History
Blooming Grove Christian Church is located just three miles east and one mile south of Palmyra, Illinois close to Otter Lake. The believers at BGCC have been gathering in this location for over 135 years. I'd like to take a few moments to remind you of The Grove's humble beginnings.
Nearly fourteen decades ago, a number of Christian people living in the surrounding area discussed the need for a Christian church. On Sunday, March 9, 1873, a small body of people believing in the Lordship of Christ gathered in Blooming Grove school house for their first worship service.
Elders and deacons were soon selected, and the official church name was chosen, Blooming Grove Christian Church. Today, it still carries that name, but some members lovingly refer to it as The Grove.
As time passed, the church grew. They continued to hold regular church services in the one-room school house. In less than a month, they had doubled in number and did so again for several months to follow. In less than six months, the number had increased to over 160 members! The old school house was filled to overflowing, and the time had come for action.
Before the first day of October, in 1873, the church voted to build a house of worship at or near Blooming Grove School. Members were immediately asked to pledge financial assistance toward the new building. Nearly everyone contributed something to the project with gifts ranging from $.25 to $125. The average gift received was approximately $6.80.
A site was quickly secured directly across the road from the school house; it was purchased from Freeling H. and Laura Mahan for a grand sum of $25. The lot of land measured twenty rods long by eight rods wide (about 320'x128'). Construction on the new building began in the fall of 1873.
Over the next several years, the members of Blooming Grove worked diligently for God's kingdom. Some members attended missionary meetings, weddings were performed, and two young men were even ordained into the ministry.
For nearly 90 years people were discipled in the original building that once sat on our property. Sermons were delivered by gifted ministers on various schedules - once or twice a month, Saturday nights, Sunday mornings, or Sunday nights.
Then, in 1987, the congregation became aware of termite damage and structural deterioration. This led to the decision to build a completely new building. Members partnered on the construction of the building that busy summer, continuing to worship on Sundays in a garage owned by Terry Quarton.
When the building was completed, the sanctuary had been increased in size to accommodate 130 people, with eight classrooms and a nursery in the basement. The first services in the new building were held on September 6, 1987. Since that day, the members of The Grove have met there faithfully to study God's word, to have fellowship with His Son, and to listen to His Holy Spirit.
Today, as you look back on the rich history that is our past, I want you to find encouragement. Perseverance, dedication, and enthusiasm have run through the veins of those members before us, and those qualities are still present today. Any problem that we encounter, we can overcome. Any complication that is in our way, we can conquer.
As you consider the future of Blooming Grove, remember Paul's words in Hebrews 12, "We are surrounded by a great cloud of people whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up..."