As early as 1844, Evangelical ministers traveled through this community, undoubtedly preaching the Word of God. We are told that Rev. William Kolb and Rev. C. Claus, young ministers from Ohio, who joined the newly organized Illinois conference, were stationed upon the Rock River Circuit, which comprised the northwestern section of Illinois, extending as far as the Mississippi river. On their way west, in the late summer of 1844, they passed through Freeport, which according to their own statement, was composed of only a few houses. It was during the early "forties" that many families left their homes in Pennsylvania and settled in these western states. Many of these people had come in contact with our church in the east and now in their new surroundings longed for Evangelical minister to visit them and preach the Word of God. In the year 1850, Rev. Henry Rohland Joined the Illinois conference and was appointed to Cedar Creek (Cedarville) Circuit and Freeport. He was also elected a delegate to the general conference. At the general conference he was elected presiding elder of the Peoria district, to take the place of Rev. Samuel Baumgardner, who died of cholera the previous year. Rev. Rohland, in the fall of 1851, organized our first Evangelical church in the city of Freeport, Illinois, known as "Die Emmanuels Kirche der Evangelischen Gemeinschaft." The following are the charter members of this first church: Rev. Henry Rohland, Joseph Miess, Jonathan Matter, John Mayer, Henry Thomas, George Thomas, George Meintzer, Louis Meintzer, Michael Meintzer, Benj. Meintzer, Bernhardt Meinzer, H. Wolker, Adam Bremer, Jacob Heise, John Krinbill, Benj. Lemberger, Kathryn Stoskoph, Wm. Elle brecht, John Wolf, Herman Fahringer, Julius Frey, Fred Ascher. At first the newly organized congregation met in the homes of its members, and it was soon discovered that the greatest nee was a place of worship where they might meet on the Lord's day. In 1852 and elderly man named G. Miess donated eighty acres of land near Freeport to this congregation. This was sold at $4.50 per acre and the proceeds devoted toward building a church edifice. The first church was built in 1852 on Oak Street. The first church which was completed in the fall of 1852 was a brick structure two stories high, 40 feet by 50 feet, at a cost of about $1,500.00. The building was dedicated in 1853. The old church building became inadequate for the growing needs of the society and in 1874 there was erected on the site of the old church a new structure 35 by 55 feet, of brick material, costing about $6,000.00. In 1902 extensive remodeling of the church was done at a cost of $7,000.00 This included also the installation of a pipe organ. In the year 1908 Salem Evangelical church was amalgamated with Emmanuel Church, thus forming the now Oak Avenue Evangelical church. An addition was made in 1912, costing about $15.000.00. The addition was to the north side of the church for a Sunday School unit. In 1949 an Exploratory Committee was organized to make a careful study of the wisdom of remodeling or relocating, and the kind of church needed for carrying on an aggressive church program. After extensive searching an available site of over five acres on South Walnut Street was discovered. An option was obtained upon it and on November 15, 1951 the congregation voted to purchase it. A goal of $1000,000 was set. The final amount underwritten with cash and three-year pledges was over $113.000. Excavation began on September 6th, 1955. The cornerstone was laid on May 20, 1956, and dedication was December 2, 1956. The church then was named Faith Evangelical United Brethren Church. (Information taken from 80th Anniversary 1852-1932, and Dedication of Faith Evangelical United Brethren Church booklets) Pictures: Rev. Henry Rohland, 2nd Church erected in 1874, remodeled church in 1902, Oak Ave. Church in 1932, and Faith Evangelical U. B. Church in 1956.