Help Needed To Save Chicago's Only Castle

CHICAGO — Residents of the Beverly and Morgan Park neighborhoods on the Southwest Side of the city drive or walk past it every day, but it may come as a surprise to some not from around here that to this day the city of Chicago is home to a real-life Irish castle.

The Givins Castle, which has its home on a hill on the northwest corner of 103rd and Longwood in Beverly, has been the most recognizable landmark in the area since it was built in the late 19th century. Back then, it was surrounded by just about nothing but open space.

Now, some 130 years later, it remains the centerpiece of a residential neighborhood known for its magnificent architecture. But a major renovation project will be needed if the structure locals know simply as "The Castle" will survive for the next several generations.

Jean Robinson is a member of a task-force created two years ago that's in charge of saving the structure. The group, which includes members of the Beverly Unitarian Church that has owned and operated out of the building since the 1940's, formed when a crack was found in one of the turrets.

"We had a very extensive assessment done and it showed that there is actually significant trouble in two of the turrets," Robinson said.

Turrets are the name of the unique posts atop these buildings that help identify them as castles.

Robinson said the Castle task-force decided last year that the building is in need of "major repairs," and that the church would rather invest in remaining at the iconic landmark and ensure it remains a focal point of the neighborhood.

In addition to housing the church, The Castle is home to a preschool and hosts a number of community events like group meetings and yoga classes.

"No one (on the task-force) was willing to abandon or sell the property," Robinson said. "It has been an icon forever in Beverly-Morgan Park."

Members of the church have already raised $400,000, which is about half of what it is expected to cost to have full repairs done. While work bids are still out, it's believed that about $800,000, and possibly up to $1 million, will be needed.

If that is raised, work could start this summer on fixing the crenellations (the rigid part that connects the turrets on the roof of a castle), roof repairs and the stone arches over the windows.

The plan calls for both of the turrets be tore down and re-built, Robinson said.

The Castle task-force is now seeking $400,000 from the community and history lovers everywhere to complete the fundraising. Email givinsbeverlycastle@gmail.com or go on their wesbsite, www.givinsbeverlycastle.org, if you can help out. The Castle also has a fairly new presence on social media. Follow them, @GivinsCastle, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

"We are feeling good about the contributions that are coming in, but are hoping to see several major donors so we can get started this summer," Robinson said.