Churches in Sycamore Historic District facts for kids
The Sycamore Historic District in Sycamore, Illinois, is a special area with many old and important buildings. As of 2007, five church buildings in this district are considered "contributing properties." This means they help make the district historically important. The Sycamore Historic District was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1978. When it was first listed, there were seven church buildings. One of these was actually a house that used to be a church. Since then, two churches have been lost. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. John was destroyed by fire in 2004. The United Methodist Church in Sycamore was also removed and replaced by a modern office building.
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Lost Churches of Sycamore
Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. John
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. John used to stand on Main Street in the Sycamore Historic District. Sadly, a big fire completely destroyed it in February 2004. This building, built in 1937–1938, was one of the most famous structures in the historic district. The fire itself became a part of history. The fire caused a huge explosion called a backdraft, which was the largest recorded backdraft incident in U.S. history. Two Sycamore firefighters were hurt during the blaze.
Sycamore United Methodist Church
Besides St. John's church, the Sycamore United Methodist Church is also no longer standing. It was listed as an important building in the historic district in 1978. The area on Somonauk Street where it once stood is now home to an office building.
First Baptist Church
The First Baptist Church in Sycamore, Illinois, is an important part of the Sycamore Historic District. As of 2007, the old First Baptist Church building was being used by the Bethel Assembly of God. The First Baptist Church group started in 1852. In their early years, they met in Franklin Township. Later, they gathered at Sycamore's schoolhouse and in the DeKalb County Courthouse.
Finally, the church decided it needed its own permanent building. The First Baptist Church building was built in 1899. It stands at the corner of Maple and Elm Streets in Sycamore. The land for the church was bought from a local person named Hosea Willard. The church was built in the Gothic Revival style. It has large, arched windows. Both the west and south sides of the church feature beautiful stained glass windows.
St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church
St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Sycamore, Illinois, is also an important building in the historic district. It was one of the seven Sycamore churches that were key parts of the district when it was first nominated for the National Register of Historic Places.
St. Peter's Episcopal Church
St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Sycamore, Illinois, is another important building in the Sycamore Historic District. The historic district was recognized in 1978 when it joined the National Register of Historic Places. The church building was designed by a Chicago architect named George O. Garnsey. It was built in 1878 and officially opened in 1879. It was built to honor James Waterman, a businessman from Sycamore. Waterman paid the entire cost of $17,000 for its construction.
This building is believed to be the oldest church in DeKalb County. It was built from Batavia stone. The church's special architectural look 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 as Sycamore Baptist Church or First Congregational Church. It is located at the corner of High and Somonauk Streets in Sycamore, Illinois.
The building was constructed in 1884. It was designed by Chicago architect George O. Garnsey. Garnsey designed several important buildings in Sycamore and DeKalb, including the Ellwood House and the David Syme House. The plans for this church were even shown in Garnsey's planbook journal, National Builder, around the time it was built. After a lightning strike in 1978, the church's main steeple was repaired. Early church records show that its members were strong supporters of abolitionism. They helped with 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
The Universalist Church/Arthur Stark House is a home in Sycamore, Illinois. It is an important building that adds to the history of the Sycamore Historic District. This two-story Italianate style house was built in 1855. When it was first built, it served as the Universalist Church. Later, Arthur Stark bought it and lived there.
Alonzo Ellwood, who was part of the famous Ellwood family, was one of the first leaders for the Universalist Church. This church once used this house. Before the Civil War, the Universalist group was very active in the movement to end slavery.
Arthur Stark turned the building into a comfortable home after the Universalist Church moved. He updated the house, keeping its Italianate style. Stark worked as a secretary at Marsh Harvester, which was an important early business in Sycamore.
See also
- Charles O. Boynton House
- Commercial buildings in Sycamore Historic District
- Hosea Willard House
- Houses in Sycamore Historic District
- Isaac Ellwood
- Old Ogle County Courthouse
- Waterman Block
