First Congregational Church of Sterling
Also known as: United Church of Christ
Why it's listed
Built in 1897-1898 on a downtown corner in Sterling, Illinois, this church was designed by architect Wesley Arnold in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. Red Portage sandstone forms the foundation, red pressed brick covers the street-facing walls, and a 100-foot square bell tower rises at the northeast corner, balanced by a smaller round tower with a conical roof. Large arched windows sit within projecting gables. Inside, Arnold used the Akron Plan: an octagonal sanctuary seating about 450, with Sunday School rooms behind it that can be opened to the main room by large sliding doors. The building has changed little apart from replaced windows and roofing in 1953 and a 1959 Education Building that is attached by a corridor. It was recognized for its architecture, being the only example of its kind in Sterling and Rock Falls and without a comparable church elsewhere in Whiteside County. The congregation still uses it.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is a locally significant example of Richardsonian Romanesque religious architecture under Criterion C. Its interior uses the Akron Plan, with an octagonal sanctuary and Sunday School rooms that open into it. It is described as the only church of its kind in Sterling and Rock Falls, and none comparable was found in Whiteside County.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 95001234, listed November 7, 1995. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 311 Second Ave., Sterling |
|---|---|
| County | Whiteside County |
| Listed | November 7, 1995 |
| Reference number | 95001234 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1898 |
| Architect / builder | Arnold, Wesley, Architect; Van Horne, P.J., Builder |
| Architectural style | Romanesque (Richardsonian Romanesque) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a church and church school; the exterior and interior are described as having a high degree of historical integrity, with a 1959 Education Building added to the south. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.78926, -89.69386 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 95001234.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5452863
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.