Churches have always played a big part in Bureau County’s proud history. These pioneers came less for land but more to spread religion to the prairies. Though many had no idea of the trials ahead as pioneers, they nontheless relied on their faith and prayer to see them through.

Some of the earliest founding groups are still in existence while others have gradually diminished or vanished.

Boyd’s Grove Methodist Church was founded in 1851 by six families who agreed to organize a church. It can still be seen at an intersection some miles south of Wyanet.

The Providence Colony’s Congregational Church was organized in 1841. South and west of Wyanet, little remains of the Colony today.

Princeton was founded by a group from Northhampton, Massachusetts charged with bringing religion to the frontier. The Hampshire Colony group arrived in Princeton in 1831 and formed Hampshire Colony Congregational Church near Bureau Creek. Originally the Hampshire Colony settlers named their new town Greenfield but it was later changed to Princeton in a reputed drawing of names from a hat. Hampshire Colony church is located today on South Church Street. The church tower is a local landmark and the church bell still rings throughout the day.

Dover Congregational Church was organized in 1838 as an offshoot of the Hampshire Colony Church. The church is still in existence today.