Judge William D. Barry House: 2025 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois

Location:

217 Cedar Ave., St. Charles, Kane County

Year built:

1844

Original owner:

Judge William D. Barry

Current owner:

Baker Memorial United Methodist Church

(Photo credit: Paul Morgan)

Historic Significance

The Judge Barry House is a Greek Revival-style home built in 1844 by Judge William D. Barry, a prominent citizen of St. Charles who was active in community affairs during the mid-19th century. Barry was an accomplished Illinois circuit court attorney before his 1851 election as a Kane County judge. He was also the first president of the Kane County Bar Association. Barry managed Union Civil War General John F. Farnsworth’s seven successful campaigns for Congress. Located near other early settlement sites, this home represents an essential piece of St. Charles’ heritage within its downtown Central Historic District.

(Photo credit: Paul Morgan)

Current threat

The current owner of the home, Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, plans to demolish the building to create a parking lot. Baker Memorial purchased the house in 1993 to provide housing for those in need. The church has ceased using it for this purpose and it has sat vacant since at least 2017. The church’s most recent request for demolition, filed in October 2024, was denied by the St. Charles Historic Preservation Commission. The church subsequently filed an appeal to the city’s Planning and Development Committee, which has yet to vote on the request.

(Photo credit: Paul Morgan)

Preservation Solution 

The Judge Barry House is in a prime location in downtown St. Charles and could be restored for active use. The City of St. Charles has said that it is considering purchasing the home. At a time when there is a housing shortage across the country, it could also be sold to a private owner for use as a residence. Alternatively, it could be reused as a retail space following the example of nearby former homes on St. Charles’ Cedar and 3rd Avenues. A renovation of the Judge Barry House could take advantage of the Façade Improvement Grant offered by the City of St. Charles.

(Photo credits: Paul Morgan)

Take Action

Contact St. Charles Alderpersons in their role as the Planning and Development Committee of St. Charles to request that they uphold the Historic Preservation Commission’s denial of the demolition permit. (The Planning and Development Committee is a City Council Committee of the Whole, meaning that all alderpersons sit on the committee.)

(Photo credit: Paul Morgan)

Steve Gibson

Local historian and former commissioner of the St. Charles Historic Preservation Commission

“The Judge Barry House is a rare ‘story house,’ reflecting nearly two centuries of Illinois and national history. Home to Judge William Barry—a frontier attorney, early Republican leader and mentor—it was central to key legal and political developments. Later residents, like Fred Rasmussen and Edith Kohlert, add layers tied to industrial innovation and local politics. Though Barry’s legacy has faded, the house offers a tangible link to his contributions and those of others who shaped St. Charles. Preserving it honors forgotten figures and stories that would otherwise be lost—making it far more valuable than a few parking spaces.”

(Photo credit: Paul Morgan)