County of Church: Gallatin County
Location of church: W. Townshend Ave. & Lincoln Ave., Shawneetown
Phone: (618) 518-0289
Tanking buildings, now, not congregations. The first in Illinois was the Sharon Presbyterian Church, the second built was in Golcona, IL; now lno longer standing; the third was this building, and since Sharon still stands, this is the second oldest STANDING Presbyterian church in Illinois
Text of sign at church:
This Church
The First Congregation
Organized in Shawneetown
1826
And
The Second Oldest
Existing PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH in ILLINOIS.
"This was his [BENJAMIN FRANKLIN SPILMAN] introduction to Southeastern Illinois. There were then only two Presbyterian churches in that part of the State—Sharon, organized in 1816, and Golconda, organized Oct. 24, 1819. With these two churches he at once began his labors, connecting with them such other needy and promising points as he found accessible. One of these was Shawneetown. The exact date of his first sermon there I cannot give, but it was quite at the close of 1823. He found in Shawneetown only one member of the Presbyterian Church—a female. His appointments here at first were only occasional.
"He had fixed his residence in Golconda, probably in the fall of 1824, and must have made that place his home until sometime in 1832. He then removed his family to Shawneetown. In May, 1826, he organized the church at that place (tradition says with six members—all females.) The first communion was held November, 1827, when there were ten members—two males and eight females. As they had no fixed place of worship, they occupied warehouses and private dwellings until 1832, when the “old log church” was erected. This was followed in 1842 by a neat brick edifice. Mr. S. continued to labor here as stated supply, preaching at first monthly, and then bi-monthly, until the death of his wife. Through these three years—from 1832 to 1835—he kept up his itinerant labors. He organized the church at Equality May 26, 1832.
"Immediately after his marriage with Miss Potter, Mr. Spilman removed again to Shawneetown, and resided there till Nov. 9, 1845. He was installed as pastor of Shawneetown; church, April 22, 1843. On the 13th of November, the same year, he buried his son, John Calvin, thirteen years of age. This child gave good evidence of piety.
"His labors during his residence at Shawneetown, from June, 1840, to Nov., 1845, were of the same itinerant character. He had the general care of all the churches in that part of the State. This was true, in a great degree, even after the pastoral relation was formed. That relation was dissolved Oct. 4, 1845." ~ The ILGenWeb The History of the Presbyterian Church in Illinois