(618) 233-8496 | Worship every Sunday @ 10:10 a.m.
(618) 233-8496 | Worship every Sunday @ 10:10 a.m.
Learn more about our church, history and team.
We are a come-as-you-are church for believers and nonbelievers alike looking for connection. Learn more about our mission and vision.
We are passionate Jesus followers with a call to teach and equip God’s people to live meaningfully with purpose and generosity.
To love God, love people, and serve people.
Welcome to St. John’s United Church of Christ in Smithton, where everyone is welcome! We are a come-as-you-are church, a family, a fellowship of faith, and a community of hope, helping the people of Smithton and surrounding communities discover Jesus in the everyday places where we live, work, and play. We’re glad you are here. We’d love to hear your story and share ours with you. If you would like to connect, even if you are not participating in a Christian community, drop by to see us. We’d love to get acquainted.
St. John’s United Church of Christ in Smithton, Illinois began as a small rock building the size of the proverbial little red school house. It was named Franklin Church and was located in the Franklin Cemetery at the southwest end of Smithton. It was erected in 1848. In early 1867, the cornerstone of the present church building was laid, and the finished church was dedicated in September of the same year.
In 1886, Rev. William Hosto became the pastor at St. John’s. He served the church for fifty-eight years and retired in 1944.
The current parsonage was constructed by members of the church in 1905. In 1951, a one-story educational building was build west of the church. Several years later, a second story was added, which currently houses the pastor’s office, administrative assistant’s office, youth room, and Sunday School room. An addition, containing a fellowship room, restrooms, and an accessible entrance was built on the south side of the church in 1987.
In 2003, the church dedicated a beautiful cross sculpture that can be seen from Main Street. In 2005, the interior of the church was renovated for a third time.
St. John’s will be celebrating its 175th anniversary in 2024.
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