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Galesburg Historic Church Tour
Downtown Churches
Galesburg’s history is directly tied to the many church congregations that began in the 1800’s. Most of these churches are located downtown and represent the spirit of commitment our early settlers had in establishing Galesburg as viable community. The church architecture is also a testament to the devotion these people had to making life in Galesburg a rich experience. Today, many of these downtown churches are used by local fine arts groups for performances and concerts.
Organized in 1853 by the Reverend J.W. Earley, the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the U.S.A. and located at 153 E. Tompkins. The church was named after Richard Allen, the first African American Bishop in the AME Denomination. The congregation paid $400 for its first property. The church has been…
This church building, which sits on the city square, represents the early Galesburg settlers who founded the city and their church at the same time in 1837. This specific building was completed in 1898 at a cost of $75,000 and is one of the best examples of Richardsonian Romanesque in…
This church, located at the NE corner South & Prairie Streets, was constructed in 1884 in the Victorian Gothic style of architecture. Reverend Joseph Costa was the first parish priest was credited for the design. Inside, the body of a third century Christian martyr, St. Crescent, lies enclosed in a…
Located at Cherry & Tompkins Streets this church building was designed by William E. Wolf. This massive native stone edifice features large stone window arches and stone carving above the entry. The church was built during 1893 and houses a large sanctuary that seats with a wraparound balcony that seats…
301 N. Broad St. - Galesburg, IL, 61401
First Christian Church has been located at Broad & North Streets since 1916. The church congregation was founded in April of 1892. The present church still has a Möller pipe organ dedicated in 1928.
The First Lutheran Evangelical Church was organized in 1851. The present building located at Seminary & Water Streets was completed in 1928. The cost of construction including a pipe organ and furnishings was more than $235,000. The architecture typifies a practical adaptation of Gothic style found in early Swedish churches.
The First Presbyterian Church, located on the corner of the NE corner of Prairie & Ferris Streets, was organized with the birth of Galesburg along with the Congregationalists in 1837. After the split between the two and a series of moves, the cornerstone for this church building was laid on…
120 North Kellogg Street Galesburg, IL 61401
The first American Methodist Society organized in Galesburg in 1847. After a series of moves precipitated by fire, this church built on its present location in 1911 at the NW corner of Kellogg & Ferris Streets. The church sanctuary has beautiful stain glass windows.
Located at 305 S. Cherry Street, this church was organized in 1865 by J.W. Jackson and land was obtained in 1967. The construction was wood frame and cost several thousand dollars. Today this brick structure has undergone extensive remodeling and continues as a viable African American congregation today.
This congregation was organized in 1906 and purchased this building from St. John's Episcopal Church, which was built in 1891 and situated on the SE corner of Kellogg & Ferris Streets. The building has undergone extensive remodeling several times during their history and contains a Möller pipe organ with 30+…
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