Bishop Hill is located northwestern Illinois in Henry County northeast of Galesburg along Highway 39.
The town was established in 1846 as a haven for Swedish religious reformists who wanted relief from state-directed religion. The sect was led by Eric Janson who proclaimed himself a "Godsent prophet". The community was over 1,000 strong within about 15 years. The name of the town was derived from "Bishopskulla", Janson's birthplace.