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 special building in Plano, Illinois. It was built in 1868. This church was once the main office for a group called the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS Church).
A leader named Joseph Smith III was in charge at that time. He moved to Plano in 1866. In 1867, he helped choose where the church would be built. He also helped decide its design and who would build it. The Plano Stone Church was the RLDS headquarters from 1868 until 1881. That's when Smith and the church moved to Lamoni, Iowa.
The church is built in the Greek Revival style. This means it looks like ancient Greek temples. Its outside walls are made of strong sandstone. Inside, there are two main rooms. One is a small entrance area called a vestibule. The other is the main worship room. The church was changed a bit in the 1940s. For example, some small spaces in the vestibule were closed off. The Plano Stone Church became a U.S. National Register of Historic Places site in 1990. This means it's an important historical building.
Contents
The Church's Early History
Joseph Smith III became the leader 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 followed Brigham Young to the Salt Lake Basin. But some members stayed in the Midwest. They believed that Joseph Smith III should be the next church 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, Smith and his family moved from Nauvoo to Plano, Illinois. Church members in Kendall County convinced him to move. When Smith moved, the RLDS 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 Church
In 1867, the church members in Plano decided to build a new church. They chose Smith to lead the building committee. Smith and the committee picked the best spot for the church. They also chose its design and the builders. Work on the church started on March 18, 1868. By November 15, the church was finished and ready to use.
This building was the first church ever built for any RLDS group. It was the main place of worship for the Plano RLDS members until 1881. During this time, it was also the main office for the RLDS church. It was where Joseph Smith III worked as the church leader.
Life in Plano and Moving On
From 1868 to 1881, Smith was very busy. He led the church and also helped with local government. He was a village trustee and a local justice of the peace. He stopped being a magistrate in March 1880. This happened after some people criticized him for canceling a court meeting to attend a church event. In 1881, the RLDS headquarters, the church's printing office, and Joseph Smith III all moved. They went to Lamoni, Iowa. This community was started by RLDS members in the 1870s.
The Plano Stone Church is still used by a church group today. This group is now called the Community of Christ. 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 church if you make an appointment.
Church Design and Features
The Plano Stone Church is built in the Greek Revival style. Its foundation and walls are made from strong sandstone. It is a one-story building with a simple, rectangular shape. The front roof has a triangular shape called a gable. This roof hangs over slightly and has a wide flat band below it called a frieze. These are common features of Greek Revival buildings.
Outside Details
The front of the church is made of rough-cut sandstone blocks. The other three walls have rougher stones that are not perfectly lined up. Each side wall has four windows. These windows have round stone arches above them called lintels. They also have a special stone in the middle of the arch called a keystone. The windows have stone sills below them. Each window has a full round arch and a "nine over nine" sash. This means each window has 18 small glass panes.
The four corners of the building have decorative stone blocks called quoins. All the windows also have these special corner stones. The front door is a double door. Above it, there is a half-circle window called a transom window. There is also a stone hood with a keystone above the door.
Inside the Church
The inside of the Plano Stone Church has two rooms. There is a small entrance area called a vestibule. It is about 8 feet (2.4 meters) by 12 feet (3.7 meters). The main room is where people gather. It has a curved ceiling and a raised platform at the front called a dais. The wooden panels on the lower part of the walls, the doors, and the window frames are all original. The original pews have decorative wrought iron pieces on their ends. There is also a wooden pulpit where the speaker stands.
Changes Over Time
The church building has been changed and fixed up over the years. The original stone steps outside were taken away and new ones were put in. Most of the changes happened inside the church during the 1940s. Originally, there were two small spaces called alcoves off the vestibule. These held stoves for heating the church. These alcoves have since been closed off. One is now the stairs to the basement, and the other is a closet. Other changes in the 1940s included adding a small section behind the pulpit. Also, the windows got amber glass panes, which give them a warm, golden color.
Why This Church is Important
The Plano Stone Church is most important because it was the main office 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 it was the RLDS headquarters. It is also important because of its connection to the first RLDS president, Joseph Smith III.
Images for kids
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A plaque showing that the Plano Stone Church was the first RLDS church building.
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The round arch windows with nine over nine panes.
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The amber glass panes were added to the windows in the 1940s.
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