Lincoln Park Church Named On 'Endangered Historic Places' List

CHICAGO, IL — A historic Lincoln Park church could be knocked down and turned into a high-rise, according to Landmarks Illinois. The Second Church of Christ, Scientist at 2700 N Pine Grove Avenue has been named on the organization's list of 2018 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois. The church is up for sale, and there are no official landmark protections in place to stop a developer from tearing the building down, Landmarks Illinois said.

The church was built in 1899 by prominent Chicago-based architect Solon S. Beman, who also designed Chicago's Pullman neighborhood for railroad-car magnate George Pullman.

Landmarks Illinois said a shrinking congregation has hurt the church's ability to make much-needed repairs.

"...while it is a part of a National Register-listed Lakeview Historic District, this designation is honorific with no protection," Landmarks Illinois stated in a public notice. "Additionally, the Classical-Revival style church does not have any local protections under the Chicago Landmark Ordinance due to an owner consent clause for places of worship."

Ward Miller, executive director of Preservation Chicago, met with the church board to come up with a solution that would allow the congregation to meet every Sunday, as well as address the costly repairs needed.

"We even had a foundation that was interested in purchasing it and running it as a cultural center for the Lincoln Park community," Miller said.

The congregation turned down the deal offered by the Chicago-based foundation, and the church remains vulnerable to a new purchaser who could choose to tear it down, both Landmarks Illinois and Preservation Chicago said.

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