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Significance:
Episcopal Church of the Resurrection is an excellent example of a
small-scale religious structure designed by Edward Dart, one of Chicago’s
pre-eminent mid-20th century architects of modern design. Built in 1963, the
church has a simple barn-like form with four corner piers supporting a
steeply pitched wood-shingle roof. Designed to mimic an old mill which once
stood on the property, the building sits nestled within the sloping
landscape abutting the DuPage River. The late Rev. Michael Komechak, a
leading authority on Edward Dart’s work, stated, “…the church commands
immediate admiration because of its strong geometric forms wedded to a
beautiful natural setting.”
Current Condition and/or
Status: The Church of the Resurrection is structurally sound but has
been vacant and for sale for almost two years. The building has undergone
only minor changes since its construction. The wood-shingle roof appears to
be in good condition and the windows are all intact. The Episcopal Diocese
of Chicago, which currently owns the property, has listed the building and
surrounding 3.8 acres for sale at $1.2 million.
Potential Threat: West
Chicago has a preservation ordinance, but local officials and the
preservation commission have not expressed interest in seeking landmark
designation for the building. In the last two years, numerous Edward
Dart-designed buildings have been demolished, threatened, or severely
altered, including Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in Chicago’s Pilsen
neighborhood, Dart’s own house in Barrington, and a 1972 addition to
the Lorado Taft studio at the University of Chicago.
What You Can Do: Contact
West Chicago’s Historic Preservation Commission and mayor and urge them to
evaluate the building for local landmark designation. Encourage them
to work with
potential purchasers to consider adaptive-reuse proposals for the church.
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Mayor Michael Kwasman: City
of West Chicago, 475 Main Street., West Chicago, IL 60185;
mkwasman@westchicago.org
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Chairperson, Janet Dayton
Hale, West Chicago Historical Preservation Commission, and City of West
Chicago Preservation Director, LuAnn Bombard: (630) 231-3376;
lbombard@westchicago.org
Other Contacts: Interested
buyers should contact:
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David Shallow, ReMax
Professionals Select: (630) 615-2870; 2272 95th Street, Suite 200
Naperville, IL 60564
Photos: 1, 2, 6 historic views, Ezra Stoller [photographer],
Reverend Michael Komechak Collection; 3 church 2009, ReMax Realtor, 4, 5
church 2009
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