Southwest Illinois Tourism
Southwest Illinois Tourism on IllinoisBeautiful.com Southwest Illinois Tourism - your Illinois Tourist Guide to Vacations, Attractions and Events
Holy Family Log Church - Cahokia, Illinois
Holy Family Log Church - Cahokia, Illinois
The Holy Family Parish Log Church in Cahokia, Illinois is the oldest continuously sited church in the state of Illinois. The Holy Family Parish is the second oldest Catholic Parish in the state being established in May of 1699 when the French priest Father Jean St. Cosme and two workmen erected a missionary cross, a chapel and a log rectory. The original log church built by Father St. Cosme was destroyed by a fire in the 1730’s and the subsequent church was also destroyed by fire in 1783. Only a bell suspended from a tree in the churchyard, a missal printed in 1683, a monstrance made in 1717, a chalice, and a paten were saved from the 1783 fire. Pope John Paul II used the chalice in his Mass when he visited St. Louis in 1999.
Then construction on the present church, with a capacity of over 100 people, was begun but it was not until 1799 that the Church was dedicated. The church’s construction is typical of the French Creole architecture of the era. Built in the poteaux-sur-solle (post-on-sill) manner, a vertical log style that uses hewn walnut logs placed upright on a horizontal base. The roof timbers are oak, and the roof itself is made of cypress clapboards covered by sycamore and the church is held together entirely with wooden pegs instead of nails. In l949, Father Joseph Mueller "rediscovered" the old log church that had been covered over with white clapboarding and the Log Church was restored in time for the parish’s 250th anniversary.
An old cemetery that contains the graves of many of the parish’s priests and the locally prominent Jarrot family is located behind the church.
Visiting the Holy Family Parish Log Church
Visiting Hours
(Times subject to availability of the volunteer docents)
Open for Latin Mass each Sunday at 9 am
Open for tours with advance notice 10 am - 4 pm from Memorial Day through Labor Day
There is no charge to visit the Holy Family Parish Log Church.
Location: Cahokia, Illinois The Holy Family Parish Log Church is located near the intersection of IL-157 and IL-3.
Charter Oak “8-Sided” School - Randolph Cty, Illinois
Charter Oak "8-Sided" School - Randolph Cty, Illinois
Charter Oak School is said to be the only octagonal one-room brick schoolhouse in Illinois. It was built in 1873, in accordance with a design suggested by Daniel Ling, a teacher of the Charter Oak School District. It served as a school until 1953. The Octagonal shape utilizes daylight and offers wind resistance.
St. Peter’s Cathedral - Belleville, Illinois
St. Peter’s Cathedral - Belleville, Illinois
St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Cathedral is the largest cathedral in Illinois and serves the people of Belleville and the Catholic Diocese of Belleville, which includes all of southern Illinois.
This Renaissance Gothic architectural masterpiece has a 222 ft. tall bell tower. Gothic architecture characterizes any of the styles of medieval European architecture, in particular those associated with cathedrals and churches, developed between the 12th and 14th centuries.
Bond County Courthouse - Greenville, Illinois
BOND COUNTY COURTHOUSE - GREENVILLE, ILLINOIS
The current Bond County Courthouse was built following a fire which destroyed the already too small courthouse on March 24, 1883. In January, 1884 the county commissioners accepted plans for the present courthouse and awarded a $20,000 contract for its construction.
1836 Statehouse Historic Site - Vandalia, Illinois
1836 Statehouse Historic Site - Vandalia, Illinois
The Vandalia State House, the fourth Illinois statehouse, served as the capitol from 1836 until 1839 and is the oldest surviving capitol building in the state.
The Vandalia State House is significant for its association with Abraham Lincoln, who served in the House of Representatives.
Garden of the Gods - Karbers Ridge, Illinois
Garden of the Gods - Karbers Ridge, Illinois
Step back 200 million years, hiking scenic bluffs and challenging trails through the sprawling Shawnee National Forest, which stretches between the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Start out with the easy 1/4-mile Observation Trail to view outstanding sandstone rock formations such as Camel Rock, Anvil Rock and the Devil’s Smokestack.
Rend Lake - Benton, Illinois
Rend Lake - Benton, Illinois
The Rend Lake Visitor Center, located at the east end of the Main Dam Road, is a great place to begin your visit to Rend Lake and learn about the exciting recreational opportunities available in the area. A multi-screen slide presentation, an interactive computer station, and a variety of additional exhibits invite you to learn more about the flora and fauna that inhabit the Rend Lake area.
Shawnee National Forest - Harrisburg, Illinois
Shawnee National Forest - Harrisburg, Illinois
The park offers more than 270,000 acres to ride horse, hike, camp, fish, swim and anything else you want to do in a state park.
Explore the forest on horseback or grab a backpack and hike the 160-mile River to River Trail. Rock climbing and rappelling are permitted in several designated areas.
Shawnee Queen River Taxi - Rosiclare, Illinois
Shawnee Queen River Taxi - Rosiclare, Illinois
Take a scenic cruise on the historic Ohio River, making stops in the river towns of Golconda, Rosiclare, Elizabethtown and Cave-in-Rock along the way. You will be able to enjoy the sights along the way in both Kentucky and Illinois, from caves to beautiful homes and lots of nature.
Fort Massac State Park - Metropolis, Illinois
Fort Massac State Park - Metropolis, Illinois
Overlooking the mighty Ohio River at the southern tip of Illinois, Fort Massac State Park has been preserved and maintained since 1908, when it became Illinois’ first state park. The historic site is a replica of the 1802 American fort that was originally located on the site. Kids especially enjoy climbing and exploring the fort. An on-site interpreter can answer questions and further explain the Native American artifacts and military items on display, representing the period when the French occupied the fort.
