Congregational Church, Roberts, Ill.

The Roberts Congregational Church was organized October 24, 1875 with ten members. They were Frank Butler, W.S. Larkin, Elizabeth Larkin, Lucy Larkin, John Hummel, Sarah Hummel, G.H. and M.W. Thompson, A.D. Wycoff. Church services were first held in a schoolhouse and later in the town hall.
Rev. R. Weage was the first pastor. Since the Roberts Church was an offspring from the Thawville Church, the first fourteen years the churches had the minister together.
On December 9, 1879 the church was incorporated and a building 40' by 55' was begun. The building was completed in 1880 and dedicated free from debt May 16 of that year. The dedication sermon was delivered by Rev. James Tompkins. In December 1880 the Sabbath School was organized.
Rev. Weage was followed by Rev. Brobst. It was during the the time Rev. Brobst was here that the church was built. Rev. Brobst was followed by Rev. J.B. Johnson. He held the first revival services and many new members were added to the church.
Rev. W. Wilson was a small man and full of energy. One winter day with snow several feet deep, he walked from Thawville to Roberts in the morning to hold services and in the afternoon on his way back stopped at the Woodward home to preach a funeral service.
In 1894 Rev. Richardson came here from Iowa. He had not finished school but said he was called to G.P.C. "Go Preach Christ" but some of his critics said it probably meant to "Go Plant Corn."
In 1897 Rev. J.H. Runnals came and served the church for four years.
In July new manuals and rules were adopted. The first two rules were (1) that services should be held twice each Sunday, morning and evening, a prayer meeting be held each Tuesday; (2) any member who was absent from the meetings of the church for one year and failed to reply to the official letter of the clerk, shall be liable to have fellowship withdrawn. In 1898 four members were dropped.
It was decided an incidental collection should be taken at each morning and evening service. In 1897, $776 was raised in this way. The average attendance in 1898 was 60 for the morning service, 74 for evening and prayer meeting, 11.
In 1890 the bell was purchased from a church at Ludlow. Chris Anderson and F.G. Lohman brought it to Roberts. The steeple was built the same year and dedicated, free from debt, having paid for it by giving entertainment in the Old National Hall. It cost $1 per foot, 75 feet -- $75. In 1907 the sanctuary to the south was added.
Stained glass windows were put in this part in 1914, by the H.M. Hooker Co. from Springfield, Illinois. In 1948 the basement was enlarged and finished.
Due to mergers the church has had four names, The First Congregational Church 1875-1932, The Congregational Church 1932-1961, United Church of Christ 1961-1979, The Congregational Christian Church 1979.

-- History of Ford County Illinois 1985. Page 74.