Loxa Presbyterian Church
Rooted in Faith Since 1844
A Church Rooted in Community
Loxa Presbyterian Church stands as a testament to the enduring faith of rural Illinois. Located in the small community of Loxa, just outside Mattoon, our church has been a gathering place for generations of families seeking fellowship, worship, and spiritual guidance.
For more than 180 years, this church has been more than a building. It has been a place where farmers gathered after harvest, where families celebrated weddings and mourned losses, where children learned their first Bible stories, and where neighbors came together in times of joy and hardship.
Our historic sanctuary, with its classic white exterior, traditional wooden pews, stained glass windows, and working bell tower, reflects the architectural heritage of rural American churches. But while our building honors the past, our faith is very much alive and active today.
Our Timeline: A Legacy of Faith
July 6, 1844 – The Beginning
At Wilkeson's Point in Coles County, Illinois, fifteen faithful individuals gathered to form what would become our church family. They agreed to "associate ourselves together in a society to be known by the name of Mount Pleasant Congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church under the care of Foster Presbytery."
The charter members included A.K. Ashmore, Levi Fleenor, Emaline Fleenor, Levicy Fleenor, Samuel Shoemaker, John Shoemaker, John Niles, Martha Shoemaker, Jeremiah Craig, Parker Woods, Catherine Omdoff, Matilda Gillenwater, Marge Lampy, and Nancy Craig. The first pastor was Rev. John W. Woods. The original meeting house stood a short distance from the present site of Loxa.
October 1868 – A New Home in Loxa
The Mount Pleasant Congregation made the decision to move their church to the village of Loxa, formerly known as Stockton. The old building was sold, and a new church was erected at a cost of twenty-three or twenty-four hundred dollars. The church house was dedicated on the second Sabbath in October 1868 by Rev. J.R. Logan of Alton, Illinois and Rev. H. H. Ashmore. This building became the spiritual anchor for the surrounding rural community.
1885 – Remodeling and Renewal
On July 11, 1885, the session and trustees met to confer on plans to rebuild the church. The building was remodeled at a cost of $1,142.10, and the dedication service was held on December 20, 1885, led by Rev. W.J. Ferguson and Rev. Lemmon. This renovation strengthened the church's presence in the community and prepared it for generations to come.
1890-1891 – Becoming Loxa
During the winter of 1890, the members and session decided to change the name of the congregation from Mount Pleasant to Loxa, reflecting the church's deep roots in the village. The name was officially changed at the spring meeting of the Presbytery in 1891, and we have been known as Loxa Presbyterian Church ever since.
1905 – Joining the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
During the first decade of the 20th century, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. merged into one denomination. The session records of 1905 are the last in which the church is referred to as the Loxa Cumberland Presbyterian Church. From that point forward, we became part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) family.
August-September 1912 – A Great Revival
A very successful revival meeting was held from August 21 to September 8, 1912. The Loxa church and neighboring rural churches erected a large tent across the road from the church. Rev. James Lively served as the evangelist and Albert Gardenier led the choir. With the cooperation of the community and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, many people accepted Christ and joined the church during this powerful season of spiritual renewal.
1900s-2000s – Generations of Faithful Witness
Throughout the 20th century and into the 21st, Loxa Presbyterian Church has continued to serve as a beacon of faith in rural Illinois. Families have worshiped here for multiple generations, passing down their love for God and this community from parents to children to grandchildren. Through times of prosperity and hardship, war and peace, change and continuity, the church has remained faithful to its calling.
Today – A Living Tradition
Today, Loxa Presbyterian Church continues the legacy begun in 1844. We gather each Sunday morning at 10:30 AM for worship that honors our heritage while remaining responsive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. We are a small congregation, but our faith is strong, our welcome is genuine, and our commitment to Christ is unwavering. We invite you to become part of our story and join us in writing the next chapter of faith at Loxa.
Our Presbyterian Heritage
As a Presbyterian church, we are part of a tradition rooted in the Protestant Reformation and shaped by the teachings of John Calvin and other Reformers. The word "Presbyterian" comes from the Greek word "presbyteros," meaning elder. Presbyterian churches are governed by elected elders — both pastors (teaching elders) and church members (ruling elders) — who lead together in prayer, discernment, and decision-making.
We believe Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and that salvation comes by grace through faith. We are called to love God and love our neighbors, and to live out our faith with humility, justice, mercy, and service. We believe God is sovereign, faithful, and actively at work in the world.
Our worship is centered on Scripture, prayer, preaching, and singing. We value thoughtful engagement with God's Word and believe that faith should connect to real life, not remain abstract or distant.
A Living Tradition
While we honor our history and heritage, Loxa Presbyterian Church is not a museum. We are a living, active congregation. We do not worship tradition for tradition's sake. We worship God, and we seek to follow Christ faithfully in our time and place.
Our services follow a familiar structure — prelude, welcome, hymns, prayer, Scripture reading, sermon, and blessing — but we are not rigid or formal for the sake of formality. There is room for reflection, for silence, for prayer, and for the Spirit to guide. It is not uncommon for us to spend extended time digging deeply into a single passage of Scripture, sometimes staying with one chapter for several weeks as we explore it carefully and thoughtfully.
We believe church is not about perfection. It is about growing together in faith, grace, and love. We are ordinary people seeking to follow an extraordinary God. And we would be honored to have you join us on that journey.
Looking Forward
"Thus far the Lord has helped us." — 1 Samuel 7:12
As we look to the future, we do so with gratitude for the past and confidence in God's faithfulness. We are committed to continuing the witness begun in 1844, proclaiming the gospel, serving our community, and welcoming all who seek to know Christ. The story of Loxa Presbyterian Church is still being written, and we invite you to be part of it.