The earliest mention of an Episcopal congregation meeting in Pekin was in a report to the diocesan convention in 1838. This group was meeting in a schoolroom across from the Tazewell County courthouse. This school was subsequently moved to the corner of Broadway and Buena Vista in Pekin, where the Episcopal congregation continued to hold their worship services. In 1851, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church was admitted to the diocese as an independent parish. In 1867, the congregation purchased the lot at the corner of Buena Vista and Washington Streets, the site of our church today. The recorded price for the lot was $1200. The foundation for the new building was laid in 1870.The congregation continued to meet in the school at Broadway and Buena Vista until 1874 when the new church building was completed. The new St. Paul’s was consecrated in 1876. Historical records of Tazewell County note that the new church consisted of “two stories proper, a brick basement and main auditorium. The building is of Gothic style of architecture and about 35 by 85 feet in size.” The beautiful stained glass windows of St. Paul’s are original to the building and were purchased and shipped from England when the church was built. The church’s original organ was a Hinner, an instrument actually produced at the Hinner Organ factory in Pekin. This organ was replaced in 1938 with a Moeller organ, which was dedicated in the spring of 1939.In the late 1800s and into the early 1900’s, the Episcopal Church owned and maintained the Cathedral Grammar School which was eventually sold to the Board of Education of Pekin. It became the site of the original Jefferson School on S. Capitol Street. Part of the proceeds from the sale of the Cathedral School were used to build the rectory just west of St. Paul’s church. The steam heating plant from the school building was installed in the church at this time, the basement was finished, and electricity was installed in the church.
In about 1954, needing more room for the Sunday school classes, the congregation voted to purchase a property across the street from the church for $12,000 and convert it into classrooms on the main floor. The upper floor was turned into an apartment and rented out. This building was called “Episcopal House.” Besides its use for Sunday school classes, St. Paul’s congregation also allowed the classrooms to be used during the week for classes for special needs students from the community. In 1960, the Pekin Board of Education wanted to expand the grounds of Washington School and purchased Episcopal House from St. Paul’s for $20,000. The Pekin Board of Education allowed St. Paul’s to continue to use Episcopal House for their Sunday school classes until 1962.At this same time, the leadership of St. Paul’s voted to purchase the property directly north of the church for the construction of an education building. The house existing on that site was sold and moved to another location and the existing education building was completed in the fall of 1962.
The people of St. Paul’s have always been very involved with their church and their community. They have been active participants in diocesan business attending and hosting many conventions, participating in the election of bishops, and so on. St. Paul’s congregation has also been very involved with the local community. During World War II, approximately 30 young people from St. Paul’s served in the military.
The grounds of St. Paul’s have been renovated several times over the years, providing a pleasant setting for the church, rectory, and education building.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church is one of the oldest churches in the city. It is a lovely structure and a wonderful place to worship. If you enjoy historical buildings and beautiful stained glass windows, it is certainly worth a visit to St. Paul's. We look forward to seeing you!
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