Healy Chapel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Healy Chapel
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Healy Chapel in 2011
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 332 W. Downer Pl. Aurora, Kane County, Illinois, United States |
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| Built | 1927 |
| Architect | George Grant Elmslie |
| Architectural style | Prairie School |
| NRHP reference No. | 85000361 |
| Added to NRHP | February 28, 1985 |
The Healy Chapel is a historic building in Aurora, Illinois. It was built to be a mortuary, which is a place where funeral services are held. A well-known architect named George Grant Elmslie designed it. What makes Healy Chapel special is that it's one of the few buildings in the unique Prairie School style that was built for a business.
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The Story of Healy Chapel
Starting a Business in Aurora
William H. Healy moved to Aurora in 1891 from Yorkville. He started a business called "Healy and Blair." It was a furniture store, but it also offered mortuary services. This meant they helped families with funerals.
In 1901, William's brother, Arthur N. Healy, joined the business. They formed a new partnership and moved to a bigger building. Over time, they focused more and more on helping with funerals. By 1919, their company was officially set up as a business.
Building a New Home
As more people needed their services, the Healy family realized they needed a brand new building. This new building would be just for their mortuary business. They chose a spot down the street from their old location.
The new Healy Chapel was built at 332 W. Downer Place. It cost $100,000, which was a lot of money back then! This building was the first in Illinois used only as a mortuary. The Healy family also brought the first hearse service to Aurora. A hearse is a special vehicle used to carry a coffin.
A Unique Architectural Style
The Healy Chapel is special because of its design. It was built in the Prairie School style. This style was popular in the early 1900s. It was created by architects like Louis Sullivan and his student, George Grant Elmslie, who designed the chapel.
Prairie School buildings often have strong horizontal lines. They look like they are hugging the ground, just like the wide-open prairies. The Healy Chapel is a three-story building. Its top floor is covered in light brown stucco. A bright orange line of special baked clay, called terracotta, separates the stucco from the brick walls below.
Today, the Healy Chapel is still owned by the Healy family. It continues to operate as a mortuary, serving the community of Aurora.
