Accused pedophile Rev. John W. Hays, the former Director of Congregational Life at First Presbyterian Church in River Forest, was a substitute teacher and trip chaperone at Grace Lutheran Church between 2003-2009.
That time period corresponds with the time frame Hays is accused of sexually abusing a boy from the Austin neighborhood who attended First Presbyterian.
The boy reportedly lived near Hay’s home on the 5800 block of W. Race Avenue in Chicago.
In a May 30 letter to parents of Grace Lutheran School, Principal Bill Koehne states that Hays, who is married, “self-reported to authorities inappropriate physical contact with a minor from the area.”
Koenhe said Hays was terminated at First Presbyterian on May 26, 2014.
A woman who answered the phone at Grace Lutheran Friday said Koehne was not at the school and would not return until Monday.
Koehne told parents that the grade school has no evidence Hays acted inappropriately with any Grace Lutheran students, but urged parent to contact him with any information or concerns.
“We do not have any reason to believe any inappropriate actions took place with any other children or with students at Grace,” Koehne wrote.
“Because of his role here as a substitute teacher, a chaperone on trips, and a parent of children who attended Grace, it is important for you to be aware of this information.”
Hays was scheduled to appear in criminal court in Chicago Friday morning.
