The Sheridan Road Apostolic Christian Church of Peoria began in 1850. Brother Joseph Virkler came to the Peoria area in 1850 from New York State and delivered the first sermon of the Apostolic Christian doctrine. In 1852 services were held at the home of a Sister Sommer living on the Metamora Road and Brother Johannes Kraehenbuehl (Kreinbill), one the earliest converts in Illinois, was their minister for the six other members assembled there.

In 1851, John Frederic Hartman and wife Anna Marie Eleanora and family moved to Peoria from Detmold Lippe (Germany) via St. Louis, MO. They assembled with the believers, repented and a short time later, Brother Hartman became the minister in Peoria. Soon, the small congregation of about twenty souls assembled in his home at 1507 North Monroe Street.
   
In 1874, the assembly room at Brother Hartman’s home became too small for the growing congregation. A decision was made to build a wood frame church at 511 Green Street and this church was completed May 10, 1874 at a cost of $1,000.

In 1896, the members of the Green Street Church decided their building was too small for the growing assembly, so it was torn down and a brick building was erected on the same site costing $7,500.

In 1949, the Peoria membership had grown significantly during the fifty years it used the Green Street Church and was now not large enough to accommodate the growing congregation. A decision was made to build a new church and land was purchased at 3420 North Sheridan Road in 1949. The present church was dedicated December 10, 1950. It cost approximately $350,000 and seats 950 people.

In 1977, the need for an enlarged dining room became apparent and a large church addition was built and opened on January 8, 1978. It included a dining room, kitchen, fellowship area, Sunday School facilities, mother and baby room, rest rooms, and several improvements to the original church at a cost of approximately $800,000.

In 1985, a tape library with duplication equipment was established. Later, in 1986, the conference room was redecorated and refurnished and in 1987, the former dining room on the lower level was carpeted and converted into additional fellowship area and is used extensively by Sunday School students. Also during this year, the church foyer and dining room were re-carpeted, the foyer repainted, and an Adult Bible Study room was provided on the lower level.

In 1992, the baby room was renovated and redecorated to provide for necessary improvements.

In 1996, new driveways on both sides of the church and across the rear of the church were completed. Also, a driveway across the front of the church was installed to provide better access to the front door for those who need a shorter walking distance of who may be handicapped and for use at funeral services. The church grounds were completely re-landscaped during this construction period with new trees and bushes and brick edging which greatly enhanced the beauty of our church building.

in 1999, the main parking lot was reconstructed in concrete with trees and flowers in landscaped planter boxes. A fence of bollards with connecting chain at the East entrance completed the enhancements of our church grounds.

During 2001 a completely new sound and speaker system was installed which provided greater clarity and improved hearing for the entire congregation. Also, the lowerlevel rest rooms were renovated and redecorated.