A new book chronicling the history of churches throughout Wayne County will be released for sale tomorrow (Saturday) at two Fairfield locations.
“So Great a Cloud of Witnesses: The Churches of Wayne County, Illinois” is a 200-page hardback book featuring an index and numerous historical photographs.
Copies will be available beginning at 9 a.m. tomorrow at Fairfield Public Library, 200 SE 2nd Street and Uniquely Rustique, 705 West Main Street.
The book costs $32, with payment by cash or check only. The Wayne County Historical Society says the price covers printing expenses, and the organization is taking no profit from the project.
The book was developed over more than two years by Editor Judith Puckett and Associate Editor Donna Green Savage. About 150 churches are included, representing both historic and current congregations. Information was gathered from archival materials, interviews, submissions from churches and individuals, research and online sources.
The Historical Society printed 400 copies. About 100 have already been reserved, while another 50 have been set aside for genealogical and denominational organizations and for permanent copies at the WCHS Boggs Memorial Archives.
That leaves approximately 250 copies available for public sale. Organizers say this is a one-time printing and no additional copies are planned.
Following Saturday’s release, remaining books will continue to be available at the Fairfield Public Library circulation desk and at Uniquely Rustique.