Elgin in Kane County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Elgin's First Church

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

1. Elgin's First Church Marker

Inscription. The First Congregational Church of Elgin was organized May 12, 1836 in the log cabin home of James T. Gifford and his wife, Laura Raymond Gifford.

This was the first religious body organized for worship in the new community of Elgin. The Giffords gave a tract of land for each of the following churches: Baptist, Methodist, Roman Catholic. To their own Congregational Church in addition to the original building site, they gave a lifetime of devoted service.

A small chapel for worship was erected near the Gifford home in 1838, and the Congregational Church has occupied various sites over the years.

Charter members of the church George McClure • Sarah G. McClure • Julia McClure • Philo Hatch • Reuben Jenne • James T. Gifford • Laura R. Gifford • Experience Gifford • Ruth G. Dixon

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the United Methodist Church Historic Sites series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 12, 1836.

Location. 42° 2.241′ N, 88° 16.857′ W. Marker is in Elgin, Illinois,

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in Kane County. It is at the intersection of Center Street and Chicago Street, on the right when traveling north on Center Street. The marker is at the southwest corner of the First Congregational Church of Elgin. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 256 East Chicago Street, Elgin IL 60120, 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 territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Promise of Elgin (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veteran Post 49 G.A.R. Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gifford Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Log Cabin Home of James T. Gifford (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Gifford Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Elgin Historic District (approx. ¼ mile away); W.W. I Memorial Davidson Park

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

2. Elgin's First Church Marker

(approx. ¼ mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elgin.

More about this marker. A marker about four blocks south of here at Davidson Memorial Park marks the site of James T. Gifford's log cabin and denotes it as the site of Elgin's First Congregational Church.

Also see . . . First Congregational Church of Elgin official site. (Submitted on May 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.