Norris City in White County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Churches

The Building of a Town

Photographed by Jason Voigt, June 9, 2026

1. Churches Marker

Inscription.
As the pioneers arrived in the Norris City Area, many brought their religious customs and church preference with them and soon established their houses of worship. At first, they met in homes, but later started building log churches from the timbers in the area. Old Sharon Presbyterian Church, north of the area, is the oldest Presbyterian Church in the state, organized in 1816. Ebenezer Methodist started in 1832 near Bear Creek. The Cumberland Presbyterian was organized in 1876. The First United Methodist in town, was organized in 1898 followed by the Missionary Baptist in 1901 and the General Baptist in 1902. In later years, the Church of God started in 1944 and the Christian Church in 1954. The Presbyterian Church was organized in 1906, then united with the Cumberland Presbyterian in 1958, worshipping together in the beautiful brick building with stained glass windows from Germany. The churches have played an important part in the city's progress.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1816.

Location. 37° 58.826′ N, 88° 19.726′ W.

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Marker is in Norris City, Illinois, in White County. It is on South Division Street (U.S. 45) south of Main Street (County Route 16), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 108 S Division St, Norris City IL 62869, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Illinois — Little 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 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Schools (within shouting distance of this marker); Business (within shouting distance of this marker); Sohio (within shouting distance of this marker); Texas Eastern (within shouting distance of this marker); Railroads (within shouting distance of this marker); War Emergency Pipeline (approx.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, June 9, 2026

2. Churches Marker

0.7 miles away); The First Presbyterian Church In Illinois (approx. 3.9 miles away); Southern Illinois College (approx. 8.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norris City.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 9, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.