Monee’s historic St. Paul United Church of Christ is on its way to landmark status.
The church, at 5323 W. Margaret Street, was built in 1914 with exquisite stained glass windows and a hand-carved oak altar. It stands on the site of the original church, built in the 1800s on the edge of the already-landmarked cemetery.
Last week, Monee village officials approved the first step in designating landmark status by approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Will County Historic Preservation Commission. Landmarking the building implies no financial responsibility on the part of the village.
St. Paul UCC is Monee’s second church to be declared a historic building. St. Boniface Catholic Church, 5304 W. Main Street, was tabbed for the honor a month ago. St. Boniface was built in 1868 and is actually older than the village, which was incorporated in 1874.
Monee officials approved an ordinance during the February 12 village board meeting “authorizing the Will County Historic Preservation Commission and Will County to designate St. Boniface Catholic Church as a county landmark.”
Monee native and ardent historian Christi Holston explained last month that Will County landmark status is a protective measure.
A member of the WCHPC, Holston said “If you own a county landmark, you can be assured it will remain for future generations.
“Owning a Will County landmark is not only an honorary designation, but also a protective one. Landmark status does not mean a property cannot change; however, it does provide the opportunity to assure the historic character of the property will be preserved in a manner compatible with its history and with the property owner’s needs,” she said at that time.
“Although the current economic climate has been a tough one, and grants are limited for historic landmarks, there are a few key programs Will County landmark owners may be able to take advantage of.” They include the Illinois Tax Assessment Freeze Program for Historic Residences, the Federal Tax Credits for National Register Properties, and Landmarks Illinois Heritage Fund Grant.
The next step requires a public hearing and final approval of the Will County Board.
Final approval of the Landmark status for both churches is expected in a few months, depending on how soon the public hearings can be scheduled.
Holston said both churches and the preservation commission are “excited to be able to celebrate the history of Monee through the recognition of our historic buildings and cultural institutions in this tangible way.
“It is fitting that St Boniface and St Paul’s should both receive landmark status in the same year,” she said. “The original congregations were established within two years of each other back in the mid-19th Century.
“These two pillars of the community have worked together and seen to the spiritual need of their flocks in harmony for more than 150 years and continue to do so. As we welcome other faith communities to Monee, the Monee Alliance of Churches is another tangible way this harmony of spirit can extend to our entire community.”
Landmarking for the two churches will be the fourth and fifth buildings so recognized since Holston and her husband, David, founded the Monee Historical Society a dozen years ago.
Already given the prestigious status are the Creamery building, built circa 1865, now called the Monee Heritage Center, as well as St. Paul’s Cemetery and the Fuerst residence on Margaret Street, a beautifully restored 1920s-era English Tudor-style house that is now privately owned.