Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
12/16/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/17/2025 11:56
Greet Christmas at dawn at Colony Church in Bishop Hill
SPRINGFIELD - The Christmas tradition of Julotta returns to the Bishop Hill State Historic Site in Henry County this holiday season with a nondenominational church service at 6 a.m. Christmas Day at the Colony Church. The event is open to the public.
The word Julotta comes from the Swedish words for "yule" and "before dawn." Christmas morning in Sweden historically begins with attendance at a Julotta service. Since 1970, the service has been a tradition in Bishop Hill to help reaffirm the community's Swedish heritage.
The public is invited to attend the worship service at the restored Colony Church, which was constructed in 1848 by Swedish immigrants. Leading the liturgy is the Rev. Lisa Unger of the United Methodist Church of Cambridge. Readers will include Jonas Bjork of Augustana College and the Rev. Rebecca Gearhart of the United Methodist churches of Bishop Hill and Galva. Ann Larson will play the organ, with special music by Courtney Stone.
Coffee and rusks, a Swedish pastry similar to biscotti, will be available in the Colony Church Museum after the service. Those planning to attend the liturgy should dress warmly, as the sanctuary will be unheated during the service.
The community of Bishop Hill, founded by Swedish immigrants in 1846, is located 20 miles south of Interstate 80 and 17 miles east of Interstate 74. The Colony Church is at 101 Maiden Lane in Bishop Hill.
The Bishop Hill site will be closed Christmas Day, except for the Julotta service, and on Jan.1. For more information visit Bishop Hill State Historic Site online or call 309-927-3890.
About IDNR
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is celebrating 100 years of conservation and service to the people of Illinois throughout 2025. The department was established July 1, 1925, as the Illinois Department of Conservation, bringing under one umbrella oversight of fish and game, forestry, public works, and lakes.
Today, IDNR's work encompasses management of about 400 sites across Illinois, including state parks and historic sites; wildlife, fisheries, forestry, and natural heritage; Lake Michigan water allocation and coastal management; conservation police; mines and minerals; oil and gas; issuance of licenses, permits, and numerous grants; the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta; and the Illinois State Museum. Visit https://dnr.illinois.gov for more information.
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency published this content on December 16, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on December 17, 2025 at 17:56 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]