Clear Creek Friends Meetinghouse

Illinois Yearly Meeting (ILYM) is a Quaker community serving 22 affiliated local meetings across five states, including Clear Creek Meeting. The organization meets annually near McNabb, Illinois, at a historic meetinghouse built in 1875. Their worship style emphasizes silent 'waiting worship' and communal spiritual discernment about-ilym.

Who We Are

Illinois Yearly Meeting (ILYM) is a spiritual community of Quakers, also known as the Religious Society of Friends. Founded in 1875, ILYM represents individuals who attend 22 affiliated local meetings across five states faith-and-practice. The community gathers annually near McNabb, Illinois, for a retreat that includes worship and business meetings covering lay ministry, religious education, volunteer service, and other community matters about-ilym.

Faith and Practice

ILYM follows the Quaker tradition, which emphasizes the 'Light Within' and practices communal listening and waiting. Worship begins with silent gathering, and anyone present who feels led to speak by the Divine Spirit may do so. This vocal ministry is typically followed by a period of silence to deepen the worship experience meeting-for-worship.

Worship Style

Friends in ILYM engage in 'waiting worship,' where they gather silently to seek God's help and guidance. The meeting ends with the shaking of hands meeting-for-worship.

Campus and Facilities

The ILYM campus spans 12 acres and includes the historic meetinghouse built in 1875, a bathhouse, six unheated cabins without electricity, space for tents and camping vehicles, a bunkhouse, a rustic meeting space called the Fox Hole, and a large fire pit. The site also has old farm buildings including a post and beam barn with an attached milking shed, three silos, a grain bin, an equipment shed, and a chicken shed find-us. The meetinghouse is wheelchair accessible with an accessible restroom, but some other buildings may not be find-us.

How to Find Us

The meetinghouse is located near McNabb, Illinois, which is 110 miles southwest of Chicago and 220 miles north-northeast of St. Louis. The 911 address is 14365 N. 350 Ave., McNabb, IL 61335, though GPS systems may not always recognize it correctly find-us.

Clear Creek Friends Meetinghouse in McNabb, IL, offers a historic Quaker worship experience rooted in silent 'waiting worship' and communal discernment. Visitors will find a welcoming atmosphere centered on spiritual reflection, with a well-maintained 1875 meetinghouse and accessible facilities. The community emphasizes lay ministry, education, and outreach, fostering connection through monthly virtual gatherings and seasonal retreats.

Pros

• Historic 1875 meetinghouse with accessible restroom facilities
• Silent 'waiting worship' style with vocal ministry and communal reflection
• Community events including Annual Sessions and themed retreats
• Clear contact information and posted service times for virtual gatherings
• Services encompass religious education, lay ministry, and anti-racism initiatives

Cons

• Some campus buildings and cabins lack heating and electricity
• GPS may not reliably locate the 14365 N. 350 Ave. address
• Limited explicit guidance for newcomers in provided materials