Mann's Chapel facts for kids
Mann's Chapel is a very old church in Vermilion County, Illinois. It was built way back in 1857, making it a true pioneer building! You can find it just east of Illinois Route 1, a short drive south of the town of Rossville. This historic chapel stands as a reminder of the early settlers in the area.
Contents
The Story of Mann's Chapel
How the Land Was Donated
The story of Mann's Chapel begins with a sad event. In August 1839, Samuel Gilbert's grandson, also named Samuel, passed away when he was only eleven days old. Because of this, Samuel Gilbert and his son James decided to donate some land to be used as a cemetery. This was a common practice in pioneer times when communities needed places to bury their loved ones.
Later, on April 1, 1855, Samuel Gilbert and his wife gave even more land right next to the cemetery. This new piece of land was specifically for building a chapel. They wanted a place for the community to gather for worship and other important events.
Building the Chapel with Special Bricks
The chapel was built using bricks made by a man named Abraham Mann. Abraham had moved to this area directly from England in 1832. He was a brickmaker, and he had made these bricks to build a new house for his own family.
However, Abraham Mann decided that building a church for the community was more important than his own new house at that time. So, he donated his bricks for the chapel. This act of generosity helped make Mann's Chapel a reality for the early settlers of Vermilion County. The chapel stands as a testament to the community spirit of those times.
A New Beginning for the Chapel
After many years of use, Mann's Chapel eventually fell into disuse around the 1920s. It was no longer actively used for church services, and over time, it started to show signs of neglect.
However, the story of Mann's Chapel didn't end there! Several women's clubs from nearby Rossville decided to step in. They worked hard to restore the old chapel, bringing it back to its original beauty. Thanks to their efforts, Mann's Chapel was saved and can still be visited today, allowing new generations to learn about its history.
