Grace Episcopal Church (Chicago) facts for kids
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Grace Episcopal Church
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U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
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 Location in Chicago metropolitan area
Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | Chicago, Illinois |
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| Architect | original: unknown; 1985-1986: Laurence Booth/Paul Hansen and Associates (Booth Hansen) |
| Architectural style | Arts and Crafts architecture |
| Part of | South Dearborn Street-Printing House Row North Historic District (ID76000705) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | January 7, 1976 |
Grace Episcopal Church, founded in 1851, is one of the oldest Episcopal churches in Chicago, Illinois. Since December 1985, it has been located at 637 South Dearborn Street. This building used to be a printing factory in the Printer's Row neighborhood.
Today, the church is also known as Grace Place. It is in a historic, three-story redbrick building from the late 1800s. The building shows the Arts and Crafts architecture style. It is an important part of the South Dearborn Street-Printing House Row North Historic District. Grace Place is also listed in the City of Chicago's Chicago Landmarks Historic Resources Survey.
Contents
History of Grace Episcopal Church
Starting the Church in Chicago
In 1851, people from Chicago's oldest Episcopal church, Trinity Episcopal Church, helped start Grace Episcopal Church. This was in the growing downtown area, now known as the Chicago Loop. The first building for Grace Church was made of wood. It was located at Dearborn and Madison Streets. The first leader, Rev. Cornelius F. Swope, served until 1854.
Moving Locations and the Great Fire
In 1859, Rev. Clinton Locke became the new leader. The church moved to a building on Wabash Avenue. Later, it moved again to Wabash between 14th and 15th Street. Meanwhile, Trinity Church moved to Jackson Street.
In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire swept through the city. It destroyed both Grace Church and Trinity Church. After the fire, the third Grace Church building burned down in 1915. The church then rebuilt a nearby parish house, which they used for ten years.
New Homes and Current Location
In 1929, the church moved to a new building at 1450 South Indiana Avenue. This was near St. Luke's Hospital, where some church members worked. The congregation returned to the Loop area in 1966. They dedicated their fifth building at 33 West Jackson.
Since 1985, Grace Episcopal Church has been in its current home in the Printer's Row district. It is still an active church in the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. The current leader is the Rev. Amity Carrubba. Colonel John Mason Loomis, a very religious person, was an important supporter of Grace Episcopal Church in Chicago.
Building Design and Features
Converting the Printing Factory
Architects Laurence Booth/Paul Hansen and Associates (Booth Hansen) oversaw the changes to the building. The first floor was turned into a space for church events and community meetings. The second floor and most of the third floor became the main worship area for the church.
Smart Design Choices
The architects were careful not to make the inside look like a typical "loft" space, which was popular then. They designed the two-story worship area to be open. They made sure the large wooden support posts did not get in the way of the raised, round worship space. The rest of the third floor was designed for offices. In 1989, Booth Hansen received an award from the Chicago AIA for their interior design work at Grace Place.
