Reform, Illinois, is a burgeoning tourist destination that’s relatively small compared to many other large American cities. Despite its small size, Reform is packed with unique places and things to do. Take time to explore the Reform area and learn more about the people, places, and culture that make this city so unique.

Luther House

The Luther House was built in 1504 as an Augustinian monastery, earning it the nickname “Black Monastery” owing to the color of the monks’ cowls. From 1508 to 1532, Martin Luther was a monk here. When he married Katharina von Bora, he acquired the house, and it later served as the family’s home. Later, it was transformed into a University of Leucorea scholarship house.

The Luther House is a fascinating and educational tour for people who are interested in the Reformation movement. Visitors can learn about the life of the man who helped create the Reformation in the world. In the years leading up to the Reformation, Luther’s experiences were remarkably dramatic. Even during the controversial debate of indulgences, he refused to recant.

In Erfurt, another place to visit is the Augustinian Monastery, which was built around 1300. The monastery has a new exhibition about the life of the Reformer. A part of the exhibition is the Lutherzelle, a chapel dedicated to Luther. This building also serves as a conference center and ecumenical center.

Martin Luther’s birthplace is a UNESCO world heritage site. It is the place where he was born and baptized. It is now a museum. The original church is no longer there because of a fire in 1689. A new addition to the museum was built in 2005 and received five architectural awards.

Church of All Saints

You can listen to sermons from Church of All Saints in Reform on SermonAudio. This Presbyterian church is located in New York City. It has been around since 1872. You can listen to sermons at your convenience. SermonAudio is a free, online sermon audio service.

All Saints’ Church is home to several historical archives, Riemer-Museum, and youth hostel. The church underwent extensive renovations during the 500th anniversary of Luther’s Thesis. It reopened in October 2016 with the dedication of a new altar frontal by Danish Princess Margrethe II.

All Saints Day is celebrated every November 1. Its celebration is not only dedicated to the dead but also to followers of Jesus. Christians celebrate all saints because God calls us to be saints. This day is widely celebrated by Protestant and Anglican denominations. It is observed in both of our worship services.

The church has over 160 regular members, including many members of the former Stony Point Reformed Presbyterian Church. The church is actively involved with the community of Richmond, VA. It offers programs such as Women’s Bible Study and Women’s Morning Fellowship. You’re welcome to join any of them.

The church is God’s dwelling place in the world. God resides in it through the Spirit, and every believer born of the Holy Spirit is a member of the church. The church also believes in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Christ will happen in both saved and lost people. The saved will experience the resurrection of life in a glorified body, while the lost will face the resurrection of eternal damnation.

The church meets Sunday at 10:45 am. Sunday school is held at 9:30am. The church celebrates the life of the Christian saints. All Saints Day is a day of holy obligation to remember known and unknown saints.

Temple Emanu-El

Temple Emanu-El in Reform has been New York’s flagship Reform congregation for nearly a century. Founded in 1845, the congregation was the first Reform congregation in New York City. It is a historic, landmark institution and remains a vibrant community for Jews from all backgrounds.

Temple Emanu-El is a historic Reform synagogue located on Fifth Avenue in New York City. It was founded by Rabbi Robert I. Kahn while serving in the Pacific Theater of World War II. Rabbi Kahn served as Senior Rabbi of Emanu-El until 1978. In the following years, Rabbi Roy A. Walter served as Associate Rabbi and Assistant Rabbi before being selected as Senior Rabbi. In 2011, he became Rabbi Emeritus and was replaced by Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss. The new building was constructed in the years 1928-1930.

Temple Emanu-El in Reform originated at Fifth Avenue and 43rd Street and moved to its current location in 1927. It is a huge Romanesque Revival structure and is often considered to be the largest reform synagogue in the world. The congregation’s pews were designed with equal seating for both men and women.

Wartburg

To get a better idea of how Luther changed the world, check out his hometown of Erfurt. This medieval town is where he first enrolled at university and became a monk following a lightning storm epiphany in 1505. The Augustinian Monastery and Church are open to visitors. You can also check out the Wartburg Castle, which is perched on a hill overlooking the city of Eisenach. This historic site is where Luther spoke out against corruption within the Church and was threatened with death if he did not change his ways.