First Presbyterian Church

On September 28, 1854, ten men and women met with two ministers from the Chicago Presbytery in the home of Mr. & Mrs. Jepatha Ripley on West Court Street and organized the church.

By the fall of 1855, they were able to build their own house of worship -- a chapel of 26 by 36 feet on lots presented to the congregation by the Illinois Central Railroad for use only as the Presbyterian church site.

Three years later in 1858, a 20 foot extension was added to the north of the original building.  By then, First Presbyterian had its first full time pastor.  By the very next year, a 30 by 32 feet addition was built to the east.  This wooden T-shaped building was replaced by a brick building, which was dedicated in 1879 and completed in 1880.

Soon after the turn of the century, the building was extended to the south and east to its present structure, except for the kitchen, which was added in 1934.

During the 30's and 40's, the interior of the church was improved with new pews.  The chancel was remodeled around a hand carved reredos made of Appalachian oak, along with a new organ.  During this time, 13 art-glass windows were put in place in the sanctuary.  Among the most striking is the large arched Last Supper window which was installed in the south wall of the building in 1944.

By the 1950s, the Sunday School department outgrew the old manse which was being used for Sunday School classes.  A successful Christian Education building campaign helped First Presbyterian add seven classrooms, a pastor's study, a library and an office area.  The new wing was dedicated in 1960.  The chancel was remodeled in 1966 with a second remodeling completed shortly before the 34-rank Keates pipe organ was installed in 1976.