St. Bride’s History
In 1957, a group of people living in this area gathered to form an Episcopal church here. They began meeting at the Oregon Public Library and in March held their first church service. In February of 1958, five acres of land were purchased just outside of Oregon, Illinois on Route 64. Plans to build a church on that site began. In the meantime, the congregation outgrew the library and began to meet at the Blackhawk Grange Hall outside of Mt. Morris. In June, 136 people gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony. Two years later, on May 29, 1960, the first service was held in the church.
We celebrated our 50th anniversary with a community gathering at Maxson’s in Oregon. The celebration was attended by church members, but also by numerous members of area communities who love St. Bride’s and have had connections with
us over the years.
We are known affectionately in Ogle County as “the church with a heart,” and “the church on the top of Liberty Hill.”
In 1957, a group of people living in this area gathered to form an Episcopal church here. They began meeting at the Oregon Public Library and in March held their first church service. In February of 1958, five acres of land were purchased just outside of Oregon, Illinois on Route 64. Plans to build a church on that site began. In the meantime, the congregation outgrew the library and began to meet at the Blackhawk Grange Hall outside of Mt. Morris. In June, 136 people gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony. Two years later, on May 29, 1960, the first service was held in the church.
We celebrated our 50th anniversary with a community gathering at Maxson’s in Oregon. The celebration was attended by church members, but also by numerous members of area communities who love St. Bride’s and have had connections with
us over the years.
We are known affectionately in Ogle County as “the church with a heart,” and “the church on the top of Liberty Hill.”