Germantown Historic Church

Germantown Historic Church. . New Hope Church was first organized in 1838 by Martin Hodges, licensed preacher. Wilks Brooks, a neighbor and church member, donated this land December 11, 1841, so the church could erect its first sanctuary. On the 30th of that month, when the town of Germantown obtained its charter of incorporation. New Hope Church became known as the Baptist Church of Germantown, and years later the Germantown Baptist Church. By 1860. church membership increased to 67 white and 38 black members. The construction of the original sanctuary was completed in December 1862 by Tom Simmons., The church served as a hospital for Federal forces in the winter of 1862-63. The structure was subsequently destroyed by soldiers of the 3rd Illinois Cavalry Regiment and the 47th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, who dismantled it to support the material needs of the Union troops in camp. It was so stripped of lumber and furniture that it could no longer be used as a place of worship. , In 1870 under the ministry of Pastor J.B. Canada, the church was rebuilt for $800 plus materials by millwright Edward M Cole. In 1903 the Board of Deacons prosecuted a claim against the United States in U.S. Claims Court to seek full compensation for use, occupation and destruction of property by Federal forces during the Civil War. The church received $1250 through the Omnibus Claims Act of 1915., The sanctuary remained in regular use by the church until 1972. The property was acquired by Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, and the church restoration was completed in 2016 to its 1870 appearance.