Cicero in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

First Church in the Town of Cicero

5930 W. 28th Street

— 1874-Present —

First Church in the Town of Cicero Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, January 9, 2025

1. First Church in the Town of Cicero Marker

Inscription. This church was built in 1874 in the rural prairie of Cicero when only horse and buggy were the main modes of transportation. The church was built in the spirit of faith, service, dedication and love. The original structure stood on the corner of 27th Street and 59th Avenue (then called Clyde Ave) facing west with a memorial bell and no basement. It was the first Protestant (Methodist) Church in Cicero.

In 1888 the property became home of the Clyde Home Missionary. In 1893, the Clyde Methodist Episcopal Church (which later became the First Methodist Church) purchased the property. They put in a basement and turned the structure to face south. They then added a parsonage, which today is used as classrooms.

In 1957, the First Methodist Church sold the church to Berean Bible Students Church. The memorial bell was removed from the tower and now can be found on the grounds of the Wesley United Methodist Church (6011 W. 36th Street). In 2000, the site was purchased by the Good Shepherd Church of God who now occupies the church.

Erected 2007 by Town of Cicero.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed

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in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells, and the United Methodist Church Historic Sites series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.

Location. 41° 50.398′ N, 87° 46.327′ W. Marker is in Cicero, Illinois, in Cook County. It is at the intersection of 28th Street and 59th Court, on the left when traveling east on 28th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5930 West 28th Street, Cicero IL 60804, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: George Washington 200th Anniversary (approx. 0.2 miles away); Berwyn, Illinois (approx. 0.6 miles away); Berwyn Car Spindle

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, January 9, 2025

2. First Church in the Town of Cicero Marker

(approx. 0.6 miles away); 5953 W. Cermak (approx. ¾ mile away); T.G. Masaryk Czech School (approx. ¾ mile away); a different marker also named T.G. Masaryk Czech School (approx. ¾ mile away); World War I Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); A Road Well Traveled (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cicero.

More about this marker. The marker features two identical signs, one facing the intersection and the other facing the church.

Regarding First Church in the Town of Cicero. The church bell that is referenced on the sign indeed still exists in front of the church building a mile south of here on 36th Street, although the Methodist Church there seems to have left.

Also see . . . $25K worth of flood damage to oldest church in Cicero. WGN-TV in 2023 reports on flooding that damaged Cicero's oldest church. (Submitted on January 10, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Good Shepherd Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, January 9, 2025

3. Good Shepherd Church

Bell from Cicero First Methodist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, January 9, 2025

4. Bell from Cicero First Methodist Church

The bell referenced on the sign is indeed still on display as of January 2025, about a mile south of its original site, although Wesley United Methodist Church appears to not inhabit this building anymore.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 10, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 303 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 10, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.