On Dec. 25, 1839 the people in the vicinity of what is now Plainville and Hull, Illinois, formed a society to solicit funds for the erection of a house of worship. The location selected was what is known as Akers Chapel in the western part of Pike County about midway between the two villages. The necessary funds were soon secured and building operations started at once. When the building was completed, it was dedicated by a Methodist Minister whose name was Peter Akers and was given the name of Akers Chapel. The congregation increased in number until the original structure was inadequate, and in 1868 it was decided to build a larger structure to accommodate the increased membership.
When this new building was completed, the Trustees thought it to be fitting to ask Rev. Peter Akers to dedicate the new church. In spite of his advanced age Rev. Akers made the hundreds of miles trip by stage coach and horseback to comply with the wishes of the congregation.
Around the 1920’s conditions had changed to intermittent services. Because of this, the Methodist Conference sold the building at auction on Dec.14, 1939. The day after the sale the Trustees of Akers decided to try to buy it back and let it stand as a monument for future generations.