Our Beginning

The Word came to Island Grove Township with the arrival of Andrew Scott in 1824.  He moved here, with his wife and seven children, from Richland Creek (also in Sangamon County) where he had settled in 1818, coming there from Indiana.  He had been born in North Carolina on November 21, 1786, the first child of John Wilson Scott, a Revolutionary War soldier.  His grandfather, also named Andrew, was born in Scotland and came to Pennsylvania in 1725.  Our Andrew married Anna Longest May 28, 1808, in Jackson County Tennessee where their first child was born.  Six more children were born to them before they arrived at Island Grove, and four more after arriving here.

Andrew Scott was the first resident minister in this township.  Upon his arrival here he started preaching and holding meetings in his home.  It was here he performed the first marriage in the township.  He also held meetings in the log cabins of other early settlers.  His aim was to teach and preach the true faith and the pure gospel, thus becoming part of the early restoration movement in Illinois.  This movement protested against creeds and dogmas of fallible men.  These reformers appealed to the Bible alone, using only God’s word as their guide for teaching and preaching.  They were known as “Christians only”.  Three of Andrew’s brothers were also ministers of the Christian Church.  All three of them settled in what is now DeWitt County, Illinois.

As this group of believers grew they began holding services in the log school house close to where Andrew Scott lived.  This was about 1½ miles northwest of Berlin.  At this time the church was called the “Mt. Zion Christian Church”.  They met here from 1830 to 1840.  A log church building was erected on the Scott farm in 1840.  Here services were held until the congregation moved to Berlin in 1859.

Seeing the need for a larger building and to be where more of the people lived, in 1857 a new facility was started in the village of Berlin.  This building was dedicated in 1859.  The cost of this structure was $2500.  It was at this time that the name was changed to the “Berlin Christian Church”, and the congregation began to associate with a fellowship of churches known as the “Christian Churches and Churches of Christ.”

In this time period there were four churches in the village of Berlin.  Only the Christian Church still remains.

Our Middle Period

Services have been held in this building in Berlin from the time it was dedicated to the present.  Through the years, physical changes have been made to the building to better meet the needs of the congregation, but what has been taught and preached has remained the same and true to God’s Word.

The building was remodeled in the 1920’s, with a basement being added.  The story told is that about four members started the work of digging the basement with several shovels and a wheelbarrow.  The story did not say how long it took to finish this project.  In 1960 more improvements were done.  A new parsonage was built in 1964.  New siding was put on the church in 1975.  1983 was a busy time at our church.  An educational wing was built and dedicated.  Also, major remodeling was completed in the basement, making the space much more pleasant to use.  In 1998 the sanctuary was remodeled.  This same year the parking lot was also expanded.  New siding has been put on the parsonage.  Improvements have been done on the interior of this house several times since it was built.  New furnishings have been purchased for the house and the church building as needed over the years.

Many ministers have served this congregation, teaching and preaching the Word as Andrew started way back in 1824.  This church has provided the first pulpit for quite a few young ministers.  Some were not here very long, others for a longer time, but all grew as they were teaching God’s people from His Word.

This congregation has seen times of growth over the years.  There has also been times when our number has been small.  We praise God, that in the last few years, we have seen growth.  This has come through transferred memberships and with many baptisms.  (Do you hear the angels in heaven rejoicing?!!)

Looking Ahead

As we look down the road, both figuratively and literally, let us remember our beginning and our middle period, but help us now to concentrate on what God wants us to do ahead.  With His help, let us be good stewards of what we have already and of the new land that has been given for His work.

As a congregation, let us continue to serve the needs of the people in this area and, at the same time, let our missions’ work grow.

Help us to always remember the aim of the restoration movement:  to teach and preach the true faith and the pure gospel.

Go ye!  Teach and preach.  Make more and better followers of Jesus Christ.

 This was researched and written by Judy (Robertson) Fitch,

 the great, great granddaughter of Andrew Scott

 and was published in the Church's 180th Anniversary Book.