Near Enfield in White County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The First Presbyterian Church In Illinois

Photographed by Jason Voigt, August 11, 2020

1. The First Presbyterian Church In Illinois Marker

Inscription.
In 1816 the Reverend James McGready of Kentucky organized Sharon, the first Presbyterian church in Illinois, with Peter Miller, James Mayes and James Rutledge as ruling elders. Three miles northeast of this site B.F. Spilman, active Presbyterian church organizer, was ordained in 1824; ½ mile east is the present building and the 1817 cemetery.

Erected 1963 by The United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. and the Illinois State Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1816.

Location. 38° 2.175′ N, 88° 20.254′ W. Marker is near Enfield, Illinois, in White County. It is on U.S. 45 south of County Road 1100 North, on the right when traveling north. Marker is in front of private property. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1077 US-45, Enfield IL 62835, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Illinois — Little

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Egypt,

in the Tri-State Region,

and in the Wabash Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Railroads (approx. 3.9 miles away); Business (approx. 3.9 miles away); Schools (approx. 3.9 miles away); Churches (approx. 3.9 miles away); Texas Eastern (approx. 3.9 miles away); Sohio (approx. 3.9 miles away); War Emergency Pipeline (approx. 4 miles away); Southern Illinois College (approx. 4.4 miles away).

Photographed by Jason Voigt, August 11, 2020

2. The First Presbyterian Church In Illinois Marker

Marker is found near the highway. Please note there are no signs that point to this marker, going northbound. People drive fast on this rural highway, and there is hardly a place to pull over, so to marker enthusiasts, be careful.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 363 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 12, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.