The city of Rock Falls got its start in 1837, when Isaac Merrill settled along the southern bank of the Rock River in the northern section of Coloma Township.
The city of Rock Falls got its start in 1837, when Isaac Merrill settled along the southern bank of the Rock River in the northern section of Coloma Township.
He soon was joined by several other settlers and their families, including Edward Atkins, Daniel Brooks and Noah Merrill.
Isaac Merrill’s son, Nelson, is believed to be the first child born in the settlement, in November 1838.
Rock Falls originally was called Rapids City after A.B. Wheeler, Isaac Merrill, Atkins and Brooks laid out a mile-square area on the riverbank. Atkins must have had high hopes for growth and future residents – he built a large framed house for use as a hotel.
During that time, the state let out a contract to build a canal at Rapids City, but when the state encountered financial difficulties, the project was suspended.
Because of the financial hardship sweeping the United States, the future Rock Falls lay nearly dormant for 20 years. There were no shops or stores in operation in the township, and in 1857, the plat of Rapids City was vacated. A year later, the county map showed only 31 residents.
Schooling was not offered until 1845. The first teacher, Anastasia Sturtevant, held classes in an old store until a granary was bought and remodeled. A brick building later was built, followed by Merrill School in 1888.
Businessman and New York native Augustus P. Smith is credited with salvaging the community in 1867. Smith moved across the river from Sterling, bought 47 acres and opened a mitten factory. Then he laid out a town and called it Rock Falls.
ROCK FALLS HISTORY cont’d to page 4
Redefine Comfort as You Know
Smith also bought the Sterling Hydraulic Co.’s water plant, which had built a dam in 1854. Smith used the dam’s water power to run his factory. He spent $12,000 to improve his water supply, which promoted the use of waterpower and motivated others to use the power, as well. The town sprang up around the factory, and Smith was able to hire about 100 workers.
Rock Falls was incorporated in January 1869, and a town government was formed. The first ordinance was a temperance act forbidding the sale of malt liquors in less than 1-gallon quantities. At the same meeting, the town seal was ordered. It carried the motto, “Fundo in Tempero,” which means “I build in good time.”
Eventually, Rock Falls gained city status.
At that time, campaigns were waged both for and against annexing with Sterling. In the end, the voters nixed the idea and Rock Falls became its own town.
A period of rapid growth followed the arrival of the railroad in Rock Falls. The new form of transportation boosted industry, and numerous factories were established and prospered.
George S. Tracy and Thomas A. Galt bought water rights and land in Rock Falls from Smith after their Sterling factory was destroyed in 1867. Keystone Manufacturing Co. was organized between 1870 and 1877, built 10 more buildings, and concentrated on making agricultural machinery.
Others who played a role in the development of Rock Falls were brothers John H. and Edwin F. Lawrence, prosperous manufacturers who started with a patent for two barn-door hangers.
Eureka Manufacturing organized in 1871. Early products were school and office furniture. Production later was changed to carriages and allied products and vehicles of all types including hearses and ambulances. During World War II, it switched to war production, buses, ambulances and turret baskets for tanks. It operated until 1965.
The Sterling Manufacturing Co. began making stair rails, newel posts, church seats and butter tubs, among other things, as early as 1855. By 1877, it was making 2,500 butter tubs a week.
Many other manufacturing companies have occupied the south shore of the Rock River over the years.
As early as 1877, Rock Falls had one hose company protecting the town. In 1908, the first fire wagon and team was bought, and the horses were named Thome and Grady, in honor of the mayor and alderman. The department became motorized in 1921.
Rock Falls had several newspapers in the late 1800s, many of which lasted only a couple of years. The earliest one was Rock Falls Progress, which ran its presses by water power. It was Republican in its beliefs and was published for about 7 years.
The Rock Falls Methodist Church is the oldest in the township. It was organized by the Rev. J.H. Alling in 1869.
Many service clubs and special interest groups also were organized more than 100 years ago.
The Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society was chartered in 1959, and in 2017, Rock Falls celebrated its sesquicentennial. n
A view along Rock Falls’ riverfront, circa 1910.
The Rock River and Elkhorn and Sugar creeks combined with woodlands and prairie to make the Sterling area attractive to settlers in the early 1900s.
The area was one of the last to be settled in Illinois, with the first settlers arriving in the region about 1832, after the Black Hawk War. Prior to their arrival, the territory was occupied by Fox and Sauk Indians.
The Galt House Hotel, circa 1910, in downtown Sterling, across from the former Sears building. The hotel, which later also housed The Miami Lounge, burned down in 1971.
Hezekiah Brink was the first person to build a cabin in the area, in 1834. He soon was joined by other settlers, and 2 years after Brink built his cabin, he and his wife had a daughter, the first child born in the township.
Steamer pilot Capt. D.S. Harris delivered a load of supplies to the settlers via the Rock River in 1836, with the majority of merchandise for Brink. In return, Harris received a half interest in a community that was named Harrisburg in his honor.
Around the same time, William Kirkpatrick laid claim to property near Harrisburg that would come to be known as the settlement of Chatham.
Soon the residents of Harrisburg and Chatham became rivals, competing for possession of rented office space and a post office called the Rock River Rapids.
By 1838, though, the two settlements made peace and merged in hopes of becoming the county seat. They united under the new name of Sterling, named after Maj. James Sterling, who participated in the Black Hawk War.
In 1842, believing they were victorious in becoming the county seat, the settlers began building a courthouse. The building was used for only a short time before the county seat was moved to Morrison, where it remains today. Religious groups and other organizations used the building in Sterling until it was razed for its bricks in 1881.
One of the settlers’ other hopes was to use the Rock River as a navigational route. This plan, however, never worked out because the river had too many rapids. Instead, the settlers learned how to harness the river’s power to run saw and grist mills.
Because navigating the Rock River was not an option, the state authorized construction of a canal in 1839. It was to run along the south side of the river and bypass the shallow waters.
Financial problems, though, caused this project to be abandoned, as well.
While Brink was somewhat successful in running a ferry service on the Rock River to attract travelers, other means for crossing the river were unsuccessful.
Work on the first bridge was done from 1856-57, but never was completed and eventually the bridge washed away before it could be used. Other bridges were built and destroyed by the elements, including a toll bridge in 1863 and one in 1904. It was predicted to last forever, but it fell to ruins in 1906.
In 1854, Sterling Hydraulic Co. built a dam across the river to encourage and support other industry in the area.
Not all factories, though, were dependent on water power.
Industrial expansion increased dramatically after the Civil War. One of the first factories was the mitten factory owned by A.P. Smith, the founder of Rock Falls. Keystone Co., Northwestern Steel and Wire Co. and Eureka Manufacturing Co. all were begun between 1870 and 1879.
STERLING HISTORY cont’d to page 8
Tri-County Opportunities Council
The Tri-County Opportunities Council (TCOC), Community Action Agency, was organized and incorporated in 1965 by a group of interested citizens from Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside counties for the purposes of investigating the frequency, location, character, and cause of poverty; and coordinating efforts to prevent, alleviate and eliminate poverty through the cooperation of public agencies, private organizations, businesses, industries, and interested individuals.
The ability to implement unique and diverse solutions has afforded the Agency opportunities to grow, adjust and keep current in addressing the existing needs across communities. Today, TCOC serves the nine Illinois counties of Bureau, Carroll, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, Ogle, Putnam, Stark, and Whiteside.
Through a wide scope of programming, services are available for utility assistance, rental assistance, housing, home weatherization, homeless prevention, early childhood education, food inadequacies, and a variety of other services. All services are focused on improving the community by providing resources for people to lead better lives and achieve their full potential. TCOC programs are listed below. For additional and more detailed information, please visit the Agency website at www.tcochelps.org.
Community Services Block Grant: Provides funding to Community Action Agencies, like Tri-County Opportunities Council, to reduce poverty, revitalize income-eligible communities, and empower income-eligible families to become self-sufficient.
Foster Grandparent Program: Provides an opportunity for volunteers age 55 and older to stay active by giving between 5 and 40 hours a week to provide emotional and educational support to children in the classroom.
Early Head Start/Head Start Program: Provides comprehensive child and family development services for pregnant women and families with children ages birth to 5. The program’s main goals are to work in partnership with parents to promote children’s self-esteem, self-confidence, and school readiness.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program: Provides assistance to help households pay for the rising cost of winter energy services.
Weatherization Program: Provides home weatherization services to make homes safe and energy efficient, reducing the amount of fuel it takes to heat the home comfortably.
The arrival of the first train in Sterling, in July 1855, caused great celebration and was a progressive step for the town. U.S. Sen. Stephen A. Douglas and Gov. Joel Matteson were among the 3,000 people in attendance.
Sterling didn’t become a city until 1857, when it received a special charter from the General Assembly. An election of officers was held and Lorenzo Hapgood was chosen as first mayor. In 1869, the charter was revised and Sterling was governed under amended provisions until it was incorporated under the laws of the state.
The first bank in Sterling opened in 1852, when Hapgood and Miles S. Henry went into business together. The firm dissolved in 1861, and other banks were started.
The Sterling Gas Co. was organized in 1873 to provide gas for domestic purposes and street illumination. Eventually, the company changed its name and provided both gas and electricity after a period in which Sterling had many service companies.
By July 1889, the installation of a system to light the city with electricity and the building of an electric railway progressed simultaneously. However, the project of electric transportation was complicated and dormant for 10 years.
One of the few electric lines to be successful was the Sterling, Dixon and Eastern Electric Railway. The SD & EER ran a trolley service between Sterling and Dixon from 1904 to 1925.
Around 1930, some of the streetcars were remodeled into tourist cabins and moved to Morrison. Schools developed slowly in Sterling, with the first constructed in 1856. The early schools were frame structures, but later ones were constructed of brick. Lincoln School originally was called First Ward School, and Central School was called Sterling School.
In 1877, Sterling Business College was started by Harry Aument. He claimed to have the first business college in the world to include shorthand in its curriculum.
The Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society was founded in 1959 by individuals interested in preserving the historical heritage of both cities. n
Today, the city’s nearly 9,000 residents continue to work together to build what they need, whether it be a walking bridge across the Rock River or a riverfront development project. City leaders also work together to bring in new business and strengthen existing ones.
In recent years, Rock Falls has been focused on developing its riverfront, cleaning up empty factories and redeveloping the land for commercial and public use. Nowhere is this more visible than the city’s RB&W District, along the riverfront on land formerly home to the RB&W Co. The centerpiece of the project is RB&W Park, a former industrial site that was transformed into green space, complete with an entertainment venue, a trail, Art in the Park sculpture display, and restrooms.
The city’s push to rehabilitate former factory sites continued in 2024 with the demolition of the former Micro Industries downtown, along Second Street, a building that had fallen into disrepair in recent years. The city plans to turn the property into parking and green space.
The city also continues to lobby for new development along state Route 40 and Interstate 88. Rock Falls has partnered with the neighboring towns of Dixon and Sterling, as well as economic leaders from Lee and Whiteside counties, to attract industry to the I-88 West Corridor.
In 2024, it was announced that a multimillion-dollar travel center will be built in Rock Falls in 2025, bringing with it 55 full-time jobs and amenities that include a gas station, electric vehicle charging stations, a restaurant, convenience store and over 80 short-term overnight parking spaces for long-haul truckers. The Love’s Travel Stop will be located just northeast of the state Route 40 and Interstate 88 interchange, occupying approximately 14 acres of the 30-acre site.
ROCK FALLS TODAY cont’d to page 10
ALEX PASCHAL/APASCHAL@SHAWMEDIA.COM
Racers zip across the Rock River on during the 2024 River Chase as fans watch from Sewards Park in Rock Falls. Nearly 40 racers took to the water for the annual boat racing show.
ROCK FALLS TODAY cont’d from page 9
The city is fortunate to have retailers, restaurants and service providers throughout its downtown, and other retailers and hospitality service providers can be found along the city’s other main thoroughfares.
Rock Falls could also become the home of a new shared firefighting training facility. Members of the Rock Falls and Sterling fire departments want to form an intergovernmental agreement as one of several steps needed to build the facility. Currently, neither city’s fire departments have an easily accessible facility in which to conduct realistic scenarios.
The Garrett Ramos Training Facility Cooperative – formed after the December 2021 on-duty death of Sterling Fire Lt. Garrett Ramos, who fell through the floor of a burning home in rural Rock Falls – was formed between Sterling and Rock Falls “in an effort to construct the proper facility for our organizations,” said Rock Falls Fire Department Capt. Kyle Sommers, co-chairman of the cooperative’s committee. If plans pan out, the facility would be located in the Rock Falls Industrial Park on Beltway Drive. Sommers said he expects the project, which is planned to be completed in phases, will take about five years.
Rock Falls also offers a variety of recreational opportunities in city parks and along neighboring waterways. The Rock River is a great spot for fishing or boating, and the Hennepin Canal is a prime location for kayaking or canoeing with a trail system that runs along it that provides a scenic backdrop for walking, jogging or biking. The riverfront city also attracts a rich variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, which perch among trees overlooking the river.
Centennial Park is home to 50 acres of activities for all ages: ball diamonds, paddle boats and canoes, fishing, ice skating, playgrounds and picnic facilities, shelters, tennis courts and more.
There’s plenty of family-friendly activities throughout the year in Rock Falls, including Summer Splash, Eats ’N’ Beats food truck festival, the Rock Falls River Chase boat races, a water ski show, the Rock Falls Lumberjack Show, and much more.
The city also drums up an annual festival held to honor of the city’s most famous son, renowned drummer Louise Benson. The Bellson Music Fest features big band, jazz and blues music, with additional performances honoring Bellson. Bellson, who died in 2009, was a drummer, composer, band leader and six-time Grammy nominee.
For more information on what Rock Falls has to offer, go to visitrockfalls.com. n
Sterling is a city built on the strength of its residents. That strength led to the development of industry, with the city’s first factories being built in the 1850s, some along the banks of the Rock River, so the water could help power them.
Over time, more factories were built, many that manufactured hardware. So much hardware was produced in Sterling that the city was dubbed the Hardware Capital of the World at one point. Though the city is no longer the world’s hardware capital, it’s economic landscape has changed with the times and it’s matured and diversified, giving rise to a balance of industry, commerce and retail business.
In recent years, Sterling has seen a flurry of economic activity throughout the city.
Northland Mall welcomed a new anchor store in 2023 when Hobby Lobby moved into the space formerly occupied by Bergner’s; and just down the road, in Pine Tree Plaza, Harbor Freight moved in to space formerly occupied by Staples.
Meanwhile, a business incubator consisting of six small, free-standing storefronts was built downtown to help online, in-home or even brand-new startups eventually migrate to their own brick-and-mortar stores.
The Sterling Main Street project, The Shoppes at Grandon Plaza, was built in an empty lot at 310 Second Ave that was donated by Sterling Today Inc., a nonprofit economic development group.
To help spur new growth, the city created the Greater Sterling Development Corp., which works to recruit new business to the area. In turn, those new businesses can help attract more people to Sterling and spur the construction of new housing.
Development continues throughout the city.
Downtown, the long-vacant historic Mercantile Building at 117 W. Third St. welcomed new tenants: Mercantile Ballroom & Cocktail Lounge, a bar/eatery and wedding venue. The building’s second floor will be used as a headquarters for owner Ryan and Ashley Nares’ photography/videography and wedding planning business.
STERLING TODAY cont’d to page 13
Work is underway to rehabilitate a former factory site on Sterling’s riverfront into an all-ages, ADA-compliant playground and park. The project is part of the city’s multi-million dollar Riverfront Reimagined project
ALEX T. PASCHAL/APASCHAL@SHAWMEDIA.COM
Elsewhere downtown, another long-vacant building, the former Haymarket Tap on the corner of East Third and Second Avenue was renovated. Developers behind the project hope to utilize the space for restaurant and retail space, offices and apartments.
On the east end of town, in the Sterling Crossings plaza, the former Kmart on East Lincolnway and a neighboring building were transformed into a shopping center that’s home to an Old Navy, Five Below, Marshalls’s and Shoe Sensation, and two stores that moved from the Northland Mall: Maurices and Bath and Body Works.
Sterling’s leaders also want to improve the quality of life for residents.
In April 2023, Sterling’s Riverfront Commission unveiled the concept plan for the Lawrence Bros. and National sites, part of the $300-million-plus Riverfront Reimagined Project, during an open house. The plan is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to reinvent and reclaim land along the riverfront, a former industrial hub once home to a number of factories, and reestablish the area as an amenity and destination.
The main components of the master plan focus on the two former factory sites and call for apartments, a hotel and events center, and a rooftop bar/restaurant for the four buildings at the Lawrence site, which would be developed first if plans are undertaken. More information can be found at riverfrontreimagined.com.
Work began in April 2025 on a major overhaul of a 10-block stretch of East Second Street running from First Avenue to Route 2
The $6.2 million project will core out the road, install new curbs and sidewalks on both sides of the street, re-do driveways, install a new storm sewer system, and finally a new asphalt road.
In addition a 160-foot pedestrian bridge will be built, crossing over Illinois Route 40 near the north side of the train tracks, extending behind the Plainwell Brass building and leading to a new multi-use bikeway path on East Second Street from First Avenue to Broadway Avenue.
Work will be completed in five phases and is expected to be finished by June 2026.
Another priority in Sterling is maintaining excellent schools. Six schools and a career center are included in the Community Unit 5 school system, and Sterling has three private schools. Upon graduation, students can advance their education at Sauk Valley Community College, just a few miles east of town on state Route 2.
The Sterling Park District maintains several parks, an indoor fitness facility and an 18-hole golf course. Central Memorial Park downtown received a number of upgrades in recent years, including a splash pad and concession stand/restroom facility.
On the city’s riverfront, work continues on a yet-to-be-named park at the former Northwestern Steel and Wire Mill site that will include a playground, splash pad, ice skating ribbon, plaza, park shelter, amphitheater, and restrooms. The majority of work is expected to be finished by June 2025, with a tentative opening the following month.
Elsewhere, a pedestrian bridge spans the Rock River, a joint project with Rock Falls. The river offers great recreational opportunities each summer for boating, waterskiing and fishing.
For those who enjoy the arts, there’s the Woodlawn Arts Academy, a nonprofit created to provide educational opportunities for children and adults in all areas of the arts. Classes vary from visual arts to music and the literary arts to the performing arts.
Of course, residents also can take advantage of the entertainment and recreational opportunities available in many of Illinois’ biggest cities, as Sterling is just a 1- or 2-hour drive from Chicago, Rockford, the Quad Cities and Peoria.
The city’s easy access to these other major economic centers also makes it more convenient to do business there, which is why Sterling has partnered with Dixon and Rock Falls, and Lee and Whiteside counties to develop the I-88 West Corridor.
Together, they’re bringing new business to the Sauk Valley, making it even more attractive to live here. n
At Willett, Hofmann & Associates, our mission is to serve our clients with the highest level of Ethics, Responsiveness, and Professionalism, supported by a team of highly trained and skilled professionals.
As the nation struggled through a Great Depression, a group of Rock Falls residents joined together to help bring the city its first library.
The Rev. James R. Uhlinger, with support from the Rock Falls Womens Club and other residents, worked with the W.P.A. (Works Project Administration) to turn the idea of a library into reality. Its first chapter began in the old Rock Falls National Bank building before moving to the Cruse Building and later, Merrill School. In the midst of a World War, the library continued to grow and in September 1943 moved into the Johnston Building on First Avenue, where it remained for 22 years.
In November 1965, the Coloma Township Library merged with the city of Rock Falls and formed the Rock Falls Public Library, which was then housed in the north wing of the Municipal Building, where it remained for three decades.
In the 1990s, the non-profit group K.I.D.S.S (Knowledge Increases Developing Skills for Success) was formed to raise money to build a new library. Thanks to the contributions of local residents and businesses, including former Rock Falls resident Dr. Louis Rubin, the new library became a reality. The Joseph and Dora Rubin Library Building, dedicated to Dr. Rubin’s parents, opened in February 2001.
In addition to a sizable book collection for all ages, the library subscribes to several newspapers and dozens of magazines. It also loans out audio books, CDs and DVDs.
Patrons can access the Internet from any of several computers, and computers also are available for children.
There are special reading programs for children and adults, and the library offers a book club, a craft club and other activities.
Library cards are free for Coloma Township residents or those who pay taxes on property within Coloma Township. Patrons outside of Coloma Township pay $60 a year per family. ROCK FALLS LIBRARY cont’d to page 17
ROCK FALLS
cont’d from page 16
Each summer, the library organizes crafts and other programs for children, and offers short-term, discounted library cards for children who live outside the township. Library cards can be used at other Illinois public libraries. Rock Falls has joined its collection with Dixon and Sterling public libraries, and with Sterling Public Schools, and Newman Central Catholic, Rock Falls and Dixon high schools, to form the Rock River Library Consortium. n
More info
Rock Falls Public Library
1007 Seventh Ave. 815-626-3958
Online: rockfallslibrary. com/ and find “Rock Falls Public Library
District” on Facebook
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday; closed Sunday
Rock Falls Electric Utilities
Nationally recognized Municipal Electric Agency One of only Three Communities in Illinois Est. 1895
Solar Field: Belt way Dr.
Hydro Plant: E 2nd St.
Rock Falls provides green, affordable, and reliable power to consumers and is transitioning our generation to a cleaner, more diverse portfolio in a responsible fashion while ensuring reliable supply and proving stable costs to our customers
Sterling Public Library, established in 1878, has grown and progressed along with the city. To keep up with this growth, the library has had several homes within the community as its collection of reading materials and number of patrons has increased. The current building was opened in November 1905, thanks to a donation by Andrew Carnegie. It was expanded in 1985, and again in 1995.
Three main departments serve patrons of all ages. The library even offers items in Spanish, and has extensive local history and genealogy resources. There is a community room and small study room available for public use.
The library houses about 57,000 items in many formats: print, audio, DVD, and electronic books. Newspapers, periodicals, public computers with Internet access, wi-fi, and microfilm of local newspapers is also available.
The library offers a host of digital library services on its website
There is a summer reading program for children and adults, and weekly story time for preschoolers year-round.
Library cards are available at no charge to residents within city limits, and for a fee to people outside city limits — contact the library for cost. Cards are valid for 2 years. People who live outside the city limits, but own property within the city limits, can get a free, 1-year library card with proof of property ownership.
Cards can be used at other Illinois public libraries. Sterling has joined its collection with Dixon and Rock Falls public libraries, and with Sterling Public Schools, St. Mary’s School in Sterling, and Newman Central Catholic, Rock Falls and Dixon high schools, to form the Rock River Library Consortium.
In addition, people with a valid library card from other public libraries in Illinois can register their card with the Sterling library for circulation privileges.
The library also offers more than just books. People can make copies or use a self-service scanner to scan documents into a PDF file. A notary public is on staff, and adult patrons can check out general admission passes to the Putnam Museum in Davenport.
In addition, the library has an extensive local history and genealogy collection supported by a part-time genealogist. The collection includes periodicals, books, genealogies and microfilm. It also has subscriptions to several internet databases that patrons may use on the library’s computers. n
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday & Tuesday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
IDEAL VENUE FOR FRIENDS & FAMILY GATHERINGS
• WEDDINGS
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• RECEPTIONS
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• GRADUATIONS
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HISTORIC BARN
Caterer of your choice or bring your own food. Handicapped accessible. Climate-controlled & Bounce House Friendly RENOVATED WITH YOU IN MIND
CGH Medical Center has been caring for patients since 1909, and today has more than a dozen area offices and clinics, including a bigger and better clinic in Rock Falls.
The hospital, which merged with the Sterling-Rock Falls Clinic, now the CGH Main Clinic, in December 2010, has facilities in Sterling, Rock Falls, Dixon, Milledgeville, Morrison, Mount Carroll, Polo, Prophetstown, Tampico and Walnut. Its service area encompasses 105,000 people, and it employs more than 1,400 people, with a staff of 140 physicians specializing in 35 different fields.
A 7,000-square-foot CGH Rock Falls Medical Center opened in 2019 at 1315 Dixon Ave., replacing the former facility at 100 W. First St. The clinic offers family practice services – wellness, disease prevention and treatment of minor illness in patients of all ages – and pediatric services.
While work was underway on the new clinic, CGH also completely remodeled the hospital’s fourth floor, which houses surgical patients. The 15,430-square-foot surgical floor now boasts a bariatric patient room, an isolation/negative pressure room, and two safe rooms. In addition, all 20 of the patient rooms on the floor got a makeover, with new paint and new floors. The lighting and heating systems were upgraded and all of the bathrooms were enlarged and remodeled.
The projects are just the latest in CGH’s ongoing efforts to meet the ever-changing demands of people’s health care needs.
In 2017, CGH unveiled its new pediatrics department, which got a wall-to-wall makeover, with new nurses stations, upgraded lighting, an enhanced security system, and a mural featuring fish, birds and other attention-grabbers that kids can gander at when they visit the hospital. In addition to the mural, artwork from students at Woodlawn Arts Academy will be displayed in the department, with different pieces featured periodically.
HEALTH CARE cont’d to page 21
In spring 2015, CGH opened a second Cardiac Cath Lab, and a new state-of-the-art Emergency Department that features 26 private treatment rooms, six easy care areas, two new trauma rooms, secured access, and streamlined registration.
CGH’s inpatient services include a 36-bed medical unit, a 28-bed surgical unit, 10 birthing center suites, six pediatric beds, and 18 CCU/ICU/Biotelemetry beds. Outpatient services include the stateof-the-art Cath Lab and an accredited laboratory.
Diagnostic imaging services include a 64-ring CT scanner, nuclear medicine with SPECT scanning, ultrasound, dedicated mammography including digital mammography and an inhouse, high field MRI.
MORE INFO
100 E. Le Fevre Road, Sterling 815-625-0400
Email: info@cghmc.com
Online: cghmc.com and facebook. com/cghmedicalcenter#, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram. Go to cghmc.com/locations for a list of CGH’s satellite locations.
HEALTH CARE OPTIONS
Residents of Sterling Rock Falls are also served by two other area hospitals, Morrison Community Hospital and Dixon’s OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center. Morrison Community Hospital 303 N. Jackson St., Morrison
Main phone: 815-772-4003 (for other numbers, go to morrisonhospital. com/contact-us)
Online: morrisonhospital.com/ and on Facebook
OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center
403 E. First St., Dixon | 815-288-5531 osfsaintkatharine.org
Other departments and services include a neurology laboratory, a GI laboratory and nutritional support, pain management, pharmacy, and respiratory therapy.
In addition, CGH offers an ambulatory surgical center, a digestive health center, physical and occupational therapy, a diabetic education department, a wound care center, and a 24-hour trauma ready emergency department.
It also operates its own day care center adjacent to the campus.
CGH and its satellite facilities provide tens of millions of dollars in free and discounted care yearly, and also gives back to the community through community sponsorships; donations and support; community partnerships; and supplementation of Community Services and Foundation programs, which provide for the health and wellness of community members.
Since 2013, CGH has received high grades for patient safety from the Leapfrog Group, including the A Safety Rating this spring. The Leapfrog Group collects and reports one-of-a-kind data to empower patients to choose the right hospital.
In 2023, CGH announced a major renovation project designed to enhance and modernize the most dated parts of the hospital: the entrance, lobby, Admitting department, Auxiliary Gift Shop, and the CGH Café. The project will involve 20,000 square feet of the facility and will, improve patient flow and create a more welcome lobby with expanded, comfortable seating; create a confidential admitting/discharge experience and a new reception area; improve security surveillance; add family patient consultation rooms, and make upgrades to the CGH Cafe and cafeteria seating area.
“This project is really about ensuring that our patients have the best experience we can possibly provide from the minute they walk in our doors,” Cindy Zander, CGH Vice President of Support Services, said in a news release. “We want them to feel welcome and relaxed in an environment that reflects the high quality of care and service we offer.”
“CGH Medical Center is honored to provide ... the very best care,” Dr. Paul Steinke, the medical center’s president and CEO, said in a statement. “We are proud of these achievements and believe it is a direct result of our physicians’, nurses’ and staffs’ dedication to outstanding care.” n
East Coloma-Nelson
Consolidated
Elementary District 20
East Coloma-Nelson School serves grades K-8. It has about 280 students, with about 15 in each class. K-5 students stay in self-contained classrooms, while 6-8 students rotate classes in preparation for high school.
East Coloma-Nelson School
1602 Dixon Ave.
815-625-4400
Online: ecoloma.net
Principal: Andrew Blackert
Rock Falls Elementary District 13
District 13 has a preschool, two grade schools, Merrill and Dillon, and Rock Falls Middle School. It has about 1,000 students in its four buildings. 602 Fourth Ave.
Enrollment: About 160 students with an average class size of 20
Principal: Christina Massat
Montmorency School District 145
Montmorency School serves grades K-8. It has about 350 students, with an average class size of 18
Montmorency School
9415 Hoover Road
815-625-6616
Online: mgs145.net/
Principal: Megan Dillon
Rock Falls Township High School District 301
Rock Falls High School
101 12th Ave.
815-625-3886
Online: www.rfhs301.org
Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: About 670 students, with an average class size of 15
Principal: Mike Berentes
Parochial School
St. Andrew Catholic Grade School
701 11th Ave.
815-625-1456
Online: https://standrewsgradeschool. org/
Grades: Pre-K through 8
Enrollment: About 112 students, with an average class size of 16
Principal: Katie Blakeslee
District 5
Community Unit School District 5 encompasses four grade schools, a middle school, and a high school. All four public elementary schools are part of an attendance center format.
Enrollment: About 360 students, with an average of 26 in each class.
Principal: Cindy Frank
Washington Elementary
815 W. LeFevre Road
815-625-2372
Online: sterlingpublicschools.org/o/wes
Grades:
3-5
Enrollment: About 375 students, with an average of 25 in each class
Principal: Emily Stephenitch
Vocational school
Whiteside Area Career Center
Whiteside Area Career Center serves students from 16 member school districts and four parochial schools in northwestern Illinois. There are about 600 students enrolled in programs that provide technical training in several areas, including business and related technology, consumer services, industrial technology and transportation services. Specialized career and technical skills are taught in a variety of occupations. Work-based learning programs also are offered.
1608 Fifth Ave. 815-626-5810
Online: wacc.cc/
Parochial Schools
Newman Central Catholic High School
Newman serves parishes in Lee, Bureau, Ogle and Whiteside counties. 1101 W. 23rd St. 815-625-0500
Online: newmancchs.org Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: About 250 students, with an average of 20 in each class.
Principal: Jennifer Oetting
St. Mary’s School
6 W. Sixth St.
815-625-2253
Online: smsterling.org/ Grades: Pre-K through 8
Enrollment: About 180 students, with an average of 18 in each class.
Principal: Melanie Selmi
Christ Lutheran School
2000 18th Ave.
815-625-3800
Online: christlutheranschool.com
Grades: Pre-K through 8
Enrollment: About 150 students, with an average of 15 in each class
Principal: The Rev. Kevin Koester
American Legion Post 902 — 712 Fourth Ave., Rock Falls; 815-626-3862; legion.org and on Facebook (Rock Falls American Legion Post 902 - Official Page”)
American Legion Post 296 — 601 First Ave., Sterling; 815-625-1212; legion.org and on Facebook (“Sterling American Legion - Blue Cap”)
Beta Sigma Phi women’s service organization — 888-238-2221; bspinternational.org
Boy Scouts of America, Blackhawk Area Council, White Eagle District — 815-3970210; blackhawkscouting.org and facebook. com/BlackhawkScouting
Carpenters Local 790 — 1008 Seventh Ave., Rock Falls; 815-626-1533; local790.com/
CGH Medical Center Auxiliary — 100 E. LeFevre Road, Sterling; or 815-625-0400, ext. 4642; cghmc.com/volunteer
Church Women United — 210 Fourth Ave., Rock Falls; churchwomenunitedillinois.org/ Crossroads Youth Ministries — 1800 Prophet Road, Rock Falls; 815-625-4371; facebook. com/crossroadsym815/
Daughters of the American Revolution, Rock River Chapter — ildar.org/chapters/rockriver/ Eagles Club 2783 — 321 W. Second St., Rock Falls; 815-625-2451 or rfaerie2783@comcast. net; facebook.com/RFEagles/
Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois — 229 First Ave. Rock Falls; 844-476-4463; girlscoutsni.org/ and facebook.com/GSNorthernIL/
4-H, University of Illinois Extension Office for Lee, Carroll and Whiteside counties — 12923 Lawrence Road in Sterling; 815-6323611; https://extension.illinois.edu/clw/4-hwhiteside-county and facebook.com/ UIExtension
Kiwanis of Sterling P.O. Box 44, Sterling; sterlingkiwanis.org and facebook.com/Kiwanisclubofsterlingillinois
Knights of Columbus No. 662 kofc.org or call the nearest Catholic church
Latin American Social Club — meets at 6 p.m. the first Monday of the month at Sterling Public Library; 815-626-8290
Thrivent Financial — offices in Sterling, Rock Falls and Dixon; local.thrivent.com/directory/
il/sterling; 800-847-4836
Masonic Lodge Rock River 612 — 113 1/2 W. Third St., Sterling Moose Lodge 726 — 2601 E. Lincolnway, Sterling; 815-625-0354; mooseintl.org/ location/726-sterling/ and on Facebook Optimist Club-Rock Falls optimistofrockfalls@gmail.com; optimist.org/member/clubdirectory/clubdetail.cfm?club=12302 and on Facebook (“Optimist Club of Rock Falls”) Optimist Club-Sterling sterling.optimist@ gmail.com; optimist.org/member/clubdirectory/clubdetail.cfm?club=12328 and on Facebook (Optimist Club of Sterling, IL”)
PEO Sisterhood Chapter CC — peoillinois.org Rebekah Lodge 202 Rock Falls — Go to iooflodgedirectory.org/directory-index/index. html and search for “J H Montague Reb Lodge”
Rock River Human Resources Professional Association P.O. Box 962, Dixon; rrhrpa. shrm.org and facebook.com/RRHRPA/ Rock River Valley Barbershop Chorus 815441-7881; rockrivervalleychorus.org and facebook.com/RRVBarbershoppers
Rotary Club, Twin City Sunrise rotary6420. org/clubInfo/twin-cities-(rock-falls-sterling) and facebook.com/twincitiessunriserotary
Rotary Club of Rock Falls — rockfallsrotary. org, rotary6420.org/clubInfo/rock-falls and on facebook.com/rockfallsrotary
Sterling Noon Rotary — sterlingilrotary.com, rotary6420.org/clubInfo/sterling and facebook.com/sterlingnoonrotary
Sauk Valley Association of Realtors — 2605 Woodlawn Road No. 4, Sterling; 815-626-8148
Sauk Valley Landlord Association P.O. Box 401, Rock Falls; svla.org
Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society — 1005 E. Third St., Sterling; 815-622-6215; srfhs. com and facebook.com/Srfhs/#
United Methodist Women of Rock Falls — 210 Fourth Ave., Rock Falls; 815-625-0114; rockfallsumc.org/
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5418 — 217 First Ave., Rock Falls; 815-626-3513
Whiteside County Genealogists genealogytrails.com/ill/whiteside and facebook.com/ whitesidecountygenealogists
Yak Yak Sisters, kayaking club for men and women — Find “Yak Yak Sisters” on Facebook.
Abiding Word Christian Center Food Pantry
— 806 E. Lynn Blvd., Sterling; 815-6261827; abidingwordchurch.org
Alzheimer’s Association, Rock River Branch — 93 S. Hennepin Ave., Dixon; alz.org; 815-285-1100
American Cancer Society — 4312 E. State St., Rockford; 815-229-1287; cancer.org
American Red Cross of Northwest Illinois — 727 N. Church St., Rockford; redcross.org/local/ illinois/about-us/locations/northwest-illinois. html; 815-963-8471
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Whiteside County — 506 W. Fourth St., Suite 27, Sterling; 815-7168987; bbbsmv.org or facebook.com/bbbswhiteside
Department of Human Services — 2605 Woodlawn Road, Suite 4, Sterling; 815-6324045; www.dhs.state.il.us/
First Church of the Nazarene Helping Hands — 1208 E. Fourth St., Sterling; 815-6251146; sterlingnaz.com/ministries/helpinghands/ and on Facebook
F.I.S.H. Food Pantry — 902 E. Fifth St., Sterling; 815-626-1734
Happy Tails Humane Society — 1408 McNeil Road, Rock Falls; 815-626-2994; happytailsani-
malshelter.org and facebook.com/happy. tails.395
Home of Hope Cancer Wellness Center — 1637 Plock Road, Dixon; 815-288-4673; homeofhopeonline.org and facebook.com/HopeCWC
Rock River Hospice & Home — 2706 Ave. E, Sterling; 815-625-3858; hospicerockriver. org and facebook.com/HopeCWC
Lutheran Social Services — 1901 First Ave., Sterling; 815-626-7333; lssi.org
Marine Corps League, Sauk Valley Detachment 913 — Rock Falls American Legion, 712 Fourth Ave., Rock Falls; 815-441-2243
Prairie State Legal Services — 1600 Fourth Ave., Suite 200 Rock Island, (serving Henry, Lee, Mercer, Rock Island, and Whiteside counties); 309-794-1328, 800-322-9804; pslegal.org or facebook.com/PrairieStateLegalServices
Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce — 601 W. 10th St., Rock Falls; 815-625-4500; rockfallschamber.com and facebook.com/rockfallschamber
Rock Falls Rotary Club — P.O. Box 902 Rock Falls; 815-325-4120; www.rockfallsrotary.org or facebook.com/rockfallsrotary
SERVICE
AGENCIES cont’d to page 26
Stay. P lay. Explore.
www.visitrockfalls.com
Rock Falls Tourism — 603 W. 10th St., Rock Falls; 815-622-1106; visitrockfalls.com/ and facebook.com/visitrockfalls
Salvation Army — 409 Ave. F, Sterling; 815-6251622; centralusa.salvationarmy.org/sterling/ and facebook.com/SASterlingIL/
Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce — 211 Locust St., Sterling; 815-625-2400; saukvalleyareachamber.com and facebook.com/ SaukValleyChamber
Sauk Valley Food Bank — 1801 Plant Road, Sterling; saukvalleyfoodbank.org/ or facebook. com/saukvalleyfoodbank; 815-625-4556
Sauk Valley Friends of Ferals — 601 W. Route 30, Rock Falls; 815-590-3290; facebook.com/ SaukValleyFriendsOfFerals
Self Help Enterprises — 2300 W. LeFevre Road, Sterling; 815-626-3115; selfhelpenterprises. org and facebook.com/selfhelpenterprises
Sinnissippi Centers — 2611 Woodlawn Road, Sterling; 815-625-0013 or 800-242-7642 (24hour emergency hotline); sinnissippi.com and facebook.com/SinnissippiCenters
Society of St. Vincent De Paul Society — 7 W. Sixth St., Sterling; 815-625-0311; svdp-
saukvalley.org/ or facebook.com/svdpsterlingrockfalls/
Tri County Opportunities Council — 405 Emmons Ave., Rock Falls; 800-323-5434; tcochelps.org and on Facebook
Trinity United Methodist Church Food Pantry — 205 E. 10th St., Sterling; 815-626-7777; facebook.com/SterlingTrinityIL/
Twin Cities PADS Homeless Shelter — 111 E. 29th St., Sterling; 815-626-2210; twincitiespads. org and facebook.com/TwinCitiesPads
United Way of Whiteside County — 502 First Ave., Sterling; 815-625-7973; unitedwayofwhitesidecounty.org and facebook. com/uwwhitesidecounty
Whiteside County Senior Center — 1207 W. Ninth St., Sterling; 815-622-9230; wc-seniorcenter.org and facebook.com/whitesideilseniors/
White Oak Women’s Clinic — 1503 1st Ave, Suite C, Rock Falls; myfutureapproved.com/ white-oak-clinic/ and facebook.com/whiteoakwomensclinic; 815-408-0793
YMCA Sterling-Rock Falls — 2505 Ave. E, Sterling; 815-535-9622; srfymca.org/ and facebook. com/SRFYMCA/
Love God Love People Serve the World
US SUNDAYS 8:30am/10:30am
Rock Falls
The Coloma Township Park District was formed in 1925 and is governed by an elected five-member board of commissioners who serve six-year terms without compensation. It is the second largest park system in Whiteside County, serving the residents of Coloma Township and adjacent unincorporated areas. More information: colomatownshipparkdistrict.com, find it on Facebook, call 815-625-0272.
Bennett Park — West Bennett Drive; playground and picnic area
Bowman Family Park — downtown riverfront; fishing, pavilions and scenic area
Centennial Park — Avenue D and East 11th Street; ball diamonds, tennis courts, playground, canoeing and paddleboating, fishing, ice skating, monument, pavilions, picnic area, and scenic area
Dillon Park West — 19th Street and 11th Avenue; ball diamonds, playground, and picnic area
Joshua Park — U.S. Route 30 and Riverdale Road; ball diamond, basketball court, disc golf course, playground, picnic shelter, and restrooms
Kiwanis Park — West 12th Street and Seventh Avenue; ball diamonds, playground, pavilions, and picnic area
Liberty Bell Monument Park — junction of Route 88 and Second Avenue; replica of the Liberty Bell
Logan Memorial Park East U.S. Route 30; playground, picnic area, and scenic area
Lower Dam Park — downtown riverfront; boat ramp and fishing, excellent for Eagle watching
Nims Park — East Third Street and Avenue E; ball diamonds, basketball court, disc golf course, playground, pavilions, and picnic area
Optimist Park — 14th Avenue and Prophet Road; ball diamonds, playground, and picnic area
RB&W District Park — East Second Street, on the riverfront downtown near the First Avenue Bridge; green space area includes entertainment venue, art and
sculptures, parks, a trail, and restrooms
Rotary Park — East Minkle Road; ball diamonds, playground, pavilions, and picnic area
Seward-Riverside Park — East Second Street and Avenue C; fishing, playground, boat launch, picnic area, and scenic area
A.V. Sieglinger Park — Ninth Avenue and 22nd Street; ball diamonds, playground, pavilions, and picnic area
Veterans Memorial Park — West Fifth Street and Galt Avenue; bandshell and monument, commemorative bricks
Wallingford Park East Eighth Street and Avenue C; ball diamonds, basketball courts, playground, pavilions, and picnic area
Sterling
The Sterling Park District encompasses 596 acres featuring 5 facilities, 14 park sites, 8.5-miles of bike paths. For more information, go to sterlingparks.org, find it on Facebook, or call 815-622-6200.
Dillon Home Museum — 1005 E. Third St.: Constructed in 1857, the Dillon Home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Douglas Park — 2100 Chestnut Ave.: Basketball courts and playground equipment.
Duis Recreation Center — 211 E. 23rd St.: Gymnastics Center, swimming pool, party rentals.
Eberley Park — 2699 West LeFevre Road: 1.5-mile soft surface walking path.
Emerald Hill Golf Course — 16802 Prairieville Road: 18-hole golf course and driving range.
Frasor Administrative Office — 1913 Third Ave.: Home of the Park District’s administrative offices and park maintenance operations.
Gartner Park 212 W. LeFevre Road: Eight baseball diamonds.
Harry Kidd Field — 1219 W. Seventh St.: Full-size football field.
Hoover Park — 3807 Woodlawn Road: Playground, picnic area, open play area, bike path access.
PARKS cont’d to page 28
Kilgour Park — 400 W. 15th St.: Basketball courts, tennis courts, Imagination Station playground, 9-hole disc golf course, picnic area, open play area.
Lawrence Park — Avenue G Island: Boat Launch, fishing, horseshoe courts, picnic area, open play area.
Martin’s Landing and Sinnissippi Dam Walkway — Broadway and East Second Street (behind the Dillon Home): Fishing, trail connection to the Hennepin Canal Parkway Trail, bike path access.
Oppold Marina — 523 Stouffer Road: Boat Launch, boat slip rental, fishing, picnic areas, playground area, open play areas.
Propheter Park — 506 E. Sixth Street: Basketball courts, playground, open play area.
Redfield Park — 14th Ave. and East Second Street: Playground, open play area, bike path access.
Scheid Park — 1102 Woodburn Ave.:
Basketball courts, soccer fields, playground, open play areas.
Sinnissippi Park — Sinnissippi Road: 27-hole Disc Golf Course, bike path access, picnic areas, open play areas, sled hill, playgrounds, national historic site.
Thomas Park/Dogwood Acres Dog Park — 2301 12th Ave.: Pickleball courts, basketball courts, fishing, playground, bike path access.
Westwood Fitness and Sports Center — 1900 Westwood Drive: Three buildings; over 40,000 square foot of fitness equipment; functional training space; boxing equipment; indoor fitness turf; 200-meter indoor track; indoor basketball, volleyball, tennis, pickleball, racquetball/wallyball court; plus, an indoor batting cage, indoor baseball/softball turf practice area and a 60-yard indoor soccer/football field. Also, the home of the Westwood Smoothie Co., and Kids Gym. Outside on the Westwood grounds, includes softball diamonds, tennis courts, soccer/football fields, and bike path access.
Rock Falls
Apostolic
New Life Tabernacle — 920 Ave. D, 815718-6657; find “New Life Tabernacle Church” on Facebook
Assembly of God
Rock River Christian Center — 1800 Prophetstown Road; 815-625-4371; rrccag. org and facebook.com/rrccag
Baptist
Liberty Baptist Church — 606 Emmons Ave.; 815-625-4101; givemelibertybaptist. org and facebook.com/givemelibertybaptist2
Maranatha Baptist Church — 2103 Walter St.; 815-625-8978
St. Andrew Catholic Church — 708 10th Ave.; 815-625-4508; standrewrockfalls. org and facebook.com/st.andrewrockfalls
Congregational
First Congregational United Church of Christ — 905 Dixon Ave.; 815-625-3314; find “First Congregational Church of Rock Falls” on Facebook
Disciples of Christ
First Christian Church — 506 Fifth Ave.; 815-626-2271; fccrockfalls.blogspot.com or facebook.com/fccrockfalls
Evangelical
Evangelical Congregational Church — 1602 13th Ave., 815-625-5360
Foursquare
Foursquare Church — 1501 11th Ave.; 815-625-5040; foursquare.org/ churches/31679 or find “Rock Falls Foursquare Gospel Church” on Facebook
Lutheran
Good Shepherd Lutheran — 435 Martin Road; 815-625-3376; gslcrf.org and on Facebook
Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran — 501 Eighth Ave.; 815-625-3575; immanuelrockfalls.org and on facebook.com/ImmanuelRockFalls
Methodist
Rock Falls United Methodist Church —
210 Fourth Ave.; 815-625-0114; rockfallsumc.org and facebook.com/RockFallsUMC
Nondenominational
Harvest Time Bible Church — 1802 Dixon Ave.; 815-626-1234; htbc.info and facebook.com/HarvestTimeBibleChurch/
Open Bible
First Open Bible Church — 2105 E. Rock Falls Road; 815-625-1957; fobrf.org and on Facebook (“First Open Bible Church of Rock Falls, IL”)
First Baptist Church — 1705 Sixth Ave.; 815-625-1288
Macedonia Baptist Church — 1313 Woodburn Ave.; 815-625-6473: on Facebook (“Macedonia Baptist Church”)
New Hope Baptist Church — 25059 Como Road; 815-625-8492; newhopecomo.org/ or facebook.com/newhopebaptistcomo
Catholic
Sacred Heart Catholic Church — 2224 Ave. J; 815-625-1134; sacredheartparish. net and on Facebook (“Sacred Heart Catholic Church”)
St. Mary Catholic Church — 600 Ave. B; 815-625-1684; stmarysterlingil.org/ and on Facebook (“St Mary’s Catholic Church”)
Church of Christ
16th Avenue Church of Christ — 1902 16th Ave.; 815-625-2251; www.16avechurch.com/ and facebook.com/16avechurchofchrist/
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints — 2709 16th Ave., 815-625-1229; local.churchofjesuschrist.org/en/us/il/ sterling/2709-16th-avenue
CHURCHES
cont’d to page 30
cont’d from page 29
Congregational
Big Red Church — 311 Second Ave.; 815625-5112; www.thebigredchurchsterling. org/ and facebook.com/TheBigRedChurch
Disciples of Christ
First Christian Church — 3400 N. Sixth Ave.; 815-625-6851; firstchristianchurchofsterling.org and on Facebook (“First Christian Church of Sterling, Illinois”)
Episcopal
Grace Episcopal — 707 First Ave.; 815-6250442; episcopalgrace.org and facebook. com/episcopalgrace/
Jewish
Temple Sholom — 510 E. 10th St.; 815625-2599
Lutheran
First Lutheran Church of Jordan — 20314 Hickory Hills Road; 815-625-5407; on Facebook (“First Lutheran Church of Jordan, Sterling, IL”)
Messiah Lutheran Church — 1601 Ave. F; 815-625-2284; mlcsterling.org/ and facebook.com/messiahsterling/
New Life Lutheran Church — 702 W. Lynn Blvd.; 815-499-6552; nllutheran.com and facebook.com/newlifesaukvalley
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran — 703 Third Ave; 815-625-2634; stjohnssterling. org and facebook.com/SterlingStJohns
St. Paul Lutheran — 1701 16th Ave.; 815625-3069; stpaulsterling.com and facebook.com/StPaulSterling/?fref=ts
Mennonite
Science Ridge Mennonite Church — 1702 E. 37th St.; 815-626-0538; www.scienceridgechurch.org/ and on Facebook
Methodist
East Jordan United Methodist — 22027 Polo Road; 815-626-0104; eastjordanchurch.org and on Facebook (“East Jordan United Methodist Church of Sterling”)
First United Methodist Church — 501 Broadway Ave.; 815-625-0244; on Facebook
Trinity United Methodist — 205 E. 10th St.; 815-626-7777; find “Sterling Trinity” on Facebook
Wesley United Methodist Church — 2200 16th Ave.; 815-625-1968; sterlingwesley. org and facebook.com/SterlingWesleyUMC
Nazarene
First Church of the Nazarene — 411 13th Ave.; 815-625-0864; sterlingnaz.com and facebook.com/sterlingnaz
Nondenominational
Abiding Word Church — 806 E. Lynn Blvd.; 815-626-1827; abidingwordchurch. org and facebook.com/awc815
Amazing Grace of Sterling — 512 Second Ave., 815-625-9300; revivalfires.net and facebook.com/AGAsterling
Faith Family Fellowship — 417 E. Third St.; 815-626-2577; faithfamily.faithweb.com
Modern Light Church/Firehouse of God Ministries — 306 Fifth Ave.; 815-6229490; on facebook.com/firehouseofgodministries/
Full Gospel Assembly — 3807 River Road; 815-535-2049; facebook.com/FullGospelAssemblyHouseOfPrayer/ Shalom Assembly of Yahweh — 26477 Fulfs Road; 537-808-6435; forhisname.org and on Facebook (“Shalom Assembly”)
The Living Bread — 1003 Griswold Ave.; 815-626-6941
Presbyterian
First Presbyterian Church — 410 Second Ave.; 815-625-0452; firstpresbyteriansterling.org and facebook.com/FirstPresbyterianSterling/
Reformed
Bethel Reformed Church — 230 E. 23rd St.; 815-626-1816; bethelreformed.org and facebook.com/BethelSterlingIllinois/
Salvation Army
Salvation Army — 409 Ave. F, 815-6251622; centralusa.salvationarmy.org/sterling/ or find “The Salvation Army Sterling/ Rock Falls IL” and facebook.com/SASterlingIL/
