Effingham County and westward to Vandalia is majority German, dating back to immigration in the 1850s. As a result that population is more German Catholic and Lutheran than evangelical protestant. Further south, such as Mt. Vernon, is more evangelical.<ref>https://www.city-data.com/forum/illinois/147001-bible-belt-starts-effingham-il-3.html</ref> | Effingham County and westward to Vandalia is majority German, dating back to immigration in the 1850s. As a result that population is more German Catholic and Lutheran than evangelical protestant. Further south, such as Mt. Vernon, is more evangelical.<ref>https://www.city-data.com/forum/illinois/147001-bible-belt-starts-effingham-il-3.html</ref> |