In 1837, a mail route was established from Chicago to John Dixon’s residence on the Rock River, and this route crossed the southern end of DeKalb County. A log hut was built for a station at the crossing of Somonauk Creek and given the name of Somonauk.

Traveling missionaries made it a regular stopping place. In 1853 the railroad was built through the region and several Catholic families moved into the new village of Somanauk. Families were mostly French, with some that were German and a few that were of Irish descent.

Mass was offered at irregular intervals until 1863 in homes and the town hotel. In 1863, Catholics purchased Turner Hall for use as a church, moving it across the street to the present parish property at LaSalle and Depot Streets.

Jesuits and Norbertine priests long served at the parish. Parish records date to 1865, and the earliest ones were signed by Jesuit Father Dominic Niederkorn who attended the area from Holy Family Church in Chicago. Other Jesuit priests traveled to Somonauk to provide the sacraments.

Turner Hall was soon too small, and it was replaced with a $6,000 frame building and given the name of St. John the Baptist. In 1868 that building was destroyed by fire. Plans were made to build a brick church when a resident pastor was sent to Somonauk: Father Casper Huth, who arrived Feb. 14, 1869.

Father Huth completed the church, and Father Lawrence Ehrhard, who became pastor in 1884, built churches in Plano and Bristol. Father Ehrhard also enlarged St. John the Baptist Church, covered the brick outside of the church with a coat of cement, installed steam heat and added frescoes to the church ceiling, which later deteriorated past the point of repair. At that time large oil paintings adorned the sanctuary walls.

Father Peter Weber served as pastor from 1904-1909 when he was sent to St. Nicholas Parish in Aurora by the newly-established Rockford Diocese. Father C.F. Mertens became pastor and oversaw the installation of art glass windows. He was succeeded by Father M.A. Welter who completely reorganized the handling and care of the parish cemetery.

Father Cornelius Kirkfleet, O. Praem., the first Norbertine priest to serve at the parish, became pastor on July 26, 1928. He oversaw remodeling of the church and building of a social hall for use by the parish and community.

Remodeling and/or redecorating of the parish buildings continued through the years, significantly in 1953 under Norbertine Father Maurice Windt (1953-1963), during the pastorate of Father Michael Shanahan (1972-1974), and in 1975 during the pastorate of Father Charles Sherman (1974-1996).

Under the supervision of Father Donald DeSalvo the church was repaired and redecorated, and a new baptistery was added, all rededicated on Aug. 17, 2003. Other diocesan priests who have served at St. John the Baptist include Father Ariel Valencia (2007-2008), Father Thomas Brantman (2008-2014) and since 2014, Father Kevin Butler, parochial administrator.

In 2014 in anticipation of the sesquicentennial, a large renovation project was begun. The roof, which consisted of the original 1868 cedar shingles covered by asphalt shingles and a layer of slate tiles, was replaced with a synthetic product expected to last more than 50 years.

The clouded Plexiglas on the stained glass windows was replaced by breathable plate glass coverings, and the window frames were repainted. The church interior was repainted and stenciled; the ceiling cleaned and partly repainted, and the 1929 stations of the cross were restored and hung. Other renovations included new entry doors, refinished floor, energy-efficient lighting, updated sound system and new sign/message board. A new baptismal font and tabernacle and a “high altar” from a closed church in Pennsylvania were added, and the confessionals were modified. Those renovations were completed late in 2014.

St. John the Baptist Parish is home to approximately 560 registered families.