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

First Methodist Church of Evanston

Organized 1854

— This edifice erected Oct. 15, 1911 —

First Methodist Church of Evanston Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 25, 2025

1. First Methodist Church of Evanston Marker

Inscription.
Evanston Lakeshore Historic District
Evanston's first church has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is October 15, 1911.

Location. 42° 2.831′ N, 87° 40.651′ W. Marker is in Evanston, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on Hinman Avenue south of Church Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 516 Church Street, Evanston IL 60201, 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: Northwestern University's First Building

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(about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Frances E. Willard (1839-1898) / Woman's Christian Temperance Union (about 700 feet away); The First House of Worship in Evanston (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Chandler's Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fountain Square Veterans Memorial Wall (approx. 0.2 miles away); W. Russell Arrington (approx. ¼ mile away); Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity (approx. ¼ mile away); Evanston War Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Evanston.

More about this marker. The church is included in the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing structure within the Evanston Lakeshore Historic District.

Regarding First Methodist Church of Evanston. Northwestern University was founded in the early 1850s by devout Methodists. They created a congregation that worshipped at temporary locations until 1856, when they completed their first permanent church building about two blocks west of here. (A historical marker next to the Evanston Public Library at Church Street and Orrington Avenue marks the spot of the church.) In 1872, the growing congregation built

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 25, 2025

2. First Methodist Church of Evanston Marker

a new, bigger church at this new site. In 1909, the spire of that building was deemed structurally unsound, and the church decided to raze the entire buliding and create a new one. Architect Thomas Eddy Tallmadge, a member of the church, designed the building, which opened in 1911.

The church's former parishoners include John Evans, one of Northwestern's founders and Evanston's namesake; Frances Willard, the women's suffragist and temperance leader; and Maria Murray Robinson, Evanston's first Black resident.

Also see . . .
1. First Methodist Church of Evanston: Our Building.

Excerpt: "The current building, designed by Thomas Eddy Tallmadge, an architect and church member, was dedicated in 1911. The Neo-Gothic structure has since become an iconic feature of the town’s landscape. The main sanctuary contains many elements of traditional cathedral architecture, such as stained-glass windows and an elaborate, carved wood altar. The First Church building also encompasses Tittle Chapel, used for smaller gatherings, as well as multiple classrooms, meeting spaces, and a commercial-sized kitchen."

(Submitted on May 29, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Thomas Eddy Tallmadge’s architecture.

First Methodist Church of Evanston image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 25, 2025

3. First Methodist Church of Evanston

The Evanston Round Table reviews the architect of Thomas Tallmadge, who was a member of First Methodist Church and designed its current building, which opened in 1911.

Excerpt: "While their early work was residential, Tallmadge and Watson’s first important nonresidential commission was the 1909 Gothic Revival First Methodist Church in Evanston. By 1914, they had designed over 30 churches and were known for their ecclesiastical work, which also included Evanston’s Colonial Revival First Congregational Church on Hinman Avenue."

(Submitted on May 29, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 182 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 29, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.