Plano Stone Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Plano Stone Church (Community of Christ)
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Side of the church
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 304 S. Center Ave., Plano, Illinois |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1868 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 90001724 |
| Added to NRHP | November 2, 1990 |
The Plano Stone Church is a historic building in Plano, Illinois. It was built way back in 1868. For many years, it was the main office, or "headquarters," for a church called the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS Church). Today, this church is known as the Community of Christ.
The church was led by Joseph Smith III when it was built. He moved to Plano in 1866. In 1867, he helped choose the spot, the design, and the builders for the church. The Plano Stone Church was the church's headquarters from 1868 until 1881. That's when Joseph Smith III and the church moved to Lamoni, Iowa.
The building looks like a classic Greek temple, a style called Greek Revival. Its outside walls are made of sandstone. Inside, it has two main areas: a small entrance room called a vestibule and the main worship room. The church was changed a bit in the 1940s. For example, two small areas in the entrance were closed off. In 1990, the Plano Stone Church was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a very important historical site!
Contents
A Look Back: History of the Church
Joseph Smith III and the Church's Start
Joseph Smith III became the leader, or president and prophet, of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS) in 1860. This was 16 years after his father, Joseph Smith, passed away. After his father's death, many church members moved west with Brigham Young. But a group of Latter Day Saints stayed in the Midwest. They believed that Joseph Smith III should be the next leader. After being asked many times, the younger Smith agreed to lead the new "Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints."
Moving to Plano
In 1865, plans began for Smith to move. By January 1866, he and his family had moved from Nauvoo to Plano, Illinois. Church members in Kendall County convinced him to move. With Smith's move, the RLDS Church headquarters also moved from Nauvoo to Plano. Once in Plano, Smith became the main editor for the Saints Herald. This was the official newspaper for the RLDS Church.
Building the Stone Church
In 1867, the church members in Plano decided to build a church. They formed a committee, and Joseph Smith III was chosen to lead it. Smith and the committee picked the land, the design, and the builders for the project. Building work started on March 18, 1868. By November 15, the church was finished and ready to use.
This building was the main place of worship for the Plano RLDS group until 1881. It was also the very first church building for any RLDS congregation. During these years, it served as the main office for the RLDS Church. It was also where Joseph Smith III worked as the church leader.
Life in Plano and Moving On
From 1868 to 1881, Smith was busy leading the church. He also took part in local government. He was a village trustee and a local justice of the peace. These were important community roles. In 1881, the RLDS headquarters, the church's printing office, and Joseph Smith III all moved. They went to Lamoni, Iowa. This was a town started by RLDS members in the 1870s.
Today, the church building is still used by a group of the RLDS Church. The church changed its name to Community of Christ in 2001. The original church pews are still there! They were made by church members from local wood. You can even take a public tour of the building if you make an appointment.
The Church's Design: Architecture
Greek Revival Style
The Plano Stone Church is built in the Greek Revival style. This means it looks a bit like ancient Greek temples. Its foundation and walls are made from sandstone. The building is one story tall and shaped like a rectangle. It has a front gabled roof. This roof meets the wall with a small overhang and a wide flat band below it called a frieze. These are common features of the Greek Revival style.
The front (east) side of the church is made of rough-cut sandstone blocks. The other three walls have rougher stones that are not as neatly placed. Each side wall (north and south) has four windows. These windows have round, stone arches above them. They also have a special stone at the top of the arch called a keystone and stone sills below. Each window has a full round arch and a "nine over nine" sash. The four corners of the building have decorative stone blocks called quoins. All the windows also have these quoins. The front double-door has a half-circle window above it, called a transom window. It also has a stone hood with a keystone above the door.
Inside the Church
The inside of the Plano Stone Church has two rooms. There's a small entrance room, or vestibule, which is about 8-foot (2 m) by 12-foot (4 m). Then there's the main worship room. The main room has a curved ceiling and a raised platform, or dais, at its west end. The wooden panels on the lower part of the walls, the doors, and the window frames are all original. The original pews have wrought iron decorations. Other furniture includes a wooden pulpit.
Changes Over Time
The building has been changed and fixed up over the years. The original stone stairs outside were taken away and replaced. Most of the changes happened inside during the 1940s. Originally, there were two small areas, or alcoves, off the vestibule. These held stoves for heating. These alcoves have since been closed off. One is now the entrance to the basement stairs, and the other is a closet. Other changes in the 1940s included adding a small section behind the pulpit. Also, the windows got new amber glass panes.
Why This Church is Important
The Plano Stone Church is most important because it was the headquarters for the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This was from 1868 to 1881. It is the oldest church building in Plano. In 1974, it was named a Kendall County Landmark. On November 2, 1990, the church was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It was listed because of its role as the RLDS headquarters and its connection to the first RLDS president, Joseph Smith III.
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