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Who Are We?
St. John's Church is the oldest church in Kewanee, Illinois. Kewanee is located in west central
Illinois. It was formed along the railroad tracks in the early 1850s. Kewanee is just 10 minutes
south of Interstate 80, which runs from New York City to San Francisco.
What We Believe!
St. John's began on May 13, 1855. Services have been conducted on the same plot of ground on
which the church was built since 1855. St. John's is often referred to as the little church with
the red doors. St. John's is a parish in the Diocese of Quincy. At St. John's we believe that we
are in the business of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone through:
Sacramental Worship,
Being a loving community of faith, Personal responsibility for spiritual growth and life-style and
Sharing a world-wide Christian fellowship.
behind the church.
July, 2006.
On May 13, 1855 an Episcopal Sunday School was organized in Kewanee, Illinois. The first “full Episcopal Service” from the
Book of Common Prayer, with sermon, was held in the summer of 1855. The Rev. Mr. Porter, then connected with Jubilee
College near Peoria, was the celebrant. On October 9 of that year, the Bishop of the Diocese of Illinois, the Right Reverend
Henry John Whitehouse made his first visit to Kewanee. The following summer, on July 13, 1856 St. John’s parish was
organized. In the Fall of 1856 St. John’s was admitted to the Diocese of Illinois. On April 5, 1857 the Rev. Gerritt E. Peters
became the first Rector of St. John’s. And on November 15, 1857 St. John’s was consecrated. St John’s is still the oldest
church in its original building in all of Kewanee. Its bell is the oldest and the first bell to have been rung in Kewanee.
46 Rectors have served at St. John’s since its founding in 1856.
St. John’s is planning three events to celebrate a century and a half of service to the Lord. Joan Shinkevich, Dixie
Cernovich, Dorothy Snider and Marian McDowell formed a committee to plan for the 150th Anniversary celebration.
On Friday, June 9, 2006 there was a special Mass followed by a formal dinner. On Sunday, July 16, 2006 there will be a
special Mass, followed by a barbecue picnic. St. John’s members will be wearing commemorative 150th anniversary T-shirts
for this event. And in September there will be an afternoon tea, date and time yet to be determined.
This is a special time of joy and celebration for our parish. We give thanks to the Lord our God for providing this place of
worship, fellowship and learning for these 150 years. We look forward to many more praise-filled years to come.
Fr. Wagner
Wagner and his wife, Carol Ann and
former rectors, Father Pence and
Father Marshall at the 150th
Anniversary Celebration Banquet, in
June 2006.
Celebration.
anniversary celebration.
pulpit during our 150th Mass celebration
