News Progress

The First Sermon in Moultrie County

•March 25, 2026•

by Janey Roney

The year 2028 will be the two-hundredth anniversary of the first Christian sermon preached in Moultrie County. It was delivered at the cabin of Samuel Washington Lindley by Rev. Miles Hart, a Methodist.

Lindley had come with his father-in-law, John Whitley, in the fall of 1826, a part of the first pioneer settlement in Moultrie County. While most of the Whitleys built their cabins along Whitley Creek, Lindley settled a mile south on Linn Creek along the ancient Kaskaskia-Detroit Road (a short distance northeast of the jog in the present Western Avenue Road, four miles east of Illinois Route 32).

•March 18, 2026•

March 25th, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.: Money March Madness. This event is geared towards children in grades 5 through 8. Shelby County State Bank will be speaking with youth about saving money, finance, and investing.

April 2nd, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.: Book Club. The book club’s concept is centered on reading a book with the themes of fresh starts and new beginnings.

April 18th, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.: Princess Day. Children are encouraged to dress up in their princess best and listen to stories read by the Shelby County Fair Queens.

•March 18, 2026•

On Thursday, April 9th, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., the community of Lovington will be holding its first of their seasonal Farmer’s Market in downtown Lovington. Items in the market will be fresh, local, and community-sourced. Items include farm fresh produce, homemade and baked goods, sweet treats, plants and flowers, and local crafts and handmade items. 

The market will be held on the second Thursday of each month, from April through August. Vendor space is available, with no fees. For those interested in becoming a vendor, call (217) 521-7623 for more information.

•March 18, 2026•

Lake Land College will hold its annual commencement ceremony on Friday, May 15th, in the campus Field House. Students who have or will finish their programs following completion of the Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026 semesters will be recognized at the ceremony. To ensure all graduates are able to have their loved ones attend the in-person ceremony, Field House admission on the day of commencement will be limited only to guests wearing wristbands. Each graduate will receive four wristbands to share with the guests of their choice. Graduates will be able to pick up their wristbands at the Admissions & Records Office in the Luther Student Center from May 11th through 15th. 

•March 18, 2026•

The Governor Richard J. Oglesby Mansion and Museum, located at 421 West William Street (Decatur), will be hosting an Open House on Sunday, March 29th (2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.). Tourists are encouraged to take pictures inside the home. Tours are hosted by volunteer docents, current and past members of the board of directors of the mansion. Suggested donation of $5 per adult and $2 per child. All donations go to maintain the contents of the museum.