History of St. John UCC

1846

St. John Church was organized. First services held in the schoolhouse and in private homes.

1850

The first church constitution was adopted. The church was known as United Evangelical Congregation at Wickleffe, Cook County, Illinois. Mr. Morgan Johnson donated 1.5 acres of the present 10 acres for a church building.

1854

The church building project was completed.

1860

A schoolhouse was built near the parsonage located 1/2 mile west of the church.

1876

A new church was built on the old site. Christian Brinkmann was the contractor. The church cornerstone was laid on June 5, 1876. The church was dedicated late in the year.

1880

A new parsonage was built for approximately $1,150.00.

1882

September 19, the parsonage and schoolhouse were destroyed by fire. Both were erected again, but this time beside the church.

1885

August 21 the church was destroyed by fire after the steeple was struck by lightning. September 14, the cornerstone for the new church identical to the old was laid. The bell in today's belfry holds the original bell cast in 1885. The funeral toll is created by a hammer mechanism which taps against the main bell. The bell is still rung by hand by means of a rope attached to a five foot diameter wheel. The rope swings the bell which causes the clapper to ring the bell. The bell announces the beginning of worship services and also the beginning of a wedding service. The new church was built by Christian Brinkman for $2,700.00. The pipe organ was built by Emil Witzmann around 1885. It has a balanced mechanical stop-action and is registered in the Organ Historical Society Registry. The center aisle lights were originally candle lights. The fourth Sunday in Advent of the same year, a new church (our present building) was dedicated.

1928

First confirmation class in English (prior to that the language was German).

1938

Electricity was installed in church and parsonage.

1947

The school house was sold and moved to Palatine. It is a residence today. The church was remodeled. A basement was built under the church, but designed not to touch the foundation of the original church. An oil furnace was installed and replaced two pot-bellied stoves in the sanctuary.

1954

Built addition on the south side of the church- office, washrooms, library and a new kitchen.

1957

The official name of the Church became St. John United Church of Christ.

1969

Mount Hope Cemetary, just east of the parsonage becomes the legal property of St. John's Congregation.

1975

Church sanctuary redecorated to its present style.

1980

The church building and parsonage was insulated and aluminum siding replaced the original wood siding.

1996

Celebrated the church's 150th anniversary.