Preached at home church

Today I preached at my home church in Northern Illinois. The bells from the steeple of this church have sounded almost every Sunday since the mid 1800's. A group of pioneers organized this faith community in 1850.  The building was constructed in 1870 at a cost of $3944.  In 1875 a shed with 23 stalls was built at the rear of the building to protect waiting horses. Members could rent a stall for $1.00 a year.  In 1915 a statute of a civil war soldier was erected on the corner of the church's lot by citizens of the township. The statute was to honor 71 men of the community who met at the church to go off and fight in the war. 15 of these men lost their life in battle. 

 

 Like many rural churches of today, the membership is declining. I believe I preached to a crowd of 38 with half that group being extended family. Even though their numbers are dwindling they are still strong in their devotion to God and service to the community.  This church played a significant role in nurturing me through my childhood and then supporting me in my call to ministry.

For me a wonderful testimony of this church is that it has never had a lock on its door. The church is open to anyone at anytime.  It has been like that since it's beginning. 

The church lock on the front doors is just a latch.