Our History
Episcopal Faith Throughout Time in Galena, IL
For over 180 years, thousands of Galenians have called the stone building that houses Grace Episcopal Church their spiritual home. Since 1835, some 40 priests have shepherded the congregation that have been are caretakers of this legacy.
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1826
Grace Church is the oldest Episcopal Church in continuous use in the Diocese of Chicago. An Episcopal Service was first held on the banks of the Fevre River (now the Galena River) in 1826, the year Galena was incorporated as a town.
From the small group gathered on the riverbank that Sunday, a congregation was informally begun. It met in various homes whenever an Episcopal clergyman came to town.
1835
In 1835, it was formally established as a parish and named Grace, after its patron church in Rhode Island. At first the congregation met in the county courthouse and later above a downtown storefront before moving in 1836 to a wooden chapel located on Bench Street.
1838
An organ, purchased in 1838 from the Henry Erben Organ Company in New York, was first used in the Bench Street church and is still in use today in the Church's current location. Read more about the Erben organ below. The marble baptismal font was also used in the chapel, which was consecrated by Missionary Bishop Jackson Kemper in 1838.
1847
By 1847 the membership had outgrown that building and plans were drawn to erect the stone edifice now in use. Construction was completed in 1849. The building, constructed of limestone quarried on the site, was consecrated in 1850 by the Rt. Rev. Philander Chase, first bishop of the Diocese of Illinois.
Over the next three decades, it was adorned with many precious objects. Some of the stained glass windows are of irreplaceable Belgian glass and a few of them are in Tiffany style. A silver chalice, carefully locked up, yet still in use each Sunday, was fashioned from gold and precious stones given by parishioners. The black walnut eagle lectern was one of many improvements made in the early 1880s.
1893
In 1893, a major renovation included digging out thirty feet more of the limestone bluff behind the church to create the chancel, sanctuary, a chapel and sacristy. The black walnut altar and reredos were added along with choir pews on each side. Extensive stenciling and historic memorial plaques give Grace Church a unique character.
1920s
The 1920s and 30s were difficult years for the parish which fell into debt and was "demoted" to mission status.
2000
It was not until 2003 that Grace became a parish once more. By the close of the 1990s, years of moisture from the bluffs resulted in the need for an extensive restoration in 2000 and 2001. This restoration also included the addition of new pews, pulpit, and ramp that lead from the accessible entrance off the parking lot.
2018
In 2018, a long desired parish house was built beside the church. It provides complete accessibility so that all people may share in the ministries and fellowship of the congregation.
Present
In 2025, Grace will celebrate our 190th anniversary. With so much history, Grace Church continues to open its doors to Galena area residents and visitors. We welcome you to join us for worship, make a visit to the meditation garden, sing in the choir, participate in Bible Study, get involved in our ministry groups, and so much more. Come be a part of our story!
The Erben Organ
Grace Church's Oldest Artifact
Grace Episcopal’s organ was constructed in 1838 by the world-renowned New York City organbuilder Henry Erben (1800-1884), the leading American pipe organ builder in the mid-19th century. It is Grace’s oldest artifact and is by far the earliest example of a pipe organ in this part of the country.
The instrument is classified as a self-contained, single manual (one keyboard), back-fall, tracker organ. Pipes in the organ are made of tin coated brass for high notes and square wooden tubes for low notes. Each works as a whistle, with air entering at the foot of the pipe and vibrating as it passes across a sharp lip set at the top. The pitch depends on the size of a pipe, and the material used influences the quality of the tone.
The organ has had four “homes” within the church. First, it was placed in Grace’s initial chapel on Bench Street in 1838. It was then moved to the present church building in 1848 and placed in the choir loft above the narthex. It was taken down from the loft in 1883 and moved to a niche just to the right (south) of the pulpit. Finally, in 1894, it was placed in its present location following an expansion of the chancel.
The organ was temporarily removed in 2001 during church restoration. It weighs about 1,500 pounds and was disassembled in place, removing each part through a small opening in a side wall. The tracker mechanism alone weighs about 350 pounds. The hundreds of parts so removed were stored away for a year, and not one part was lost in the process. The organ was reassembled in 2002 and stands as one of the few surviving Erben organs.
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In 2024 the organ received a visit from Brent Johnson, the founder of Organ Media Foundation, who created this video showcasing the instrument. In the first part he demonstrates the stops and the various sounds they each make. Then he films the insides of the organ. This allows you to see the real pipes. What we see from the outside are false pipes — a façade.