Pastor Laura Truax shocked people at LaSalle Street Church when she announced she was going to share out part of $1.6 million made in a real estate deal.
The money, $500 each, was shared between 320 regular attendees.
Speaking to the Associated Press Pastor Truax said: "I hoped that they would recognize the power they had to bless others and change somebody's life and that has largely happened."
One woman gave the money to her granddaughter to help pay for student fees, another gave his cash to help build a skate part for children whilst one woman is giving it to a scholarship fund for immigrants.