History

M. E. CHURCH
  ERECTED 1868
  BURNED 1898
  REBUILT 1898
 

The cornerstone of the First United Church of Lebanon, 603 West St Louis St., Lebanon, Il, bears the above inscription. Construction of the first building at this location was begun in 1867, and the church was dedicated in 1872. Methodism in Lebanon, however, pre-dates 1868 by at least 45 years. According to the McKendree College Centennial History, 1828, which quotes an old quarterly conference record, a Methodist preaching place was established in Lebanon in 1823.

In 1852 the Methodists built their first building in Lebanon, a brick structure costing $7,500. A fire in Dec. 1860 left the congregation again without a home of its own, and meetings were held for the most part in McKendree's new chapel until 1867. A new building was opened in 1868 on our present location. Membership at that time was about 200.

This tall-spired church building also burned on Sunday morning, April 3, 1898. Plans were made immediately for a new building which was quickly constructed at a cost of $10,000 and was dedicated, debt free, on Sunday, Dec. 4, 1898.

The Methodist congregation in Lebanon continues to worship in a building that is now over 100 years old. The perseverance and faith of our forefathers has made this church a "Family of God" looking forward to an everlasting presence in our city of Lebanon.

A more comprehensive church history can be found in the Centennial book published in 1998 which is available for review in the church office.