and enjoys gardening and running through the local Forest Preserve in her free time.
Jamie works part-time managing office and space rentals in the church building and supporting onsite events like weddings, meetings, etc. If you’d like to host an event at FCCLG, please reach out to her below. She was raised in a Congregational UCC church community and is proud to work in support of a group that strives to positively impact the world with love, acceptance, and generosity. A graduate of the University of Illinois – Urbana/Champaign, Jamie lives in the western suburbs with her husband and 3 children. When she’s not at FCCLG, she is a dance mom, a baseball mom, a T1D mom, a Director on the Board of her local public library’s Foundation, an active volunteer at her kids’ school, and a loyal Diet Coke drinker.
Tom Lowry, Moderator
Kent Llewellyn, Vice Moderator
Nancy Coleman, Past Moderator
Amanda Ries, Treasurer
Sherri Ries, Clerk
Kevin Cunningham, Member at Large
Noah Gartner, Member at Large
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