The Oldest Church In Illinois Dates Back To The 1790s And You Need To See It
By Melissa Mahoney|Published March 22, 2021
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Melissa Mahoney
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I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
There is always something so alluring about an old church or chapel, especially one with a history dating back centuries. Oftentimes, they are central to building the community of the area and are a reminder of a town’s past. Illinois is home to numerous historic churches but there is one in particular that stands out as the oldest and it’s located in the village of Cahokia.
The Village of Cahokia was founded by French Canadian colonists in the late 1600s. It is part of St. Clair County in the western part of Illinois, bordering the state of Missouri.
In 1699, the Canadian missionaries started a congregation and built a Catholic church that was then destroyed by fire around 1740. The log church that stands today was constructed with salvaged wood from the first church and was dedicated in 1799.
The log church building was built with black walnut in the French colonial style known as post-on-sill. This is one of only five churches in this style that still stand in North America today.
The interior of the church does not have the original flooring or glass windows, although the rose window glass above the doorway is original. The main altar is in the traditional style of pre-Vatican II and holds two significant historic items: candlesticks that were gifted by France's King Louis XIV.
The original tower bell that is no longer in use was given to the church by King Louis XV.
Due to its age and significance, the Church of the Holy Family is a designated National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
The church is still an active part of the community, as it has been since 1699, making it one of the oldest continuously active Catholic churches in the country.
Mass services are held at the Church of the Holy Family several times a week, so check the website if you are interested in attending.
To learn more about the history of the Log Church in Cahokia or to view the mass schedule, visit the Church of the Holy Family website.
Old churches are always wonderful places to see and learn about the history of the communities they serve. Have you visited the oldest church in Illinois? What historic churches around the state have you visited? Please let us know in the comment section.
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