Historic Churches
The First Baptist Church of Aurora had its beginning in 1837 when a small group of settlers began meeting in a school house near Big Woods. A few years later they moved to Aurora, and most of the congregation followed. The first church was a frame structure completed in 1854. In 1886 the original building was moved to the back of the lot and the present church was constructed in the Romanesque style. Stylistic features include the round arched windows grouped in three, and rough-faced stonework. It was designed by the Chicago architectural firm of Edbrooke and Burnham.- First United Methodist Church 1872
- German Methodist Church, 1887
- Grace Lutheran Church, 1917
- New England Congregational Church, 1890
The congregation originally founded this church in 1837 in the log cabin of Samuel and Phoebe McCarty. By 1843, a frame church was built for the 30 to 40 members at the current site. It was enlarged on two occasions before constructing the current building in 1872. Built of locally quarried stone in the Gothic style, features of this building include the arched windows, massive support buttresses (vertical masonry supports along the sides of the building), and stained glass quartrefoil tracery. The original spire was severely damaged in a storm and subsequently removed in 1951. Fire destroyed the original stained glass windows in 1953, and these have been replaced.Address
Southwest corner of Benton Street and Lincoln AvenueAurora, IL 60505
This church was constructed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style featuring round arched windows and entrance, and a square tower with rough-faced stone arches supported by pillars. The Tiffany rose window was a later addition, and was donated by Hedley Jobbins. The congregation was originally established in 1858. 
Constructed in the Gothic Revival style, this church features two corner towers, Gothic arched windows, and buttresses. The rose window above the altar is nine feet in diameter, and was made in the United States. The other windows were designed by a German firm. More than 100 volunteers dug the trenches for the foundation by hand in less than three hours. The original congregation included many Irish immigrants.
The early members of this congregation immigrated from the regions of Satu Mare and Salaj in Transylvania, at the time a part of Hungary. The current building replaced the original wooden church that was built in 1908. It is constructed in the Romanesque Revival style, and has been carefully preserved including the interior iconostasis. This is a screen with beautifully painted icons, columns, arches and pediments that separates the chancel space from the congregation.
A designated a local landmark, this Gothic Revival church was constructed primarily by German and Luxembourg immigrants. The congregation is now primarily Hispanic. Levi Waterhouse was the contractor for the church. Constructed of brick with limestone detailing, it features Gothic arched windows with beautiful tracery, stained glass windows, and buttresses.Address
302 High StreetAurora, IL 60505
Still occupied by the founding denomination, this native limestone church was constructed in the Gothic Revival style. The congregation was established in 1849, and services were held in the homes of various members until a brick Gothic style church was built at the northeast corner of Spruce and North Lake Street (demolished). By the 1860s, there were more east side members than west side members, and a movement was started to build this church at South Lincoln Avenue and East Benton Street. Many of the early members were of English descent.