The group now known as The Upper Room Bible Church met in five different locations between 1972 and 1979. It has met in the old West Lawn School building, 425 W Orleans, since 1979.

The church first met in the living room of Daniel and Lora Kupferschmid, 2 1/2 miles east of Paxton. It met there for two Sundays in 1972. The church then met in the Paxton Civic Center on East Orleans and was called Community Christian Chapel.  Next, it met for about 12 months in a building on the east side of Route 45 just north of the State Street Mall, after which the church met in an apartment above Dan’s Electric Service on 119 South Market — and was first known as The Upper Room Bible Church.

The church purchased the old West Lawn school building in 1980 and has been meeting in that location for almost 30 years. As attendance increased, the church found itself in need of more space. In the summer of 2018, the sanctuary was built expanding our seating to almost 200.

Pastor Kupferschmid served as pastor from 1972 until 2006 and went to be with the Lord in 2013.  Kevin Heiser served for a few years as associate pastor alongside Dan, becoming senior pastor in 2007.  Dave Hohulin followed as URBC’s pastor from 2013 until his transition into full time mission work in December of 2022. Mat Bowen was selected by the congregation to replace Pastor Dave in December of 2022. 

The Upper Room Bible Church currently operates as an independent non-denominational church. The church has also become a regional church, with attendees coming from Paxton, Loda, Rantoul, Saybrook, Melvin, Sibley, Fisher, Elliot, Philo, and Gibson City.