HISTORY OF THE ANTIOCH CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Fall 1862

• Joel Skelton (resident of Eureka), the three Huston brothers (evangelists and organizers) and Allan Harvey Trowbridge meet at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jonas L. Ball to work on a list of prospective church members. Remain at the Ball home for 1 week.
• 1st meeting was called in the Ball home.  Consisted of preaching, prayer, singing and observance of the Lord's supper.

1863

• New members began holding meetings in family homes.
• Later began meeting in the Palmer School.

June 7, 1864

• Plot of land is given to church by Jonas and Elizabeth Ball to be used for church site and burial ground.
• Public meeting is called to consider building a church.  66 adults were present.  Voted immediately to begin building.
• Church is built at current location of Antioch cemetery.
• Name chosen for organizatin is the "Antioch Christian Church"
• Charter members are:  Trowbridge, Bennington, Stevenson, Carrithers, Boners, Hall, Fetter, Skelton, Shanklin, Heckwith, Miller, Sutton, Pomeroy, Stratton and Ball.

1864 - 1890

• Church dedication ceremony is preached by Leroy Skelton (ordained at Eureka College in 1863).
• Church has no resident pastor.  A.H. Trowbridge, William Carrithers, J.Q.A. Houston, John McCune, George Taylor, John Lidsay, Perry Hogue, J. Carrol Stark, R.A. Gilcrist, Bro. Berry, F.M. Parker, T.H. Meridith and J.W. Hiatt took turns preaching.

1872

• The church receives its first coat of paint for a wedding.

1890 - 1896

• Church is moved to "Old Town".
• S.D. Vauter becomes first minister at new location.
• S.S. Lappin follows Vauter and is minister for two years.  During ministry, a Ladie's Aid Society and Missionary Society is organized.
• First parsonage is built.  SS. Lappin brought his bride, Clara Brock to new parsonage.

1896

• D.W. Misener is minister.  Church votes to build a new church.
• New church is built on the corner of Oak Street and Topeka Avenue by Harry C. Holmes.
• Old church is sold to the First Baptist Church of Toluca

March 1, 1896

• New church is dedicated. Ministers from Rutland and Pattonsburg participate.
• Rev. B.J. Radford of Eureka preaches the dedication sermon.
• Church is free of debt at the time of dedication.

1902

• First parsonage is sold.
• New parsonage is built next to new church

The Antioch Christian Church and parsonage - Early 1900's
Courtesy of Nelle Yvonne (nee Timlin) Mastalio

March 1947

• New basement is added under the church
• New heating plant is purchased.
• Interior of church is modernizes and redecorated.
• A organ is installed in the sanctuary as a memorial to the service men.

February 1948

• Parsonage is remodeled.
• The $17,000 of improvements were paid for in full one month following the rededication February 15, 1948.

1948 - 1962

• Spinet piano, outdoor bulletin board, foundation plantings, fire escape and garage are added to church.
• Missionary effort is expanded
• Church is giving approximately 35% of its annual income for missions.
• Funds are being accumulated toward eventual new construction.

Taken about 1960 - Antioch Christian Church
Courtesy of Nelle Yvonne (nee Timlin) Mastalio

Ocober 20 - 21, 1962

• Antioch Christian Church observes the Centennial of its founding.
• Speakers are Mr. Melvin Fiscus, Creve Couer Christian Church; Mr. Hugh York, Central Christian Church, Beloit, Wisconsin; Mr. Leon Appel, Lincoln Christian Church, Lincoln, Illinois

New church  is built

Old church  is torn down and used for building materials.

1997

• New parsonage  is purchased
• Old parsonage is sold to Keith Mastalio

Ministers of Antioch Christian Church, Toluca, Illinois

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Ministers serving while the church was located in the Cemetery.

Ministers serving while the church was located in the "Old Town"

Ministers serving while the church was located at Oak and Topeka

Ministers Serving at the present location - 700 N. Main Street

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