Churches in Sycamore Historic District Facts for Kids

There are five extant churches in the district including the Old Congregational Church, designed by George O. Garnsey.

The Sycamore Historic District in Sycamore, Illinois is a special area. It's like a museum without walls! This district is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. This means its buildings are important to history.

In 2007, five church buildings in this district were still standing. They are considered "contributing properties." This means they help make the district special. When the district was first listed in 1978, there were seven churches. One of them, the Arthur Stark House, was actually a home that used to be a church. Sadly, two churches have been lost since then. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. John burned down in 2004. The United Methodist Church in Sycamore was replaced by a modern office building.

Historic Churches of Sycamore
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Historic Churches of Sycamore

Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. John

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. John was once a very important building. It stood on Main Street in the Sycamore Historic District. This church was built between 1937 and 1938. Sadly, it was completely destroyed by fire in February 2004.

The fire itself made history. A huge explosion, called a backdraft, happened during the blaze. This was the biggest backdraft ever recorded in U.S. history! Two Sycamore firefighters were hurt while fighting the fire.

First Baptist Church

First Baptist Church.

The First Baptist Church is another important building. It is located within the Sycamore Historic District. This church is also a "contributing property." This means it adds to the district's historic value.

As of 2007, the old First Baptist Church building was used by the Bethel Assembly of God. The First Baptist Church group started in 1852. They first met in Franklin Township. Later, they gathered at Sycamore's schoolhouse and the DeKalb County Courthouse.

Finally, the church decided it needed its own building. The First Baptist Church building was built in 1899. It stands at the corner of Maple and Elm Streets. The land for the church was bought from a local person named Hosea Willard. The church is built in the Gothic Revival style. It has large arched windows. You can see big stained glass windows on its west and south sides.

St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church

St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.

St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church is also in Sycamore, Illinois. It is considered a "contributing structure." This means it helps keep the historic feel of the district. St. Mary's was one of the seven churches that were part of the historic district. It was important when the district was first nominated for the National Register of Historic Places.

St. Peter's Episcopal Church

St. Peter's Episcopal Church.

St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Sycamore, Illinois, is another contributing structure. It adds to the historic importance of the Sycamore Historic District. The district was officially recognized in 1978. That's when it joined the National Register of Historic Places.

A Chicago architect named George O. Garnsey designed the church building. It was built in 1878. The church was officially opened in 1879. It was built to honor James Waterman, a businessman from Sycamore, Illinois. Mr. Waterman paid the entire $17,000 cost himself! This building is thought to be the oldest church in DeKalb County, Illinois.

The church is made from Batavia stone. Its unique design has been kept safe over the years. It still has its original walnut pews and beautiful stained glass windows.

Old Congregational Church

The Old Congregational Church is also known by other names. These include Sycamore Baptist Church or First Congregational Church. You can find it at the corner of High and Somonauk Streets in Sycamore, Illinois.

The building was put up in 1884. It was designed by Chicago architect George O. Garnsey. Garnsey designed many important buildings in Sycamore and DeKalb. These include the Ellwood House and the David Syme House. The church's plans were even shown in Garnsey's planbook journal, National Builder. This happened around the time the church was built.

In 1978, lightning struck the building. After that, the main steeple was repaired. Early church records show that members were strongly against slavery. They were part of the Underground Railroad as early as 1844. The building is designed in a Victorian Gothic Revival style. Its outside is covered in stone.

Universalist Church/Arthur Stark House

Stark House.

The Universalist Church/Arthur Stark House is a home in Sycamore, Illinois. It is a "contributing structure" to the Sycamore Historic District. This means it adds to the district's history. This two-story home was built in 1855. It is designed in the Italianate style.

When it was first built, this house served as the Universalist Church. Later, Arthur Stark bought it. He lived there, and that's why it's also called the Arthur Stark House.

Alonzo Ellwood was an early leader for the Universalist Church. He was part of the famous Ellwood family. Before the Civil War, the Universalist group was active in the movement to end slavery.

Arthur Stark turned the building into a comfortable home. He changed the house to fit the Italianate style. Stark worked as a secretary at Marsh Harvester. This was an important early business in Sycamore.

Churches in Sycamore Historic District facts for kids

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