Jubilee College State Historic Site

Jubilee College State Historic Site Illinois's first cathedral and a higher education institution. Founded in 1839 by Philander Chase.

Managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Historic Sites Division, Jubilee College State Historic Site was founded in 1839 by the first Episcopal Bishop of Illinois, Philander Chase. The main building was restored in the 1970s and 1980s to feature a library, study, dormitory, and chapel representative of the original school. Jubilee College is located 15 miles northwest of Peoria off of I-74 or State Route 150.

05/22/2026

Save the date! Saturday, June 20 at Jubilee College State Historic Site. The Citizens to Preserve Jubilee College are hosting an Old Fashioned Family Picnic from 11-3. Pack a picnic, bring family & friends to Jubilee for a day of community fun. Drinks and sweet treats will be for sale with proceeds going towards college maintenance. The college will be open for tours. Ukulele Fun Strum will be performing. Outdoor activities will be available for children and adults, or you can bring your own. Slow life down for a few hours and join us for a day of family fun!

05/20/2026

Summer hours at the College starting this week.

Now open for tours
Fridays and Saturdays 12:00-3:00

05/18/2026

From October 1835 through April 1836 Bishop Chase traveled to England to raise money for his proposed seminary in Illinois. This is his first fundraising trip to acquire money to build his dream that would become Jubilee College.

Let Weaver's do the cooking on Monday. All proceeds go towards window replacement in Jubilee College.
04/25/2026

Let Weaver's do the cooking on Monday. All proceeds go towards window replacement in Jubilee College.

04/19/2026

April 1847: Jubilee College acquires a printing press and publications bearing the college imprint begin. The school magazine entitled The Motto was among those publications. The press is long gone, but the print shop still stands right inside the gates at Jubilee College State Historic Site.

03/10/2026

March 9, 1835
The primary Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Illinois appointed semi-retired Philander Chase, who was living on a farm in Michigan, as the first bishop of Illinois.

02/14/2026

Jubilee College winter hours are Saturdays 12-3. If you visit the college or the park, be sure to walk around the cemetery where the Bishop and many of his family members are buried.

01/26/2026

A poem in the booklet "Gates".
Jubilee College 1977
Oaks as old as stone, their bark crevices like history you could hide in.
The Bishop once towered over their seedling starts, crushed acorns under his feet.
They send roots now into watermains and coffins.
A certain abandon: to say Thou to these mysteries unfolding.
We walk through them like gates.
Brooks O. McDaniel

01/17/2026

Stop by Jubilee College to visit the art on display.
Winter hours:Saturday 12-3 p.m.

01/12/2026

Here, in Bishop Chases's own words, is how Jubilee got its name.
"That name, above all others, suits my feelings. I wish to rejoice that God hath permitted me to return into his gracious favor. In 1831, I left these dear places named Gambler Hill and Kenyon College-in 1838 came to blow the trumpet for joy, that another school, more than 500 miles towards the setting sun, is founded to the glory of the great redeemer.

Address

11817 Jubilee College Road
Brimfield, IL
61517

Opening Hours

Friday 12pm - 3pm
Saturday 12pm - 3pm

Telephone

+13092439489

Website

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