Grace Episcopal Church (Galena, Illinois)

The parish traces its history back to 1826, when Episcopal services were first held on the banks of what was then called the Fevre River (now the Galena River).

[1] Initially the parish held services at the county courthouse followed by meeting above a storefront in downtown Galena.

The parish then built a wooden chapel on Bench Street in 1836.

In 1838 the parish was able to purchase a Henry Erben organ which was first used in that chapel before being moved to the current church where it is still used today.

By the late 1840s membership had grown to the point that more space was needed, and plans were drawn up for the current church structure.