Ralph Edwin Church (May 5, 1883 – March 21, 1950) was an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Illinois. A member of the Republican Party, he represented Illinois's 10th congressional district from 1935 to 1941 and again from 1943 until his death in 1950.
Early Life and Education Born in Springboro, Crawford County, Pennsylvania, Church attended the public schools of his hometown. He pursued higher education at Northwestern University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1906. He then attended the Northwestern University School of Law, earning his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1909. He furthered his legal studies at Harvard Law School in 1912.
Legal and Political Career Church was admitted to the bar in 1909 and commenced his legal practice in Evanston, Illinois. His political career began at the state level. He served as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1917 to 1932. Following this, he was elected to the Illinois Senate, serving from 1933 to 1934.
In 1934, Church successfully ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Illinois's 10th congressional district. He served three consecutive terms from January 3, 1935, to January 3, 1941. He sought re-election in 1940 but was unsuccessful.
Church was re-elected to Congress in 1942, returning to the House of Representatives on January 3, 1943. He continued to be re-elected to this seat until his death in 1950. During his time in Congress, he was known for his conservative fiscal policies and his focus on issues related to his Illinois constituency.
Death Ralph E. Church died in office on March 21, 1950, in Washington, D.C., at the age of 66. He was interred in Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie, Illinois.