County of church: White County
Location of church: between County rd. 240E, just off county rd. 1650N, ½ mile E. of US-45, Between Norris City & Enfield
"Old Sharon Church, located in the Sacramento community between Enfield and Norris City, will reopen late this week.
"Services are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17 and Saturday, Sept. 18, featuring gospel preaching by Pastor Loy L. Barger and Brother Joe Poirot. Special music will be provided by Richard and Elaine Wilson, on harp, violin and guitar.
"The church is approximately three miles north of Norris City and 3 1/2 miles south of the Enfield intersection. Travelers using U.S. 45 should turn east on County Road 1050 North, proceed about a half-mile and then turn left and drive up a lane.
"Old Sharon was the first Presbyterian church established in Illinois, tracing its roots to 1816. The congregation used a succession of three log churches in the area before relocating in 1864 to the present site, next to a cemetery and alongside what was the stagecoach road.
"Presbyterian services there ceased in 1987, but in 2008 several residents of the area began an effort to refurbish the old frame church building so that it could be used once again for worship.
"The result was the formation of the Friends and Family of Old Sharon Church, a not-for-profit organization, and the Indian Creek Township Cemetery Trustees leased the building to the organization more than two years ago.
"According to an article by local historian Ed Oliver, published in this week’s Norris City Banner, “The walls and ceiling have been redone; the floor has been carpeted; a new roof has been put on the building; and new church seats have been installed. The framework for a bathroom has been completed, but the bathroom remains uncompleted.
'“Before this work started, the roof was leaking, parts of the ceiling was hanging down inside, and plastering was off of the walls in large chunks. The building almost looked like it was beyond repair when you first stepped inside the building,” Oliver wrote.
"The work of the volunteers who have refurbished the church building was also the subject of a lengthy article by Randy Olson in the Wayne-Whtie Counties Electric Cooperative newsletter.
"Anita Peyton, who spoke with The Times about the reopening, said the public is cordially invited to attend this week’s services and those to come on subsequent Friday and Saturday evenings.
"Contributions are also welcome and may be made to Friends and Family of Old Sharon Church, c/o Jerry Peyton, Treasurer, 235 County Road 1100 North, Enfield, IL 62835." ~ The Carmi Times, Sept. 17, 2010