Churches have been a staple of America ever since it’s discovery. Many of these churches have established records over their existence relating to membership and vital records, such as baptisms, marriages and funerals. In the state of Illinois, Methodism has played a large part of local existence since the early 1800’s. Unfortunately, as rural communities become smaller, and as the makeup and religious background of communities change, local churches sometimes close their doors. The following collection of material reflects 250 churches of the Methodist faith which have closed their doors since 1824 in southern and central Illinois. This region makes up the Illinois Great Rivers United Methodist Conference.
While the vast majority of the information relates to membership rolls and registers of officials, many of the churches also kept vital records of their members. Ancestry claims that “Baptism records are available until 1914, and Marriage records are available until 1970.” In fact I found baptism records which occurred after 1914, however, they’re not indexed. They appear in the records on the images only. You’ll need to know the church your ancestor attended to browse through the records, and/or the town. See the attached image as an example of a more modern list of baptisms. You’ll find that you are unable to save the images to a person in your tree in the usual fashion because these images are not indexed. Instead, you can save it as a Web Link to someone in your tree.
These records are in tabulated books, which look much like are more modern spreadsheets. There were columns for which the secretary could record events. I found the baptisms and deaths were recorded in alphabetical order of the first letter of their last name, and then in date order. So a page or two would be reserved for each letter of the alphabet. The marriage records were recorded in alphabetical order of the first letter of the last name of the groom, and then in date order.
Each baptism record may contains the name of the subject, name of the subjects parents, whether the subject was an adult or infant when baptized, date of birth, place of birth, date of baptism, officiating minister, and “when and how disposed of” which normally would be filled out that they were received into membership, “received in full”. These were indexed and available through their search up to the year 1914.
Each marriage record may contain the name of the parties being married, each of their residence (town and state), the date of the marriage, the location of the marriage, and the officiating minister. These were indexed and available through their search up to the year 1970.
Each death record contains the name of the deceased, date of death, date and place of funeral, and the minister of the funeral. These are all indexed and searchable.
Eaach membership record provides the names and dates of admission, and how the member was received into the church. These are all indexed and searchable.
These records are housed at the Pfeiffer Library, MacMurray College, Jacksonville, Illinois. You may be able to access them for free by visiting the library. However, the only online version I have found is that located at Ancestry, which requires one of their memberships. You can sign up using a 14 day free trial if you wish to try out their service.
Illinois, Methodist Church Vital Records, 1824-2009
- Adair
- Membership, 1970-1985
- Alexander
- Membership Register, 1865-1933
- Membership Register, 1927-2003, Alphabetical
- Alexis
- Alexis UBC Membership Record, 1921-1974
- Alexis UBC Membership Record, 1922-1940, 1973
- Membership Record Book, 1985-1995
- Membership Register, 1927-1985
- Allenville
- Membership Book, 1910-1971
- Alta Sita
- Membership Book, 1911-1920
- Membership Book, 1920-1940
- Membership Register, 1929-1957
- Membership Roll, Amsbury – Young
- Alton
- Alton Station Membership Register, 1858-1871
- Alton Station Membership Register, 1867-1877
- Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals, 1918-1958
- Membership Book, 1877-1883
- Membership Book, 1903-1907
- Membership Book, 1910-1913
- Membership Book, 1912-1920
- Membership Record, 1960-1989
- Membership Record, 1963-2001
- Membership Record, 1991-2005
- Membership Register, 1897-1904
- Membership Roll, 1913-1969, A-F
- Membership Roll, 1913-1969, G-N
- Membership Roll, 1913-1969, O-Z
- Membership Roll, 1923-2000
- Alton: St Mark´s
- Membership Record, 1954-1970
- Anchor
- Membership Register, 1911-1996
- Andover
- Membership and Church Record, 1923-1971
- Membership Register, 1893-1947
- Anna
- Membership Register, 1961-1999
- Antioch
- Membership Register, 1916-1964
- Aroma Park
- Membership Book, 1930-1947
- Arrowsmith
- Membership Register, 1872-1950
- Membership Register, 1950-1981
- Asbury Chapel
- Membership Roll, Bryant – York
- Bardolph
- Baptisms, Marriages and Death Record, 1939-1994
- Memberhsip Register and Church Records, 1959-1973
- Memberhsip Register, 1959-1999
- Basco
- Membership Roll, Ayers-Wiseman
- Bay Valley
- Membership Register, 1961-1981
- Beaucoup
- Membership Book, 1943-1981
- Belle Rive
- Membership Register, 1902-1911
- Berdan Circuit
- Ideal Church Record, 1910-1927
- Bethel: Hoyleton
- Membership Roll, Brink-Wacker
- Bloomfield Circuit
- Membership Book, 1865-1879
- Bloomington Circuit
- Circuit Book, 1856-1893
- Boyleston
- Membership Roll, 1920-1980
- Breeds
- Membership Register, Reorganized Aug 1, 1952
- Bridgeport: Bethel
- Membership Book, 1953-1997
- Buckhorn
- Membership Records, 1944-1954
- Buckingham
- Membership Book, 1903-1997
- Membership Book, 1951-1965
- Buckingham: Herscher
- Membership Book, 1890-1945
- Buckley: Del Rey
- Membership Register, 1920-1962
- Buda
- Historical Record of Permanent Data, 1916-1951
- Membership Book, 1889-1921
- Membership Book, 1917-1939
- Membership Book, 1954-1992
- Membership Book, 1983-2006
- Membership Roll
- Record of Baptisms, 1824-1879
- Cameron
- Membership Book, 1875-1926
- Campus
- Membership Register, 1886-1925
- Canton
- Membership Record, 1852-1972
- Membership Record, 1906-1933
- Carley Chapel
- Membership Register, 1939-1951
- Casner
- Membership Record, 1961-1981
- Centenary: Jacksonville
- Church Record, 1882-1899
- Membership Records, 1873-1882
- Membership Records, 1874-1910
- Membership Records, 1890s
- Membership Records, 1900-1913
- Center Chapel
- Membership Book, 1928-1958
- Membership Book, Alphabetical Index
- Central Church
- Membership Book, 1938-1959
- Chandlerville
- Circuit Record Book, 1869-1877
- Membership and Church Record, 1893-1999
- Membership Book, 1940-1985
- Membership Record, 1942-1954
- Chapin
- Membership Record, 1943-1972
- Charlotte
- Membership Register, 1927-1961
- Membership Register, 1963-1982
- Membership Register, 1987-1989
- Cisne: New Salem
- Membership Roll, 1964-1978
- Clarksburg
- Membership Record, 1932-2002
- Membership Record, 1984-2003
- Clarksdale
- Church Register, 1915-1929
- Clarksville
- Membership Book, 1929-1957
- Clifton
- Ideal Church Record, 1913-1947
- Membership Register, 1939-1959
- Membership Register, 1959-1985
- Membership Roll, 1935-1972
- Clover Chapel
- Membership Book, 1970-2007
- Cooksville
- Membership Register, 1894-1934
- Membership Register, 1924-1940
- Membership Register, 1963-1969
- Corinth: Macedonia
- Membership Book, 1946-1998
- Cornland
- Membership Register, 1907-1947
- Curran
- Membership Register, 1944-1983
- Dallas City
- Membership Book, 1873-1896
- Membership Book, 1888-1920
- Membership Book, 1912-1937
- Membership Book, 1985-2007
- Membership Record, 1929-1942
- Membership Record, 1943-1947
- Membership Roll, 1927-1964
- Membership Roll, 1947-1985
- Dana
- Membership Register, 1906-1930
- Danville Evangelical
- Membership Record, 1934-1948
- Membership Record, 1947-1967
- Membership Record, 1967-1990
- Membership Register, 1911-1934
- Danville Fifth
- Church Records, 1855-1920
- Membership, 1865-1883
- Darwin
- Membership Record, 1937-1964
- Decatur
- Baptisms, Marriages, Prepatory Meetings, 1900-1999
- Ideal Church Record, 1914-1920
- Membership Record System, 1968-2001
- Membership Register, 1939-1956
- Membership Register, 1956-1985
- Membership Removal, A-G
- Membership Removal, H-O
- Membership Removal, P-Z
- Membership Roll, A-Z
- Official Church Record, 1922-1984
- Decatur Third
- Membership Record, 1902-1953
- Membership Register, 1954-1996
- Deland
- DeLand Membership Roll, ca 1870s-1891
- DeLand Permanent Membership Roll, 1922-1950 ca
- DeLand Permanent Membership Roll, 1950-2002
- DeLand Permanent Membership Roll, 1951-1965 ca.
- Ideal Church Record, 1909-1920
- Membership Book, 1892-1921
- Membership Roll, Aldrich-Wood
- Dennison
- Membership Register, 1960-1987
- Deselm
- Membership Register, 1954-1990
- Membership Register, 1961-1986
- Membership Roll, 1889-1949
- Membership Roll, 1946-1964
- Dewey
- Membership Roll
- Dewey: Beulah
- Membership book, 1897-1935
- Disco
- Membership Roll, 1962-1985
- East Bethel
- Membership Book, 1942-1962
- East St Louis
- Church Records, 1918-1943
- Membership Book, 1929-1960s (Baptisms Only)
- Membership Book, 1960s
- Membership Book, 1964-1974
- Membership Register, 1946-1960
- Membership Removal Roll, 1950-1960s
- Membership Removals, A-J
- Membership Removals, K-Z
- Membership Roll, 1919-Current
- Membership Rolls, 1920-1950s
- Membership Rolls, 1950-1960s
- Official Church Record, 1925-1950
- El Dara
- Membership Register, 1873-1919
- Membership Register, 1956-2000
- Elba
- Membership Record, 1941-1962
- Elliott
- Church Records, 1961-1996
- Membership Register, 1899-1957
- Ellis
- Membership Register, 1901-1965
- Emden Zion
- Membership and Quarterly Conference Minutes, 1902-1947
- Membership Register, 1940-1972
- Membership, 1924-1984
- Membership, 1976-2000
- Emmanuel: Rural Fairbury
- Membership Book, 1989
- Membership Register, 1987-1989
- Epworth: Belleville
- Membership and Church Records, 1957-1970
- Membership Records, 1923-1977
- Membership Records, 1970-1973
- Eylar
- Official Church Record and Membership Roll, 1928-1960
- Fairview
- Circuit Membership, 1877-1927
- Membership Record, 1873-1882
- Membership Record, 1883-1917
- Membership Record, 1922-1958
- Membership Record, 1958-1969
- Membership Register, 1944-1996
- Membership, Baptisms and Marriages, 1857-1882
- Fall Creek
- Membership Book, 1946-1992
- Membership Book, 1977-1998
- Ferris
- Membership Book, 1929-1950
- Filson
- Ideal Church Record, 1905-1967
- Flanagan
- Ideal Church Record
- Register of Church Membership
- Flora Faith
- Membership Register, 1962-1989
- Foosland
- Membership, 1907-1954
- French´s Chapel: Pleasant Valley
- Membership Roll, 1912-1943
- Friendship
- Membership, 1899-1926
- Galesburg
- Church Records, 1895-1917
- Membership Record, 1856-1882
- Membership Records, 1875-1882
- Record of Baptisms, 1860-1873
- Galesville
- Membership Book, 1897-1996
- Garland
- Register of Church Membership, 1951-1973
- Garrett
- Membership and Church Record, 1950-1973
- Gays
- Church Membership, Baptismal, Marriage Records, 1975-1997
- Church School Register, 1940, 1954-195
- Glenarm
- Membership Register, 1952-1981
- Golden
- Church Records, 1893-1914
- Church Records, 1935-1952
- Church Records, 1952-1968
- Ideal Church Record, 1914-1946
- Good Hope
- Membership Record, 1932-1974
- Gordon Chapel
- Membership Register, 1946-1993
- Membership, 1909-1959
- Grace: Danville
- Historical Record of Permanent Data, 1919-1959
- Membership and Church Record, 1956-1978
- Membership Roll, 1938-1966
- Register of Church Membership, 1923-1949
- Grace: Quincy
- Membership Records, 1926-1962
- Membership Register, 1921-1980
- Grace: Streator
- Membership, 1935-1978
- Granville
- Membership Register, 1946 (revised)-1975
- Membership Register, 1966-1973
- Green Hill: Palestine
- Membership Book, 1955-1979
- Green Rock
- Official Membership Record, 1952-1961
- Grove City
- Ideal Church Record, 1899-1925
- Membership Register, 1888-1900
- Membership, Baptismal, Marriage Records and Historical Record, Historical Record
- Groveland Circuit
- Register for Groveland Circuit, 1851
- Groveland: Morton: Pleasant Hill
- Membership Records, 1898-1900
- Hagarstown
- Membership Register, 1925-1997
- Harmony
- Membership Roll, 1908-1968
- Membership Roll, 1947-1981
- Harmony: Kansas
- Membership Register, ca 1886-1980
- Hartsburg: Emden
- Membership, 1878-1902
- Henderson
- Membership Register, 1911-1928
- Henning
- Membership Roll, 1921
- Membership Roll, 1921-1969
- Henton
- Membership Register, 1909-1947
- Membership Register, 1956-1985
- Hermon
- Official Membership Register, 1952-1964
- Hettick
- Membership Record, 1940
- Membership Register, 1952-1991
- Hope Church
- IGRC Closed Church: an inventory of the records of Streator Hope, 1964-2004
- Hoyleton
- Church Records
- Membership Roll
- Hunstville: Shiloh
- Membership, 1919-1987
- Membership, 1971-2000
- Membership, 1987-2002
- Ipava
- Historical Record of Permanent Data, 1925-1948
- Ivesdale
- Membership Record, Updated in 1930, 1930-1955
- Jacksonville
- Baptisms and Marriages, 1864-1872
- Jacksonville East
- Ideal Church Record, 1908-1927
- Jacksonville Station
- Record of Church Members in the MEC
- Jacksonville: Hebron
- Membership Roll, 1875-1939
- Johnsonville: Mt Olive
- Membership Register, 1910-1966
- Keensburg
- Membership Register, 1933-1980
- Membership Roll, 1933-1980
- Keithsburg
- Membership Book, 1950-1963
- Membership Book, 1963-1987
- Membership Roll, 1963-1988
- Kell
- Membership Register, 1911-2000
- Kilbourne
- Membership, 1914-1917
- Membership, 1946-1948 (Chronological)
- Membership, 1946-1966 (Individuals)
- Membership, 1946-1977 (By Family Name)
- Lenzburg
- Church Records and History, 1846-1978
- Lexington
- Membership Register and Church Records, Updated in 1982
- Membership Register, 1911-1960
- Membership Register, 1963-1988
- Membership Register, 1988-1994
- Liberty Hill
- Church Records, 1967-1988
- Church Register and Record, 1943-1997
- Little York
- Membership Book, 1911-1998
- Membership Book, 1940-1998
- Liverpool
- Church Record, 1909-1956
- Membership Roll, 1960-1978
- Livingston
- Membership Roll, 1966-1978
- Logan
- Membership Register, 1950-1996
- Longview
- Membership Record, 1970-2002
- Lowder
- Official Membership and Church Record, 1961-1967
- Lynn Chapel: Morrelville
- Membership Record, 1918-1919, 1927
- Lynnville
- Membership Roll
- Record of Membership
- Macedonia: Atwood
- Church Record, 1950-1963
- Madison First
- Membership Book, 1917-1972
- Membership Book, 1932-1991
- Membership Book, 1945-1996
- Membership Roll, 1914-1949
- Majorville
- Membership Record, 1922-1943
- Makanda
- Membership Book, 1968-1971
- Makanda: Oak Grove
- Membership Book, 1968-1971
- Membership Register, 1968-2005
- Manito Circuit
- Historical Record
- Manville
- Membership Register, 1941
- Maquon
- Church Record, 1876-1905
- Church Record, 1886-1980
- Marietta
- Church Register, 1893-1936
- Mason City Circuit
- Circuit Minutes, 1854-1885
- Mattoon
- Church Record, 1958-1969
- Family Membership Roll
- Mayview
- Membership Register, 1940-1982
- Membership Register, 1978-1982
- McCollum Chapel
- Membership Roll, 1923-1968
- Official Church Record, 1923-1951
- McKendree: Mt Erie
- Membership Book, 1905-1984
- McLean
- Circuit Memberhsip Book, 1855-1867
- Mechanicsburg
- Church Records, 1888-1912
- Comprehensive Church Record, 1879-1888
- Ideal Church Record, 1908-1932
- Official Membership and Church Record, 1958-1994
- Media
- Membership Record, ca 1920-1949
- Merritt
- Merritt Membership Record, 1907-1949
- Merritt Membership Record, 1950-1967
- Merritt: Jacksonville
- Membership Record, 1949-1970
- Middlegrove
- Membership and Church Record, 1963-1978
- Mill Shoals
- Membership Book, 1911-1922
- Membership Book, 1916-1961
- Membership Book, 1923-1927
- Official Membership and Church Record, 1931-1935
- Official Membership and Church Record, 1944-1994
- Moulton
- Membership Book, 1962-2004
- Mount Pleasant
- Membership Book, 1875-1889
- Mt Erire
- Membership Book, 1961-1986
- Mt Gilead
- Membership Register, 1921-1997
- Mt Sterling
- Membership Record, 1920-1960
- New Holland
- Membership Register, 1940-1968
- New Hope Society
- Membership Record, 1869-1965
- New Rutland Circuit
- Membership Book, 1868-1887
- Nigh Chapel
- Membership Record, 1941 – 1999
- Nigh Chapel: Long Point
- Membership Book, 1895-1953
- Nilwood
- Membership Register, 1915-1957
- North Prairie
- Church Records, 1852-1912
- Ideal Church Record, 1913-1951
- Not Stated
- Membership Records, Alphabetical
- Pastoral Record, 1913-1966 (E H Sauer)
- Pastoral Record, 1916-1970 (Edgar B Morton)
- Pastoral Record, 1917-1967
- Pastoral Record, 1935-1999 (Floyd E Brewer)
- Oakley
- Church Record, 1946-2000
- Membership Book, 1957-2002
- Oakley UBC Circuit, 1881-1957
- Oconee
- Official Membership and Church Record, 1951-1957
- Official Membership and Church Record, 1954-1999
- Ohlman
- Church Membership Record, 1942-1951
- Church Membership Record, 1952-1989
- Olive: Casey Circuit
- Membership Record, 1950-1984
- Olney Circuit
- Church Record, 1934-1955
- Church Record, 1964-1981
- Opdyke
- Ideal Church Record, 1913-1939
- Oraville
- Membership Roll, 1959-1988
- Patterson: Clay City
- Membership Register, 1952-1971
- Pennington Point
- Membership Book, 1950-1969
- Membership Record, 1869-1882
- Membership Record, 1882-1902
- Membership Record, 1902-1918
- Peoria
- Membership Book, 1852-1959
- Petersburg
- Church Records, 1868-1886
- Philipstown
- Official Membership and Church Record, 1947-1960
- Official Membership and Church Record, 1957-1983
- Phillipstown: Crossville
- Membership Roll, 1960-1974
- Pilot Grove: Adair
- Membership Records, 1871-1921
- Pleasant Grove: Mt Vernon
- Membership Records, 1901-1978
- Pleasant Hill
- Church Record, 1952-1965
- Pleasant Hill Membership Register, 1860-1869
- Pleasant Hill: Sidney
- Membership Register, 1922-1948
- Membership Register, 1943-1962
- Pleasant Hill: Sumner
- Membership Record, 1907-1981
- Ponemah Circuit
- Membership Book, 1892-1950
- Pontiac
- Membership Register, 1931-1972
- Potomac First: Wallace Chapel
- Membership Roll, 1895-1956
- Prairie City
- Church Record, 1859-1871
- Church Record, 1889-1919
- Official Membership and Church Record, 1920-1981
- Official Membership and Church Record, 1960-1985
- Providence
- Church Register, 1896-1925
- Church Register, 1896-1960
- Church Register, 1906-1929
- Providence: Taylorville
- Church Register, 1955-1985
- Quincy
- Membership Roll, 1841-1987
- Ramsey
- Church Records, 1891-1903
- Family Records
- Membership Records, 1922-1931
- Membership Roll
- Permanent Membership Roll, Alphabetical
- Redmon
- Membership Roll, 1940-1970, ca
- Riggston-Merritt
- Riggston Membership Record, 1930-1967
- Rio
- Membership Record, 1907-1933
- Robinson Creek
- Membership Register, 1951-1986
- Rock Island, Hispanic
- Membership Records, 1985-1991
- Rockport
- Membership Record, 1934-1952
- Membership Register, 1953-1991
- Rook´s Creek
- Membership Book, 1930-1992
- Rutland
- Membership Roll, 1914-1973
- Salem
- Membership Register, 1960-1970
- Saratoga: Henry
- Membership Register, 1961-1999
- Saybrook
- Membership Register, 1925-1968
- Sciota
- Membership Register, 1905-1944
- Membership Register, 1944-1969
- Membership Register, 1953-1994
- Sharpsburg
- Membership Register, 1906-1936
- Membership Register, 1936-1970
- Shiloh Chapel: Argenta: Weldon
- Membership Register, 1916-1987
- Membership Register, 1968-1987
- Shiloh Chapel: Weldon
- Membership Record, 1915-1976
- Sibley
- Church Records, 1882-1894
- Church Records, 1897-1913
- Church Records, 1915-1941
- Family Membership Roll
- Membership Records, 1994-2009
- Membership Register, 1881-1994
- Soule Chapel: Waverly
- Historical Record and Membership Register, 1889-1906
- Springerton
- Membership Register, 1917-1984
- State Street Methodist
- Membership Rolls, 1920-1950s
- Strawn
- Membership Book, 1983-2004
- Membership Roll, 1914-1963
- Streator
- Woman´s Missionary Society Minutes, 1899-1916
- Streator: Grace
- Membership Register, 1979-2007
- Membership, 1921-1990
- Swan Creek
- Membership Roll, 1930
- Timewell
- Membership Record, 1913-1949
- Tomasboro
- Official Membership Roll, 1925-1951
- Topeka Circuit
- Membership Register, 1861-1873
- Membership Register, 1891-1902
- Tower Hill: Robinson Creek
- Membership Register, 1892-1950
- Tower Hill: Zion
- Membership Register, 1923-1959
- Membership Register, 1963-1992
- Trinity: Paris
- Membership Book, 1888-1935
- Membership Book, 1908-1944
- Membership Book, 1924-1986
- Membership Book, 1931-1995
- Membership Book, 1946-1999
- Membership Book, 2001-2004
- Membership Roll
- Trueblood Memorial: Decatur
- Membership Records, 1926-1964
- Unity Chapel: Charleston Circuit
- Membership Record, 1952-1973
- Upper Salem: Metropilis
- Membership Register
- Membership Roll
- Vernon
- Membership Register, 1896-1972
- Membership Register, 1947-1991
- Versailles
- Membership Book, 1890-1909
- Waggoner
- Membership Register, 1901-1944
- Membership Register, 1953-2005
- Membership Register, 1962-1966
- Walnut Hill
- Membership Register, Membership Register
- Wataga
- Membership Book, 1946
- Waynesville
- Church Membership Record, 1897-1908
- Wesley Chapel
- Membership Record, 1889-1966
- Wesley: East Saint Louis
- Membership Records, 1945-1972
- Wesley: Noble
- Membership Records, 1958-1992
- West Liberty
- Membership Register
- West Point
- Church Record, 1881-1890
- Ideal Church Record, 1913-1998
- Membership and Church Record, 1958-1966
- Membership Roll, A-Z
- Westervelt Grace
- Grace-Ridge Membership Roll, 1926-1998
- Westfield Station
- Church Record, 1878-1918
- Wheeler
- Membership Register, 1946-1990
- White Hall
- Church Records, 1854-1870
- Church Records, 1881-1895
- Church Records, 1892-1903
- Ideal Church Record, 1898-1924
- Willow Hill
- Membership Register, 1953-1954
- Woodlawn
- Wood Lawn Circuit Church Record, 1878-1889
- Yale
- Membership Register
- Zion Church
- Membership Book, 1854-1871
- Zion Church: Streator
- Membership, 1907-1944
Illinois, Methodist Church Vital Records, 1824-2009