The first meeting, conducted by Knowles Shaw, was held June 18, 1875 in a tent in Central Park. The members living in Sterling and Rock Falls were Mr. and Mrs. E. Brookfield, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Detweiler, Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Nance, George Nance, W. F. Eastman, and Florence Burgess. The church was organized June 27, 1875, and the first trustees were W. F. Eastman, R. B. Colcord, and E. Brookfield. The first elders, George Nance, R. B. Coleord, J. S. Detweiler. The first deacons, E. Brookfield, J. D. Nance, W. H. Shepperd, David Grubb. The superintendent of the Sunday school was W. F. Eastman. The pastor was J. N. Smith. The first meeting after that in the park was held in Wallace Hall, the next Sunday in Boynton Hall, and in Aug. 15, 1875, in Colcord Hall. The first of the little band to pass away was Ephraim Brookfield, Jan. 10, 1876. Rev. J. H. Wright became pastor in October, 1876, and remained three years. The first church was dedicated Feb. 1, 1880. It stands on Locust street, and is now, after being remodeled, used as the armory. T. W. Grafton was the next pastor. Desiring a change of situation and better facilities for their work, the society in 1888 purchased the brick building formerly occupied by St. Patrick’s congregation, on Sixth street and Second avenue. Smaller rooms were formed from the main auditorium, and various changes made to adapt it to the needs of the church. Besides the pastors mentioned have been F. L. Moffet, Silas Jones, W. E. Spicer. Silas Jones is now professor in Eureka College. Two promising young members were nurtured in the society, Stephen Zendt and Louis 0. Lehman. A missionary in India Miss Mary Kingsbury. The present pastor is Ira L. Parvin. The superintendent of the Sunday School is W.J. Moore, the marble mason. The usual societies. There are 200 members in the church and 110 pupils in the Sunday School.

History of Whiteside County - Davis, 1908