The Dutchtown Church (Milledgeville
Church of the Brethren) is celebrating its
160th anniversary. The origin of the
Dutchtown congregation can be traced back to
Schwarzenau, Germany, in the year 1708. Due
to religious persecution that was going on in
Europe at the time, small groups of people
began the migration to America. By 1735, the
migration was complete and the majority of
the “Brethren” settled in Pennsylvania under
the control of William Penn, a Quaker. They
eventually started pushing further west to the
Mississippi and on to the West Coast. Brethren
from the East settled in Northern Illinois
around 1842 and established the first Church
in this area at Arnold’s Grove, near Mt. Carroll.
This congregation was the parent congregation
for Dutchtown, Cherry Grove, and Hickory
Grove. It was in the fall of 1858 that the
congregation was organized and the first Love
Feast was held.
Pastor Richard “Rick” Koch has pastored
Dutchtown for 28 years. A special Sunday
service will be held on September 9th with
worship at 9:30 a.m. and a Hog Roast/Pot
Luck meal to follow. All are welcome to attend
and help us celebrate.
Dutchtown is located at 25257 Dutchtown
Road, Milledgeville. Phone: 815-225-7812
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