For 166 years, St. John’s Episcopal Church has stood as a pillar in Decatur, Illinois.  Friends began meeting and a simple wooden chapel was erected at Eldorado and Water Streets created from architect Richard Upjohn’s plans. In the early days, leaders came and went with great frequency. Parishioners soon learned that they were the foundation of the church and were responsible for its future.  

This "Definitive History Of St. John’s Episcopal Church" serves as a reminder that the future is now and is the culmination of exhaustive research into the rectors, families, buildings, and Episcopal worship in Decatur, Illinois, from 1855-2021.
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The book is more than 800 pages in length with full color and the price to print each book is approximately $90.00.  St. John's will be selling the books at cost (this is NOT a fundraiser) and they can be picked up locally in Decatur, Illinois.  

A local non-profit organization, The Illinois Preservation Guild, has agreed to help sponsor part of the cost of these books (up to a total of $2,000.00) to make them more affordable for parishioners and community members.  Therefore, the cost for the book is $50 per copy until this grant is exhausted.  The anticipated initial delivery date is May 23, 2021 and payment is expected at that time.  Books will be available most Sunday mornings or by leaving a message at the church office (217) 428-4461.  Because shipping for the books is approximately $20 due to weight and dimensions, local pickup is preferred.

Forms of payments will include Cash, Check (made out to the Illinois Preservation Guild), or venmo (@illinoispreservationguild).  

Additional purchase options from online retailers may be available at a later date (including an option for shipping).