BRADFORD — Long considered one of the most beautiful churches in central Illinois, St. John the Baptist Church, 218 First St., will host a Christmas open house on Sunday, Dec. 30, from 1 to 4 p.m.

A mini concert of Christmas songs will be presented at 2:30 p.m. on the original organ, which was built for the church.

Dedicated in 1923, St. John the Baptist Church was actually reconstructed after a fire in 1921 destroyed all but the walls and the tower of the church designed by George Stauduhar of Rock Island and completed in 1907. While the baptistry and sacristy windows were salvaged, the stained glass windows that now grace the church were brought over from Munich, Germany, and the altars are made of Carrara marble.

St. John the Baptist Parish was established in 1875.