Christ Church of Lower Kickapoo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christ Church |
|
|---|---|
| Christ Church Limestone | |
Church and graveyard, 2011
|
|
 Christ Church
Location in Peoria County, Illinois
|
|
| 40°42′25″N 89°43′00″W / 40.70701°N 89.71675°W | |
| Location | Limestone Township, Peoria County, Illinois |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Anglican Church in North America |
| Previous denomination | Episcopal Church |
| History | |
| Founded | 1834 |
| Consecrated | December 10, 1845 |
| Architecture | |
| Completed | December 10, 1845 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Diocese of Quincy (ACNA) |
The Christ Church of Lower Kickapoo is also known as Christ Church Limestone. People sometimes call it the Old Stone Church. It is located in Limestone Township, Peoria County, Illinois, close to Norwood, Illinois. This historic church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This means it is a special building worth protecting.
Contents
Building the Church
The church was built by its own members. They used materials found nearby. The design of the church was inspired by the styles from their home countries.
Construction Details
The first stone, called the cornerstone, was placed on May 17, 1844. The building was finished and officially opened on December 10, 1845. The stone used for the church came from a creek nearby. The special seats, called pews, were made from local black walnut trees.
Royal Help and a Special Bell
Believe it or not, Queen Victoria helped pay for the church! People wrote letters to Queen Adelaide, who was Queen Victoria's aunt. This led to Queen Victoria donating money.
Because of this, a church bell was given to the church in 1887. This was to celebrate Queen Victoria's 50th year as queen. The bell was made by the Clinton H. Meneely Company in Troy, New York. It has a special message carved on it: "Laus Deo Allelus", Christ Church, Limestone, Peoria, Illinois, Advent 1887.
The bell tower was built in 1889. The stones for the tower came from the house of a person named John Flatman. Frank Burlet was the main stonemason, helped by Dr. N.A. Johnston.
Beautiful Windows and Woodwork
Three of the five stained glass windows in the church remember early church members. The window behind the altar (the church's main table) was put in place in 1880. It was made by skilled artists from England. Another window, on the southeast side, was added in 1891.
In 1892, the church got a new ceiling made of oak wood. The strong beams were made of cypress wood. These special woods were brought all the way from Georgia.
Church History
The church community started in 1834. It was in a place now called Norwood. The first members were immigrants from England and Wales.
Early Years
In 1836, Philander Chase accepted the group into the Diocese of Illinois. He was the first Bishop of that area. The church officially joined the Diocese of Illinois in 1838. At first, church services were held in people's homes.
Building the church started in the spring of 1844. It was completed in the autumn of 1845. In 1851, Rev. John Benson became the church's first official leader, called a rector.
Changes Over Time
In 1887, the church had 100 members. But over time, fewer people attended. Regular services stopped in 1934.
People began working to fix up the church in the 1950s. Weekly services started again in October 1960.
In 2008, a new Parish Hall was built. This was a big improvement because it brought running water to the church for the very first time!
Christ Church Limestone used to be an Episcopal church. Now, it is part of the Anglican Church, Diocese of Quincy. As of 2015, the church has between 20 and 30 members.
