Open House at Tiskilwa’s Historic Bible Church during Country Christmas on December 8

As a special feature of this year’s Country Christmas in Tiskilwa, the 106-year-old church on the corner of Main and Galena Streets will welcome visitors from 9:00 to 10:30. This building, built for an early-twentieth-century Mennonite congregation, holds a special place in the hearts of village residents. That fondness comes from the fact that the architect was a “local boy,” Edward Quick. Today, this small gem is home to the Tiskilwa Bible Church, whose members will host the open house.

After Edward’s graduation from Tiskilwa High School in 1910, he went on to earn his degree in architecture at the University of Illinois in Urbana. Family legend has it that he designed this unusual little church as a major project when pursuing his degree. Edward relocated to St. Louis, where he and Ruth raised their family, but they always maintained ties with Tiskilwa. In fact, their daughter Peggy married a Tiskilwa man, Raymond Johnston. Mark Johnston of rural Tiskilwa is one of Edward’s grandsons. In his long and successful career, Edward went on to specialize in designing hospitals, drawing up the plans for more than fifty hospitals throughout the nation.

Other events in Tiskilwa on Saturday, December 8, will include a bake sale at 8:00 a.m. the Community Church, Lionel trains (9-2) at the museum, Covered Bridge Chorus (barbershop harmony) at 11:00 at the Museum on Main, holiday crafts at the Tiskilwa Library starting at 9:30, and “Meet the Innkeepers” at the new Tiskilwa Inn, beginning at 12:00. All along Main Street, TCA has provided small evergreen trees for a decorating contest, participated in by local organizations. The entire Bureau County community is invited to Walk Tiskilwa next Saturday and catch the spirit.