Oldest Church in Fox Lake Closing

7/21/11 – The oldest church in Fox Lake will be closing this fall. The First Congregational United Church of Christ has served the community since 1853 and was even used as a recruiting station for soldiers during the Civil War. Time has taken its toll and church treasurer Bev Connor told the city council last night the dissolving of the congregation is needed due to its size and health. However, the church wants to keep the building as part of the community and for that reason they’ve voted to donate it to the Fox Lake Historical Society. Church members told the council the upkeep of the building would be relatively inexpensive and the council appeared receptive to the donation. The church will hold a special ceremony on October 23rd prior to the official closing the following week. City Administrator Bill Petracek said he would draw up the necessary papers to allow the city to accept the donation. The council plans to act on them later this summer.