The church was built by Protestant families of the Lutheran faith who immigrated
from Austria to this country in the year 1852 -
1853. Landing at New Orleans these immigrants came up the Mississippi by
flatboat to a spot called Willard's Landing near the present town of Ware.
Traveling a few miles eastward they settled in a fertile valley which they
called Kornthal, meaning "valley of grain". The community was
never incorporated s a village, but at one time consisted of a church, a church
school and parsonage a box factory, a grist mill, a county store and a
distillery. However the present parsonage is not the original one.
The planning of the church was begun soon after
settlement was made and typical Austrian Bestial (house of prayer) design was
used. Austria was then under Catholic domination and Protestant churches
were not allowed to have spires, nor were they permitted to have doors opening
on the street. It was a plain frame oblong structure with side doors and
no steeple, 30 x 50 feet in size. The Front entrance, the steeple and bell
tower were added in 1889.
The interior of the church is impressive because of
its unique designing and the fine quality of its workmanship. The pews
were hand made of native yellow poplar, complete with kneeling racks. Balconies
were constructed the full length of the building on both sides. The high pulpit
placed the minister on the level of the balconies.
A stairway consisting of 12steps leads to the pulpit
and it guard rail is done in graceful wood filigree. Each step of the stairway
represents one of the 123 apostles. According to legend should any one of the
steps collapse then that step is the one that symbolized Judas Iscariot.
Over the pulpit is a carved canopy surmounted by a
cross and containing a design representing a human eye which is symbolic of the
"all seeing eye of God." This type of pulpit is the same as the one in
Williamsburg and the one in George Washington's Church in Alexandria, Virginia.
Painted on the altar in German script are the words,
Halte Im Gedaechtnis Jesum Christum, which means in English "Keep Jesus
Christ in Memory". The white enameled baptismal front with its graceful
lines, was also hand crafted by the builders of the church. Charles
Fettinger, one of the original Austrian settlers is credited with designing and
executing these artistic creations in wood that have survived people over a
century.
Until 1923 all services were conducted in the German
language and these practice, no doubt, contributed to the decline of church
membership. A number of large families moved away and some of the younger
members transferred their membership to the English Lutheran Church in
Jonesboro. The church was closed in 1949. In 1953 it was reopened and services
were conducted four times each summer under the direction of the Kornthal
congregational and Historical Society.
It became apparent some years years later that the
church was in danger of going the way many historical structures, that of
neglect and decay.
After appeals were made through several channels for
its preservation, the State of Illinois passed legislation in 1960, whereby it
acquired the property, repaired and decorated the buildings. In 1965, the State
returned local ownership to the newly formed Kornthal Union County Memorial,
Inc.
Today, the church is solely a community project
supported by donations and bequeaths. Periodic special services are planned by
the Kornthal Memorial in cooperation with the Union County Ministerial Alliance.
The Church is also available for funerals and weddings.
The old church lives on through the efforts of a
number of dedicated people who are committed to its perpetuation, so that this
charming gift from the past may be available for the enjoyment of future
generations.
For further Information Write
The Kornthal Union County Memorial, Inc.
Kornthal Church Road
Jonesboro, IL 62952
To Reserve the Church call 618-833-8745
Board of Directors:
-
Ken Blandford
-
Ronald Ellis
-
Duane Hileman
-
Kenneth Holshouser
-
Doug LeFevre
-
Alfred Lingle
-
Paul Otten
-
Tom Schaefer
-
Randy Tucker
|