The First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Pittsfield, Illinois, has a long history as an established church in this area. As early as 1836 a few of the faithful met in the home of Jacob Hodgen at 251 West Adams Street, for "the breaking of bread and prayer."He was born in Hodgenville, Kentucky, in 1793, where he was a neighbor of the Lincoln family. He came to Pike County in 1832 and Abraham Lincoln often visited in his home here. He was one of the grand characters among the pioneers of the county and the church, characterized by the strictest integrity, sturdiest manhood, and unwavering faith. His enthusiasm in the cause of Christianity made his house the home of the ministry, and it was known as the "preacher's hotel." It is said of him that, whatever the need, he stepped into the breach, whether it was to pay, to pray, to preach, to plead or to cry. This is the character of the man who was the leading spirit in the beginning of this church.

In 1839, William H. Strong of Winchester. III., became their first regular minister and taught a private school, the pupils being mostly children of the church members. During the same year the state meeting of Illinois Disciples (now the Region of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Illinois/Wisconsin) was held in Pittsfield.

In 1841 in the Court House, the little band completed an organization with Jacob Hodgen and Jonas Clark, elders, and Joseph Sanders, deacon. To the following covenant 14 charter members affixed their signatures.

Very soon after the organization many other names were added: the Wyatts, Bennetts, Hendricks, Rubles, Quinbys, Johnsons and others.

There were numerous meeting places in those early days before they came into possession of a church building. For a time they met in a small building south of the public square. At another time they met in a room at the northeast corner of the square.

The Court House was another meeting place, sometimes in the Court Room, sometimes in the Treasurer's Office. Still another place of meeting was in a two-story frame school house where was once the church parsonage at 213 West Adams Street.

During the first seventy years of its existence, the church owned and worshiped in three buildings. The first was a small frame structure, bought from the Congregational Church about 1844, and moved to the northwest corner of the at property at 128 West Washington Street (near where the Illini Rehab Center is now located). Here they met for about ten years, the building being used much of the time also for school purposes. In 1853, a two story frame building was erected at 225 N. Memorial (sight of the present church), while Jonathan Atkinson was pastor.

The church was dedicated on Christmas Day, 1853 with Jacob Creath, Jr. of Missouri preaching the sermon. The lower story of the building was owned by a stock company and was used for school purposes. Here John D. Thomson, Jirah Burt and Brother Jon Shastid taught. In 1857 Bro. Shastid bought the lower story of the church and owned it as long as the building stood. Here was the place of worship for about thirty-eight years. These years held sacred memories for many, of gospel invitations, confessions, baptisms, funerals, weddings, cherished friendships and pleasant association.

Two Missionary Rallies sponsored by the Christian Church are worthy of mention, showing the sentiment of the church in the early part of the century. One was held during Bro. Roger's ministry (1902-1904) at which time A. McLean, President of the Foreign Christian Missionary Society, was present, as was G. L. Wharton, for 25 years a missionary to India. The second Missionary Rally was held in January 1908 in the Congregational Church, when Dr. Royal J. Dye of Bolengi, Africa, and Miss Josepha Franklin of Damoh, India, were in attendance. The dominant sentiment was that no individual and no church can be truly Christian which is not truly and thoroughly missionary.

The year 1907 will ever be memorable in the history of this church. Plans had long been in the making to hold evangelistic services for the month of August and a tabernacle had almost been completed and services about to begin, when a great storm damaged the tabernacle and almost totally destroyed the church. However, the evangelists came and our good friends and neighbors of the Congregational Church offered their buildings where meetings were held until the tabernacle was repaired. The evangelists were Rev. Wilson and Rev. Lintt, and the meeting resulted in about 50 additions to the church.

Plans were soon made for the restoration of the church building. The church was rededicated Sunday, February 2, 1908. W. E. Spicer was pastor during this period. The first service was an enthusiastic session of the Sunday School with 265 in attendance, $10.85 collection. Mrs. Emma Crow read her history February 2, 1908, at the rededication of the church building and acknowledged her indebtedness to Jon Shastid for much of it, and to C. I. Swan for his history presented at the dedication in 1891 which was printed in the Pike County Banner of Jan 9, 1891.

Rev. William H. Cannon, a grandson of Hardin Goodin who was an early member of the church, came as pastor in May 1908, and remained until July 1, 1913. They lived in Pike County several years, serving several churches, and were much loved.

Rev. David N. Wetzel followed as minister from 1914 to 1918 whose wife was capable of filling the pulpit when needed, an unusual occurrence in those days. He was also very helpful in later years, coming here as minister ad interim.

Rev. E. S. Priest was pastor of the church from 1919 to 1922. He came after World War I, wearing his uniform. Mrs. E. D. Glandon was largely responsible for the installation of the pipe organ and new pews during his ministry. Chairs had been used, until that time. Mrs. Priest took her husband's place in the pulpit when it was necessary for him to be absent.

Rev. Russell E. Booker was extended a call as pastor January 10, 1926. He served until the end of 1944, almost 19 years – a much longer period than any other pastor. He and his family were the first occupants of the parsonage at 213 West Adams Street, after its purchase. The parsonage was bought in 1926 (being the former home of Mrs. Zura Foreman); the men to pay $2,500.00, the women of the church $4,259.00. On Dec. 16, 1935, the new chancel and pulpit furniture were dedicated, a gift to the church from the Vesper Singers.

Rev. Booker organized the "Vesper Singers" and their Christmas and Easter Cantatas have since been enjoyed by Pittsfield and the county. After leaving Pittsfield he became ill and was brought back here to Illini Hospital where he passed away in 1947. He was laid to rest in the West Cemetery. During Rev. Booker's ministry, the Centennial of the Church was observed from June 21 to June 24, 1936. Mrs. Louis Stone was the organist for this series of services. The older members had prepared collections of early church remembrances, and there were messages from former ministers and members living elsewhere, read by Mrs. Roy Plattner. Colorful, lovely costumes, some over 100 years old, were worn by the Vesper Singers and many others present. Robert Milstead and Harry Barber sang solos.