Partners for Sacred Places - Chicago Office

2012-01-19T15:05:00.004-06:00

Trinity Church’s ‘Green’ Development

President Obama’s former church, Trinity United Church of Christ, is planning a major addition that will not just create new facilities for their South Side neighborhood but also incorporate sustainable building techniques. The Imani Village is a 27-acre planned development. The complex will include housing, an urban farming and agriculture center, retail stores, a community health clinic, and a sports facility. The pastor of Trinity, the Rev. Otis Moss III, hopes that the complex will bring new life to the neighborhood and expand the church’s definition of social justice by helping the health of the environment and the neighboring communities.

Trinity's Projected Plan (source)

The church has had plans to use the space for decades and the eventual goal for the space

has evolved. Moss believes that the current plan fits the need of the neighborhood and the congregation, “What is God calling us to do? A green, sustainable community.” The church has formed a separate non-profit to fundraise and manage the project, which is estimated to cost around $100 million, including the acquisition of 13 more acres of land.

The idea for Imani village came out of the Green for All movement, an initiative to help alleviate poverty by harnessing the power of the sustainable economy. The overall plan for the project includes using alternative energy sources, urban farming, and training ex-convicts for green jobs. These ideas will not only help the project but also stimulate the wider economy via jobs training and emphasizing buying local. In many ways the project is not just about helping the environment but also how a church and community can incorporate innovation and new technology to revitalize their economy and their residents.

Read more about Trinity’s project and the Green for All project.

2012-01-18T09:07:00.006-06:00

In September of 2011, I was anxiously awaiting the opening of a particular exhibit that the Art Institute was putting on. The reason for my excitement stemmed from earlier in the year when I had the opportunity to extensively research one of my favorite architects, Bertrand Goldberg.

Co-curated by Alison Fisher, Elizabeth Smith, and Zoe Ryan, the exhibit was titled “Bertrand Goldberg: Architecture of Invention”. The opening of the exhibit was on the 15^th of September upon which I immediately took the opportunity to get a further look into the man behind so many architectural innovations. From his days at the Bauhaus, to his socially conscious designs for urban architecture of a postwar America, the viewer was able to understand the creative evolution of this eminent architect.

“My message, I think, is much more important either than myself personally, or than the quick identification as the round-building architect. I am talking about the performance of people in a social system, about the performance of people in the city.” source
Photo: ArchiTech Gallery, Chicago Office.

The exhibit began with an inside look into Goldberg’s design of Marina City (1959-1967), one of the most notable characteristics of the Chicago skyline for over 50 years now. The curators included over 100 architectural drawings, photographs, and models that together formed a comprehensive narrative of Goldberg’s career. For me, the most interesting parts of the exhibit were the little-known projects that he did throughout his career, such as his design for a Jack-in-the-Box restaurant in California, as well as the furniture designs.

My view may be biased based on the content of this exhibit, but I would say that the curators did a job-well done of representing Bertrand Goldberg over the course of his career. The exhibition came to a close this past Sunday, January 15^th, upon which I took my last walk through the chronicle of Goldberg’s ideas. In its closing, I thought it appropriate to give the exhibit a small review in order to commemorate the man and work behind Marina City and so many other inventive projects.

I hope that you all were able to make it out for the exhibit as well, feel free to leave your thoughts about it!

2012-01-06T14:32:00.010-06:00

Meet the Interns: Part 1
Hello, everyone! My name is Cassie Walker and I am the (semi) new intern at Partners for Sacred Places located in Chicago. I am currently an undergraduate student at DePaul University where I am majoring in art history and I intend to graduate this year in May.

I found out about the internship at Partners through a professor of mine who thought the opportunity would be fitting to my interests. I looked over the requirements and did some research on Partners to get a better idea of what the organization was all about. A few weeks after I sent in my resume, I received a call from Leanne Gherig inviting me to come in for an interview. Following our meeting, I was very excited for the possibility of getting involved with the organization and waited for another call. Sure enough, Leanne contacted me later that week to tell me that I was invited back to meet the rest of the crew. Starting in November, I became a weekly fixture in the Partners for Sacred Places office and was introduced to the Arts in Sacred Places program that I was to be mostly involved with.

In my studies so far I have started to take a special interest in architecture and feel incredibly lucky to be located in the city of Chicago where there is so much to see and learn about. I have also particularly enjoyed learning about Eastern art and Islamic art over the years. Two of my favorite artists are Paul Klee and Wassily Kandinsky, and currently I am learning more in depth about 19th century European art in my classes at DePaul.

Photo taken by Orlando R. Cabanban. Resident in front of the Raymond Hilliard Homes, designed by Bertrand Goldberg.

Once I graduate I plan to move to Australia for the winter and hopefully be admitted into an internship at the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art. Upon returning to the United States, I will be attending graduate school for either museum studies or arts management with intentions to pursue a career in the art world, which has long been my goal.

I’m very excited to be working with everyone at Partners for Sacred Places and for our future together in the coming months. You all will be hearing more from me on here as well as the other intern, Lara, who will be introducing herself next time. Talk to you soon!

2012-01-03T15:31:00.001-06:00

Book Review: Chicago Stained Glass

We’ve recently been on the hunt for Chicago churches with notable, historic, or interesting stained glass windows. As part of this search I checked out a copy of Chicago Stained Glass by Erne and Florence Frueh. The book features beautiful photographs of Chicago churches’ windows and lots of local history. It starts with a broad history of stained glass techniques dating back to ancient times and then gets specific about stained glass in Chicago including the major studios and monuments. Examples include Second Presbyterian and Hyde Park Union Church, both of which have Tiffany windows. The book gives lots of details and examples of major studios in Chicago and throughout the world. The context is interesting and amazingly some of the studios are still in existence and working today. The authors have a real appreciation for Chicago’s place in art and architectural history and our city’s passion for preserving its built heritage. “It is doubtful that any city in the United States used stained glass more lavishly than Chicago did during the period from the Great Fire of 1871 to the Great Depression of the 1930s. Within this span of sixty years, which saw the rise and fall of Chicago a major art glass center, Chicago glassmen produced thousands of shimmering decorations of outstanding artistry and craftsmanship for churches and synagogues, the palatial mansions of millionaires, the modest dwellings of the middle class, schools, libraries, hotels, theaters, restaurants, private clubs, railroad stations, and even railroad cars . . . Although Chicago is no longer an important working center for stained glass, it is a vast living museum of the art housing inestimable treasures which Chicagoans, aware of their heritage, are conserving as one of their richest cultural legacies” (36).

My only complaint is that I would love to see an updated version of the book with more information about Chicago sites and maybe some suggested tours.

Does anyone know of any houses of worship with great stained glass in Chicago? Let us know in the comments!

2011-12-27T13:08:00.002-06:00

Sacred Places in the News

Historic West-Side Synagogue In Danger- For nearly half a century, Anshe Kanesses Israel was the center of Jewish life on Chicago's west side. After the second World War the synagogue became a Baptist church. In 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. preached against school segregation from its steps. Today, the building is badly in need of renovation. Read more about the future of Anshe Kanesses at the Chicago Sun-Times.

Our Lady of the Angels Restored - After a devastating fire in 1958, the West Humboldt Park parish is finally back on its feet. Thanks to years of hard work, partnerships with local community organizations, and many volunteer hours - the church is once again a haven for local families. Read more about the neighborhood's effort to bring back Our Lady of the Angels at the Chicago Tribune.

Gonzalo Ponce paints one of the many columns inside
Our Lady of the Angels Church [Photo Source]

2011-11-22T09:41:00.002-06:00

We're Moving!

The Chicago Regional Office is moving to our new home at 401 S. Lasalle Suite 1100. Our phones and internet should be set up the week of November 28th but until then we will still be reachable via email and voice mail. Thanks for your patience as we get set up in our new home.

2011-11-14T11:00:00.005-06:00

Exciting Discovery at Jamestown

William Kelso (chief archaeologist) points out the church remains, marked with orange flags (New York Times)

One of the oldest colonial settlements in the United States has discovered more of their sacred heritage. Recent archaeological activity has revealed the footprint and remains of the Protestant church for the settlement. The church would have been the setting for many colonial activities including the marriage of Pocahontas. Scholars hope that the discovery will help change the popular view that Jamestown was all about commercial development and stood in stark contrast to the more pious settlers in New England. Religion would have played an important role in the settlement and the size of the church, estimated at 64 by 24 feet, illustrates that. The church would have been the largest structure in the town and a clear statement that the colonist's intention was to stay permanently and settle the area. Excavation on the site is still ongoing and the administrators of the site are considering rebuilding portions of the church on the site.

source

What do you think of this discovery? Let us know in the comments.

2011-11-08T14:06:00.009-06:00

Arts in Sacred Places in Action!

The space at First Baptist before Azuka moved in

Last weekend in Philadelphia the Azuka theater company premiered their show, Act a Lady, in the First Baptist Church. Azuka and First Baptist is one of Partner's first partnerships for the Arts in Sacred Places project. Azuka made some improvements to the space including building a new stage, upgrading the lighting and painting the room. First Baptist will be Azuka's home until summer 2012. Here in Chicago we are very excited to see Arts in Sacred Places moving forward and wish Azuka and First Baptist luck with their new partnership!

The space after Azuka made their improvements (Photos from the Philly Inquirer)

For more information click here

2011-11-02T14:44:00.005-05:00

Politics of Preserving Historic Sacred Space

The stone mason for the National Cathedral describes the damage to the building's pinnacles (source)

There has been an interesting development in the saga to repair and restore the National Cathedral in Washington DC. The repairs have been estimated at $25 million. The mayor of Washington DC is asking the Federal Emergency Management Agency for $15 million and the church has launched its own fundraising campaign to help raise the difference.

The request has raised the ire of people who don’t believe that federal funds should be going to a religious institution. This is similar to the political climate that was surrounding historic preservation when Partners for Sacred Places was founded in 1989. As historic preservation grants and tax credit programs became more commonplace it caused a lot of discussion about if churches should be eligible for government funds. Then Attorney General of Connecticut, Joseph Lieberman successfully defended the rights of houses of worship and allowed the Connecticut Historical Commission to make preservation grants to historic houses of worship. Currently about half the states allow churches and other houses of worship to receive the money for historic preservation.

Partners for Sacred Places has dedicated themselves to proving that churches are more than architectural assets to their communities and the National Cathedral is no exception. The beautiful stone building draws half a million visitors a year, all of whom contribute to the lucrative tourist economy of Washington DC. The beautiful design, craftsmanship and history of the National Cathedral give it meaning to Americans beyond its status as an Episcopal church. Andrew Hullinger, the director of finance and administration for the cathedral said, “This is a church and we would never say that we weren’t, but we are a whole lot more than just a church.” Preserving the façade of the National Cathedral is not promoting religion but preserving a landmark of national importance and a community asset to Washington DC.

source

2011-10-27T15:17:00.002-05:00

Exciting November Events

There are three interesting events going on in the Chicago area on Sunday, November 13th.

At North Shore Congregation Israel (Glencoe) Nov. 13th at 4 p.m.

Nature, Light, and Beauty: The Work of Minoru Yamasaki

Join us Sunday, November 13 at 4pm when Professor Dale Gyure speaks on the life and works of famous architect Minoru Yamaski. "Nature, Light and Beauty: Minoru Yamaski's Design for North Shore Congregation Israel. This event is open to the public. There is a suggested donation of $18. To reserve your seat call 847-835-0724 or drewb@nsci.org

At KAM Isaiah Israel (Hyde Park) Nov. 13th at 5 p.m.

Sounds of Faith

With the Harran Productions Foundation board and KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation, I extend a reminder and personal invitation to join us at 5 PM on Sunday, November 13^th for our next Sounds of Faith concert. This engaging program will feature performers sharing some of the most beautiful and compelling sounds of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim ritual and cultural practice, including Cantors Deborah Bard, Miriam Eskanasy and Rachel Rosenberg, Dexter Walker and Zion Movement Baptist choir, tar virtuoso Amir Koushkani, Kol Zimrah, Dean Elizabeth Davenport and soloist Matthew Dean of Rockefeller Chapel, Rabbi Michael Zedek of the Emmanuel Congregation and cellist and artistic director Lenore Mass and others in the landmark architectural and acoustic setting of the KAMII Congregation synagogue. Bells, shofar, and calls to prayer will set the atmosphere for listening and learning as they do in our shared destinations around the world.

click here for more information

At Glenview Ismaili Jamatkana (Glenview) Nov. 13th at 3 p.m.

A Discussion of Islamic Architecture

On behalf of the Ismaili Midwest Council, we would like to invite you to a discussion about Islamic Architecture on Sunday, November 13 at 3:00pm at the Glenview Ismaili Jamatkhana, located at 100 Shermer Rd, Glenview, IL 60025.

Ellen Bailey Dickson, AIA, President of Bailey Edward Architecture and architect of Glenview Jamatkhana, will be leading this discussion. There will also be a tour of the Jamatkhana and a Q&A session.

If you go to any of these events share your experience in the comments!

Friends of Historic Second Church Presents: The Architecture of Howard Van Doren Shaw

2011-10-25T15:24:00.000-05:00

Shaw's houses will be reconsidered in relation to the progressive architectural ideas of his time, examining the idea of originality in his work, which made him one of the most admired residential architects of his day.

Stuart Cohen is a practicing architect, educator and author. He is professor emeritus at the University of Illinois, Chicago and the author of three books on the history of Chicago architecture, most recently, Great Houses of Chicago: 1871-1921. A monograph of the residential architectural work of his award winning firm, Transforming the Traditional: The Work of Cohen & Hacker Architects, was published in 2009. He is currently working on a book on the houses of Howard Van Doren Shaw.

This lecture is co-psonsored with Glessner House Museum.

Date: Thursday, November 3, 2011
Time: 6:00 PM reception/ 7:00 PM lecture
Place: Second Presbyterian Church
1936 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60616
Cost: Suggested donation of $5
Questions: preservationmanager@2ndpresbyterianfriends.org
or 1.800.657.0687

2011-10-19T11:46:00.005-05:00

Summerdale Community Church

The entry window at Summerdale Community Church (it was originally Summerdale Congregational Church)

Even though we’re moving forward with an AiSP pilot in Logan Square we are still surveying and visiting churches throughout the city. Yesterday I had the pleasure of visiting Summerdale Community Church, a historic church in the Andersonville neighborhood. Summerdale is a unique example of an architectural style that is not often found in Chicago - Carpenter Gothic complete with stick style ceiling and art glass windows. Pastor Ann James was nice enough to show me around and talk a little bit about AiSP. Pastor Ann knows more than a little bit about the space needs of artists – she is an actor and a founding member of Chicspeare – a theatre company specializing in Shakespeare that also produces educational programming.

The sanctuary at Summerdale

The church has two main spaces – a basement and the sanctuary. The basement has a small stage, kitchen, dining area and an office but the main portion is an open space where rehearsal for dance or theatre could take place. The sanctuary is beautiful and austere – the ceiling is an amazing stick style ceiling, which is completed by the colorful and geometric stained glass windows. There are pews in the space but they are not original and Pastor Ann is open to their moving or removal. Many of the pieces of furniture on the alter are movable. The space is surprisingly flexible for a sanctuary and has many cool original architectural features like the ceiling and sliding wooden doors to separate the Sunday school. The sanctuary could be an amazing performance space for music or other disciplines.

Pastor Ann’s enthusiasm for the arts and the inspiring space in Summerdale makes them a great possible site for AiSP.

Click here to learn more about Chicspeare and Summerdale Community Church

2011-10-11T16:04:00.004-05:00

Deconstruction vs. Demolition

Workers remove one of the stained glass windows from the sanctuary (Kimball Avenue Church Flickr stream)

We’ve started the process of researching churches in Logan Square for our latest chapter of the Arts in Sacred Places project. One of the churches we found is Kimball Avenue Church, which has recently begun the process of ‘deconstruction’. Rather than just demolish their old building they are working with professionals to disassemble the building so that some features can be reused (stained glass windows, the wood ceiling, and other historic components), most can be recycled and only the shingles and interior plaster will end up in a landfill. They have started a blog and Flickr stream that document the project’s progress. The Flickr stream is especially interesting – you can see the many layers of the building being exposed as the workers progress.

As a historic preservationist I’m always sad to see a building come down but this seems like an interesting strategy for preserving at least the parts of the building. It’s also a much more sustainable option than simply demolishing the building and disposing of the materials in a landfill. Kimball Avenue Church plans on rebuilding on the same site and incorporating some of the recycled materials. As they explain on their blog – a church is more than a building. They are continuing to meet and worship in the parsonage and will continue to worship and use the site. Check out their blog and Flickr stream for more information and project updates. Let us know what you think about deconstruction versus demolition in the comments.

2011-10-07T13:52:00.004-05:00

Arts in Sacred Places: The Next Phase

"Home", Part of Logan Square Alderman Rey Colon's 35th Ward Mural Project

Artists need space. Historic sacred places have space to spare. In the summer of 2010, Partners for Sacred Places' launched Arts in Sacred Places (AiSP), a project to connect arts organizations with congregations, helping them build sustainable space-sharing relationships. AiSP will train both groups to live together under one roof, maximizing the role of historic sacred places as welcoming homes for music, dance, theater and the visual arts.

AiSP research began out Partners' Philadelphia office, with case studies of existing relationships between historic houses of worship and arts organizations in the Center City District. After a year of interviews with artists, arts organizations, faith leaders and lay leaders, the Philly Office has published their findings. The report, "Making Homes for the Arts in Sacred Places," can be read in full on Partners' website.

In June, Arts in Sacred Places (AiSP) launched in Chicago. We spent the summer surveying artists and faith leaders in the city about existing partnerships and the potential for new and stronger relationships between the arts and faith communities in Chicago.

What we found was overwhelming enthusiasm from both sides. Congregations and artists are eager to work together - and not just as landlord and tenant. There is great interest in a new dialogue and collaborative projects - projects that help build community between two groups that otherwise have very little interaction.

Building on this enthusiasm and eager to cultivate the community-building potential of AiSP projects, we are excited to announce the next phase of AiSP Chicago: a pilot program in Logan Square. For one year, from October 2011 to October 2012, the focus of the AiSP team in Chicago will be to match local artists and arts organizations with underutilized space in historic churches in this northwest side community.

Known to many Chicagoans for its historic boulevard - listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Logan Square is also home to dozens of historic churches - many of which have underutilized space. In the last decade, the community has become a magnet for Chicago artists, meaning that there is no shortage of painters, sculptors, musicians, actors and dancers looking for space to work, audition, rehearse, perform and exhibit.

Working in partnership with local arts organizations, community leaders and faith leaders, our goal is match artists with available space. By next summer we hope to celebrate these new partnerships with an open house on the boulevard - inviting the local community, and all of Chicago, into historic spaces to enjoy the beauty of the buildings, the beauty of the art works, and the beauty of community-building collaborations.

As artists migrate into Logan Square's historic churches and temples, new audiences will greet them. As congregations open their doors to arts groups, these groups will share their passion, imagination and creativity, breathing new life into the community.

In the long term, our vision is for the work we do in Logan Square to be replicated in communities across the north, south and west sides of the city. If you are a congregation, parish, artist or arts organization outside of Logan Square we still want to hear from you. Let us know about your space availability or needs and we'll keep you updated on the progress of the project as it expands across the city.

2011-10-03T14:19:00.004-05:00

Historic African-American Religious Architecture & Experiences on the Eastern Shore of Maryland

Dale Glenwood Green in front of Quinn Chapel A.M.E.

On September 19^th there was a lecture given by Dale Glenwood Green at Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Green, an architecture and historic preservation professor, spoke about the history of African American churches both socially and architecturally, his work in historic preservation, and how the issues facing the churches in Maryland could affect churches throughout the country.

Quinn is one of the most famous and historic African American churches in the city of Chicago and it was the perfect setting for Green’s lecture.

The event was sponsored AIA Chicago Historic Resources, Interfaith Forum for Religious Art & Architecture, the Illinois Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects and Partners for Sacred Places.

For more information about Dale Glenwood Green’s work check out this article from Architect’s Magazine.

2011-09-26T11:05:00.001-05:00

Sharing Sacred Spaces Tour

Started by the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions the Sharing Sacred Spaces Tour is a unique opportunity to view some of Chicago’s diverse religious structures. The tour program starts this October with the Midwest Buddhist Temple and includes not only a tour of the space but also meeting with members of the clergy and congregation to learn more about the various faith traditions and practices. The goal of the project is to foster understanding of one another and build community. There are eight tours in all and they include a variety of denominations (click here for a PDF guide to the series).

Suzanne Morgan, an architect trained in liturgical design, founded the tour series and was recently interviewed in the Chicago Tribune. The article raised the important point that spaces can teach us more about the religion and start a dialogue. Morgan is hopeful that people will learn more about different faith traditions and come together as a community (the end of the project will include the various faith leaders coming together to sign a pledge to support other faiths should they become the target of hate or violence). This is a very lofty goal but Rev. Roy Miyamura, the spiritual leader of the Midwest Buddhist Temple, had an excellent quote about the importance of education in creating tolerance and understanding. “It is ignorance and fear that creates many of the problems of the world. However, when we can understand our neighbors, we can tolerate differences. And when we get along better, we can accept differences which build peace and harmony”.

I would definitely be interested in seeing some of Chicago’s houses of worship both from an architectural and educational standpoint. Are you interested in learning about different faith traditions? Let us know in the comments

Source: Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions, Chicago Tribune

2011-09-19T16:55:00.005-05:00

Sound and Spaces: Experience Music in Sacred Spaces

Stained glass window at Second Presbyterian

The Chicago Chamber Musicians are offering a great opportunity to experience music in some of Chicago's most beautiful sacred spaces. The Sound and Spaces series is a partnership of the Chicago Chamber Musicians, the Chicago chapter of the AIA, and the Chicago Architecture Foundation designed to offer a unique chance to experience amazing music in some of Chicago's special places. Past locations have included the North Shore Congregation Israel, Carr Memorial Chapel (at IIT), and Robie House. This year's series has performances at Second Presbyterian Church (October 23rd) and Church of the Ascension (March 18th, 2012). For more information including ticket reservations, click here.

2011-09-14T11:09:00.003-05:00

Art on Sacred PlacesWalker in front of San Marcello Mission and the mural he painted there in 1973

Mary Schmich’s column in the Chicago Tribune this morning featured a picture of a church with a colorful mural painted on the side. When I started reading I realized how relevant the subject was to our current project, Arts in Sacred Places. Schmich wrote about artist Bill Walker, who recently passed away at 85. Walker started painting murals in 1967, with a mural called “Wall of Respect” on the side of a grocery store that depicted 50 African-American achievers including Billie Holiday and Malcolm X. Walker continued painting murals until 1988 and has continued to inspire generations of street artists. Many of Walker’s murals have been painted over or destroyed but the Chicago Public Art Group is trying to save the remaining ones.

Many credit Walker with starting the street mural movement and his influence can be seen on walls all over the city of Chicago. Jon Pounds, an arts advocate and friend of Walkers, summarized his influence and the importance of public art. “You can go to Boise, Idaho. You can go to Ireland. And you will see people inspired by this idea that artists’ work should be public, tell stories, and inspire people.” Though Walker didn’t work exclusively on church buildings his influence on the community is an excellent example of what we are trying to achieve with the Arts and Sacred Places project.

We’re working on helping arts groups find space in some of Chicago’s sacred spaces so that they can rehearse, perform, and hopefully tell stories and inspire people in their own communities.

For pictures of Walker’s work click here

For more information about the Arts and Sacred Places project check out our earlier post and if you are an interested arts group or church please send us an email at pspchicago@gmail.com

2011-09-06T14:09:00.004-05:00

D.C. Earthquake Damage and Lessons Learned

The recent earthquake along the East Coast caused quite a bit of damage including to some iconic monuments in Washington D.C. The National Cathedral, Washington Monument, and Smithsonian Castle all sustained damage. The breakage at the Washington Monument was mostly structural requiring the monument to be closed and quickly stabilized before Hurricane Irene moved in. The National Cathedral’s damage was extensive – there was damage to the masonry and roof and several decorative elements fell off due to the shaking. Between the earthquake and Hurricane Irene there is billions of dollars in cleanup, repairs, and rebuilding to be done on the East Coast.

Partners for Sacred Places is dedicated to ensuring sound stewardship of our nation’s historic houses of worship. This includes their physical condition. Our Professional Alliance Directory, which is available here and in our quarterly magazine has listings and information for professionals ranging from architects and engineers to fundraising consultants and paint restorers.

Events like the East Coast earthquake are an important reminder that historic buildings need to be in good condition and qualified professionals called upon to make repairs and restorations when necessary.

Photo Source

2011-09-02T14:52:00.002-05:00

The Latest Arts in Sacred Places News

This week Chicago's Arts in Sacred Places (AiSP) team has much to report. We had two very promising visits with New Dollars/New Partners graduates eager to be part of AiSP.

Source

Our first stop was Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church at 47th and MLK Drive. Reverend Jackson was kind enough to give us a tour of the property, originally built as a synagogue and community center for the Chicago Sinai congregation. The Reverend's love for the sanctuary was palpable as he described its history and his hopes to restore it to its original splendor.

As we toured the former community center, we couldn't help but imagine the space filling with artists. Much of the enormous building, most recently home to an alternative high school, is now vacant. With a little TLC, the former classrooms could make a great home for an arts group in need of office space, or a theater group looking to hold rehearsals or auditions. On our way out, we noticed what looked to be a ticket office. It turns out that AiSP would have a historic precedent at Mt. Pisgah - nearly a century ago the Chicago Sinai used their sacred place as a theater.

Further south along Lake Shore Drive, we visited Our Lady of Peace (OLP), a Catholic parish at 79th and Jeffery Boulevard. After soaking in the beauty of the sanctuary - which was getting a thorough cleaning in anticipation of an upcoming visit from the Bishop - we headed to the Rectory. There we met with Father Mark Kalema and Ms. Carol, a parishioner at OLP since 1968 and leader on the parish's New Dollars/New Partners team. They were eager to show us the available space - and we quickly understood why.

Source

The parish's convent stands empty. Three floors - four if you include the basement - of vacant rooms. It could be studio space, rehearsal space, even residential space for artists. And that's not all; the basement of the rectory has a kitchen, a laundry room and an all-purpose room with a small stage. It would be a great place for small-scale theater performances or dance lessons. Luckily for us, Claretian Associates, a South Chicago non-profit recently published a South Chicago artists directory. Next up, we'll be reaching out to the painters, sculptors and arts education groups listed to see if they're interested in bringing this space back to life.

Know any artists who might be interested in space at Mt. Pisgah or Our Lady of Peace? Let us know in the comments. And stay tuned for more AiSP updates next week.

2011-08-30T07:00:00.000-05:00

As Easy as ABCD – Asset-Based Community Development

Partners’ empowers congregations to repair their buildings and transform their communities. Historic houses of worship confront many challenges – leaky roofs, flooded basements, unreliable furnaces and much more. Beyond their doors, congregations face poverty, unemployment, homelessness and crime. How should faith leaders and their followers tackle these issues? It’s as easy as ABCD – Asset-Based Community Development.

ABCD is not a panacea. It is not a cure-all or one-size-fits all model. More than a theory, ABCD is about vision. It’s about helping congregants see their communities in a new light. ABCD shifts attention away from needs, deficiencies and problems and instead, focuses on capacities, assets and talents. ABCD asks, “What are your gifts of the head, gifts of the hand, gifts of the heart?” – and it asks that of every member of the community.

ABCD does not deny the harsh realities of the present. These realities are the truth of a community– but they are never the whole truth. ABCD invites us to see the flip side, to remember what we have and what we can do. And ABCD asks us to leverage these gifts, talents and assets to create change in our communities.

ABCD is the backbone of Partners’ New Dollars/New Partners training, and over the years graduates have put theory into practice in their communities. Stay tuned to the blog for these stories of success. If your congregation would like to be part of the next new Dollars/New Partners training, email Project Manager Leanne Gehrig at lgehrig@sacredplaces.org For more information about Asset-Based Community Development, check out the Asset-Based Community Development Institute.

2011-08-23T12:01:00.000-05:00

The Architecture of Happiness: Book Review

A big bonus of spending time commuting is having lots of reading time. My most recent read was The Architecture of Happiness. The book is a combination of the history and philosophy of architecture with a specific focus on architecture’s impact on our happiness. The author, Alain de Botton, covers architecture from a variety of eras and raises a lot of good questions about how we interact with the built environment. I really enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in architecture or preservation.

Though The Architecture of Happiness is not explicitly about preserving historic buildings I think that de Botton makes some good points about the impact of architecture on our environment and raises some of the issues inherent in historic preservation. One of the issues he raises is that saving architecture for beauty’s sake is not a black and white moral issue and can thus be hard to garner support and money for the effort. “Beautiful architecture has none of the unambiguous advantages of a vaccine or a bowl of rice. Its construction will hence never be raised to a dominant political priority” (18). I think this point is a really interesting one about historic preservation and why we need it yet to so many people it can seem like a luxury. Saving a building for beauty’s sake can seem indulgent but I think more recent arguments in preservation including those that take economics or sustainability into account help to make preservation more of a relevant and necessary conversation. I was disappointed that de Botton did not add the practicality reasons for preservation but he makes several, larger philosophical points about beauty, happiness, order, and goodness that point out the importance of historic buildings.

As for the writing itself, de Botton relies heavily on the writings of architects and benefits from the profession’s love of pontificating. He juxtaposes some of the architect’s writings with letters and other documents from the occupants of the spaces. Some of these examples, notably the Villa Savoye, contradict the idealistic intentions of the architect but never less make interesting case studies in what architects thought were ideal homes and public environments. I really liked that de Botton used writings from architects and those who actually used the buildings because it added to his argument and kept it from being purely speculative about the architect’s intentions. While de Botton’s writing was a tad on the verbose side it seemed in keeping with the philosophical approach he took to discussing architecture’s impact on our state of mind. It might be my architectural history/preservation background but I firmly agree with de Botton’s arguments about that architecture, especially of homes, can impact our happiness. Beautiful and successful architecture is a manifestation of our ideals and potential and having the chance to see beautiful buildings everyday is enough to make me happy.

2011-08-16T10:54:00.000-05:00

East Meets West on Chicago's North Side

What counts as “art” for Partners’ Arts & Sacred Places project? Theater, dance, music, sculpture, painting and photography – but why stop there? Histories of the arts in the United States are quick to write-off “foreign” art forms. Chicago’s sacred places are re-writing these narratives. This weekend two of the city’s temples – the Shambala Meditation Center and the Midwest Buddhist Temple – hosted celebrations of their art, culture and faith, helping a new audience understand the place of the arts in Buddhism’s sacred places.

Shambala Art Workshop
[Source]

In Rogers Park, the Shambala Meditation Center offered a two-day course, Shambala Art, which explored perception and the creative process. Part of a national project to, “encourage the exploration of how meditation and contemplation work with the creative and viewing process,” the workshop was taught by local artist Laura Mae Noble.

The course did not focus exclusively on a specific medium; instead, lessons stressed how artistic discipline serves as a vehicle for spiritual practice. Shambala Art teaches the role of creativity in the meditation practice, stressing process over product - it is "art that wakes people up.”

Ginza Holiday
[Source]

South on the city’s Red Line, in Old Town, the Midwest Buddhist Temple celebrated their 55^th annual Ginza Holiday. Named after The Ginza, a bustling district of Tokyo, the festival played host to masters of ancient and contemporary Japanese art forms. On display were examples of calligraphy, bonsai, ikebana (flower arranging), kamingyo (paper dolls), and tree sculpture, an art form with origins in the 11^th century.

The festival merged past with present. Contemporary practitioners presented ancestral art forms. Yoko Noge’s Japanesque Band performed their signature fusion of Minyo folk music and Chicago blues. The temple remained open to the public for the duration of the festival, and Reverend Ron Miyamura was on hand to give dharma talks, helping foster a better understanding of the intersection of art, faith and sacred places in Buddhist tradition.

For more on the Shambala Meditation Center check out their website, and the associated Shambala Arts website. For more on the Midwest Buddhist Temple, check out their website.

2011-08-10T11:47:00.002-05:00

Sustainability and Sacred Places

Incorporating new technology for sustainability can be tricky in a historic structure. Historic structures are often more inherently green then new ones with features including thicker walls, more thoughtfully placed windows and openings, and passive heating and cooling but when considering newer technologies like new insulation, rainwater collection, and solar panels there is a chance that damage could be done to the existing structure. One case where designers were able to come up with way to incorporate solar panels into a prominent historic building is Bradford Cathedral in England. After going through a lengthy process to get the plan approved by English Heritage, local boards, and the Cathedral Fabrics Commission of England, the plan to add solar panels to the south aisle roof can go forward.

This is an exciting project because it demonstrates that new technology can be integrated into historic buildings without damaging or compromising the building. Bradford Cathedral is a Grade I building, which means it of exceptional historic or architectural interest and has strict rules governing its appearance. All the involved parties seem sympathetic to the preservation needs of the cathedral and are excited to move forward with the project which could prove to be a perfect example of how other churches can add green technology to their historic buildings. Read more about Bradford Cathedral here.

2011-08-10T07:43:00.002-05:00

Preservation in the News - New Windows from an Old Family Friend

The church facade
before restoration [Source]

In the 1950s, First Immanuel Lutheran Church of Chicago was one of the city’s first churches to officially vote in favor of integration. In the 1960s, the Reverend Martin Luther King Junior preached from its pulpit. While civil rights history was written within its walls, time took its toll on the building’s façade. A thunderstorm destroyed the church's crown jewel – a 24-foot stained glass window. Without the resources to restore it, the congregation patched the gaping hole with stone for the better part of a century.

The window frame during installation
[Source]

Kurt Hoelter changed that. A native of Westport, Connecticut, Hoelter lives more than 800 miles from Immanuel Lutheran. Despite the distance, he was moved to help the congregation. His roots are in Chicago; his great-grandfather and grandfather were both pastors at the west side church. Digging through old family photos after the death of his parents, Hoelter unearthed images of Immanuel Lutheran before the storm. He dedicated himself to restoring façade.

The windows after installation [Source]

Using photos of the original windows and research into stained glass of the period, Hoelter collaborated with an architect and a glass artist. When the windows were cut and ready for installation, he rented a truck and drove them halfway across the country to hand-deliver them to the church.

Five years after finding family photos of the originals, the one-ton, 13-panel replacements were lifted into place. A celebration ensued when the façade was restored to its former glory, a glory that matches the celebrated history of the congregation.

For more on First Immanuel Lutheran Church check out their website and Facebook page – and don’t miss the dedication of the new windows, scheduled for September 18.

[Source]

2011-08-10T07:42:00.005-05:00

News from the National Office - Arts in Sacred Places Pilot Study Published

While the Chicago Office continues its research into partnerships between arts groups and historic sacred places in the city, the Philly office has published its findings from a similar study. Conducted between July 2010 and February 2011, this study focuses on Center City, an area of Philadelphia roughly equivalent to Chicago's Loop. What were the results? Two of the promising discoveries from the report, "Making Homes for Art in Sacred Places," include:

There is significant interest among both leadership of sacred places and arts organizations in partnering with each other, both occasionally and in longer-term relationships
The primary motive for both arts and faith leaders to partner and connect space and other assets is the development of stakeholders (audience/community supporters) and not the mitigation of financial burden (cost savings/revenue generation)

For the rest of Philly's findings, check out the complete report. For the latest news on Arts in Sacred Places in Chicago, stay tuned to the blog.

2011-08-02T10:48:00.003-05:00

Old Windows, New Problems

A recent article in the New York Times covered the always tricky issue of historic windows. Recent emphasis on sustainability and energy-efficiency have left many historic building owners thinking seriously about replacing their historic windows with newer, more efficient models. This has put them at odds with preservationists who have long made the argument that historic windows can be repaired and restored to help maintain energy efficiency and that storm windows and drapes can help to mitigate any cold air. While energy efficiency and sustainability should certainly be taken into consideration windows are an essential part of a building’s historic fabric. Removing and replacing them will irreversibly change the building envelope. The preservation professionals quoted in the Times’ article make two additional points – you can’t replace the old growth wood and craftsmanship that went into the original and replacement just points more materials into landfills negating some of the ‘new windows as sustainability’ argument.

With sustainability becoming more of a factor in building and renovations, including historic preservation, concerns about the energy efficiency of historic windows are legitimate. However as the case studies shown in the New York Times demonstrate there are options available to historic building owners who want to maintain the integrity of their historic properties.

National Trust for Historic Preservation Resource Page for Historic Windows

2011-07-31T17:28:00.001-05:00

Preservation in the News - 30 Mosques in 30 Days

In less than five years, the Chicago office has worked with more than 200 churches and synagogues in the city. As we grow, we’re hoping to work with even more faith traditions, and are looking for Chicagoans of every religion who worship in historic buildings.

Photo Source

Its stories like 30 Mosques/30 States that inspire us. Last August, Aman Ali and Bassam Tariq took a “Ramadan road trip” across the country, visiting a different mosque in a different state every evening of the holy month. On the 22nd day of their trip their rental car broke down. They ended up in Ross, North Dakota – site of the United States’ first mosque, built in 1929 by a community of Syrian immigrants. The original mosque was torn down in the seventies, but a small cemetery was preserved. In 2005, a new mosque was built on the original site.

This year Aman and Bassam are hitting the road again - you can follow their journey on their blog.

Do you know of any historic mosques in Chicago? Are you Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu or Jain and worshipping in a historic space in the city? Let us know in the comments or email us at pspchicago@gmail.com

2011-07-26T10:03:00.005-05:00

Preservation While Commuting?

(photo source)

Everyday while riding the Metra a building near the Clybourn station catches my eye. It has a giant dome covered in scaffolding and large sign saying savethedome .net. As a preservationist I can’t help but be interested in any historic building that appears to be under construction. When I got into work I checked out the website. It explained the history of St. Mary of the Angels parish and their repair needs and had a spot for donations. In the 1990s there had been extensive interior and exterior repair and restoration. However recent roof problems have led to the interior plaster falling apart and off the walls and cupola. The campaign is attempting to raise $2 million to finance the repairs.

I wonder how effective their signage has been in attracting donations particularly from already distracted drivers on the Kennedy. Regardless of its success I think it is a very interesting strategy for raising community awareness about preservation projects. A major part of preservation is public awareness and support so maybe an eye-catching sign is the way to go. Leave us a comment letting us know what you think of this kind of preservation outreach and visit savethedome .net to learn more about St. Mary of the Angels.

2011-07-25T11:31:00.001-05:00

Preservation in the News - The Fate of Leptis Magna

A city since the 1st millenium BC, Leptis reached its zenith under the rule of the Roman Empire. The Emperor Septimus Severus renewed and expanded the city, building a new forum and temple. As a Mediterranean port, Leptis stood at a nexus of cultures - and its monuments reflect this. While unquestionably Roman, the ruins at Leptis reveal unique African and Eastern influences. It is this distinctive character and undeniable beauty that helped Leptis Magna earn World Heritage Site status in 1982.

Nearly twenty years later, the city is in danger. Located in modern-day Libya, Leptis is caught between Moammar Gadhafi and Libyan rebels fighting to overthrow him. Recently, news has emerged that Gadhafi may be using the ancient city as a storehouse for weapons. In response, NATO officials have stated that they can not definitively rule out bombing the area.

While the world watches and waits, the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has responded with an appeal to all parties of the conflict to avoid damage to the site, "From a cultural heritage point of view, [Libya] is of great importance to humanity as a whole...Several major sites bear witness to the great technical and artistic achievements of the ancestors of the people [of Libya], and constitute a precious legacy." [Source]

For more on the history of Leptis Magna, consult UNESCO's website. For the latest news on how fighting in Libya is effecting the site and preservation efforts, check out the Washington Post or Salon.com.

2011-07-12T10:13:00.001-05:00

City Lit Theater at Edgewater Presbyterian

Built in 1926 in the French Romanesque style, Edgewater Presbyterian is just blocks from Lake Michigan on Chicago's north side. The building that now houses the church's sanctuary was originally planned as the congregation's "community house." This vision is now reality; the building hums with programs that serve Edgewater's diverse communities. This summer alone, the church is home to a Head Start preschool, summer day camp, free music lessons, and a food pantry. Interfaith Worker Justice, a leader among Chicago's community organizers, rents space on the church's fourth floor. City Lit leases a black box theater two floors below.

Founded in 1979, City Lit was one of the first theater companies in the nation devoted solely to the adaptation of literary material on stage. This weekend, the company hosted its fourth annual Art of Adaptation festival at Edgewater Presbyterian's black box theater. The three-day juried festival featured eight short pieces adapted from a wide range of texts, including Emily Post's Etiquette, Ovid's Metamorphoses, Hideo Kojima's video game series Metal Gear Solid, and the Bible. On Sunday, after a marathon performance of all eight pieces, the judges awarded the $500 prize to Steven O'Connell and Andrew Weir's adaptation of Samuel Taylor Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.

Edgewater Presbyterian and City Lit came together for an entertaining and enlightening weekend of innovative theater - it is partnerships like theirs that we'll explore through our Arts in Sacred Places initiative this summer.

For more on Edgewater Presbyterian, check out their website and Facebook page. For details on City Lit's upcoming 2011-2012 Season, check out their website and Facebook page.

2011-07-11T15:23:00.003-05:00

Arts in Sacred Places:

Connecting Those with Space - Historic Sacred Places - with Those in Need of Space - Arts Organizations

In the summer of 2009, Partners for Sacred Places' Philadelphia Office began to research the relationship between historic houses of worship and arts organizations in City Center. They found that the city's churches and synagogues had underutilized space - space that could serve as studio space, rehearsal space, performance space, even office space. Meanwhile, they also uncovered hundreds of small arts organizations - dance troupes, theater groups, and community-based artists - were in need of flexible and affordable space.

Learn more about Philadelphia's project here.

This summer the Chicago Office will launch its own Arts in Sacred Places initiative. Initially, we're gauging local interest in the project by reaching out to leaders from historic sacred places and arts organizations. Ultimately, our goal is to create two tools to empower historic sacred places and artists to develop mutually beneficial relationships. The first is a database that will facilitate successful matches by cataloguing congregations with available space and the space needs of arts organizations. The second is a training that will give congregations and artists the tools to build successful partnerships.

Stay tuned for updates about the project and success stories from congregations and artists.

2011-07-07T10:47:00.004-05:00

Welcome and Office Update
Welcome to the renewed Partners for Sacred Places Chicago office blog. Recently four interns have started here and we plan on posting regularly with project updates, local preservation happenings, and related news and events.

Check out the sidebar for bios and more information about us. Check in frequently to see what Partners is up to. We're excited to share our interests and knowledge and to hear from you.

~Amy, Emily, Katherine, and Duane

2010-09-13T16:41:00.007-05:00

Upcoming New Dollars/ New Partners For Your Sacred Place training
Interfaith Orientation
Tuesday, October 5th, 2010
6:00 pm at Historic Quinn Chapel
2401 S. Wabash, Chicago
Driving: Enter parking lot off 24th Street and Wabash Avenue
Public Transit from downtown: CTA Bus #29 – State Street bus, CTA Bus #1 – Indiana/Hyde Park bus
Please fill out and return the Request for Participation form by September 30, 2010 to Leanne Gehrig. PDF form can be located here.
If you have any questions, please call Leanne at (toll free): 866.796.0297 x97

2010-05-14T14:42:00.008-05:00

Upcoming Free Workshop

Partners for Sacred Places is proud to present free workshops created in effort to provide opportunities for the public to speak with professionals and leading experts in preservation and restoration, as well as other issues that affect owners and managers of buildings with architectural assets. Our workshops are always held in historic religious buildings, including some of the most treasured architectural gems in Chicagoland. There are no limitations on the number of workshops that participants may attend.

Managing your Church Renovation Project
Presented by Dan Ruzic, Chicago Project Management, Inc.
Location: Unity Temple
875 Lake Street, Oak Park
Date & Time: Tuesday, June 15th, 5 - 7 pm
From scaffolding obscuring the beauty of your church’s belltower to the red tape involved in the building permit process, renovation projects can be a headache for clergy and congregation alike! Dan Ruzic of Chicago Project Management will outline proven approaches to structuring large and small building renovation projects using a clear project scope, realistic budget and a faithful maintenance schedule once the work is completed. Mr. Ruzic will also discuss the selection of an architect or general contractor, and the importance of fundraising coordination in defining your congregation’s building renovation.

Please RSVP by email to chicago@sacredplaces.org or call, toll free, (866) 796-0297 ext. 94.

2010-04-16T02:56:00.005-05:00

Grant for Accessibility Renovations
A competitive grant program to support making accessibility renovations to houses of worship in Cook, Lake, and DuPage counties in Illinois is accepting applications until June 25, 2010. The Retirement Research Foundation’s Accessible Faith Grant Program provides grants to support part of the cost of accessibility projects, such as renovating restrooms for accessibility, installing wheelchair lifts or elevators, constructing ramps, etc. The grants are for a maximum of 50% of the total project cost and the maximum grant award is $30,000. For more information about this program and information on applying, please see http://www.rrf.org/accessibleFaithGrantProgram.htm. Interested parties may also call The Retirement Research Foundation at 773-714-8080

2010-03-10T11:00:00.005-06:00

Upcoming Free Workshops

     We are proud to present a variety of free workshops, created in effort to provide opportunities for the public to speak with professionals and leading experts in the preservation and restoration industry. The locations of our workshops are always held in historic religious buildings, including some of the most treasured architectural gems in the metro area. There are no limitations on the number of workshops that participants may attend.

     The following two workshops are the second and third installments to our current series on legal issues relevant to the religious community.

Legal Risk Avoidance and Managing Unavoidable Civil Liabilities

     Presented by Michael Mosher & Jacob Zehnder, Mosher & Wagenmaker, LLC

Location: Church of Our Saviour

                 530 W. Fullerton, Chicago

Date & Time: May 12, 5 - 7 pm

    This workshop is highly recommended to all in the religious community. An understanding of the potential liabilities of religious institutions as well as a knowledge of appropriate responses to legal issues is integral to organizational operations. The presenters will briefly review the numerous legal issues that are currently affecting the religious community. The workshop will touch upon the actual operations of not for profit organizations that have been forced to be litigants in avoidable law suits. There will be a discussion of various organizational policies that should be implemented to protect children, employees, property and the people who are invited to come into and use religious facilities. Two presenters will engage a lively dialog designed to stimulate the participants to open their eyes and evaluate the risks inherent in their own institutional environments.

Management of Sacred Property Requires Good Stewardship

     Presented by Sally Wagenmaker, Mosher & Wagenmaker, LLC

Location: St. James Catholic Church

                 2942 S. Wabash, Chicago (Rectory)

Date & Time: April 7, 2010, 5 - 7 pm

     Most religious institutions own and operate real estate that is necessary for the conduct of religious services. There are numerous legal issues that must be understood by property managers and the governing boards. Property tax exemption is a substantial privilege that must be protected. The good stewardship of property often requires that more than one organization will share a tax-exempt facility. Leases and similar land use agreements involve a wide range of legal issues that must be considered in every space-sharing situation. This workshop will concentrate on land use regulations and the laws affecting shared space agreements. Participants will study a series of “due diligence” checklists that the presenter has developed in her practice of law during the past 15 years.

Please RSVP by e-mail to chicago@sacredplaces.org or call (866) 796-0297 x 97.

2010-03-01T10:15:00.002-06:00

PSP featured in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Click here to read an article from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about the New Dollars/New Partners training that was just completed in Milwaukee.

The last training, module 4, was held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, built in 1915 by architect William Schuchardt. Images may be found online here.

2010-02-16T17:28:00.002-06:00

Free Workshops

State & Local Government Compliance Problems in Illinois

Presented by Ryan Oberly, Mosher & Wagenmaker
Location: Fourth Presbyterian Church

126 E. Chestnut, Chicago

Date & Time: March 3, 2010, 5 – 7 pm

Religious leaders often believe their institutions are not affected by many of the government regulations that affect regular charitable organizations. Failure to understand and follow employment related regulations can result in substantial penalties assessed against both employers and employees. Tax laws affecting clergy income are complicated and often produce great anxiety for religious leaders. This workshop will help the managers of sacred institutions identify potential problems and undertake remedial compliance if necessary.

Discovering Chicago's
Historic Religious Art & Relics
Presented by Rolf Achilles, Smith Museum of Stained Glass

Location: St. John Cantius Church
825 N. Carpenter St., Chicago
Date & Time: March 4, 2010, 5 - 7 pm

Are you interested in religious art and relics? There is a rich collection here in Chicago that remains virtually unknown! Historic St. John Cantius Church houses many relics and interesting art., as well as serving as a prime example of Baroque Revival architecture. Come and explore our city's treasures with Rolf Achilles, a leading expert in the region for stained glass, historic interiors and decorative arts.

To RSVP, please e-mail chicago@sacredplaces.org or call (866) 796 - 0297 x 94.

2010-02-15T08:30:00.003-06:00

Landscape Maintenance in Historic Cemeteries

Landscape maintenance is a critical element in historic cemetery preservation. Yet often the landscape is neglected or improperly maintained, resulting in damaged historic features and a loss of historic landscape character.

The National Center for Preservation Training & Technology will present a one-hour National Park Service (NPS) TEL course addressing landscape maintenance in historic cemeteries. This professional course is geared to NPS employees but open to others. The course will air Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 1:00 EST and will be offered at a download site at national parks across the country. For more information, including locations and contact information, see http://www.ncptt.nps.gov/tel-course-addressing-landscape-maintenance-in-cemeteries/

2010-02-02T12:49:00.003-06:00

Chicago's Magnificent Churches Tour

Observe a captivating cross-section of religions, cultures and communities when you call on three or four Chicago-area churches, temples and sanctuaries.** Compare and contrast religious faiths and customs on this popular tour of Chicago's sacred spaces. Restaurant stops will vary by community areas visited.

** Church stops vary by tour date and are subject to availability

Available Dates: February 27, October 9, December 4

Please visit Chicago Neighborhood Tours for ticket and schedule information.

2010-01-21T09:26:00.002-06:00

Opportunity for grants to make accessibility improvements for existing houses of worship in Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties in Illinois.

The Retirement Research Foundation is continuing its unique Accessible Faith Grant Program. Houses of worship may apply for grants to partially fund construction or equipment installation projects that will make their facility more accessible to older adults and people with disabilities. There are two grant application deadlines – April 16, 2010 and June 25, 2010. Note that this is a competitive process and applications require thorough information on the project scope and proposed costs.

For full information, click the following link http://www.rrf.org/accessibleFaithGrantProgram.htm or contact the Retirement Research Foundation at 773-714-8080.

2010-01-15T13:55:00.003-06:00

Free Workshops

Current Legal Issues Affecting Religious Not-for-Profit Corporate Governance in Illinois

Presented by Michael Mosher, Mosher & Associates

Location: Rhema Word Church, 5460 W. Ohio St., Chicago

Date: February 3, 2010

Time: 6 - 7:30pm

How to Work with a Structural Engineer

Presented by Kevin Wilson of TGRWA Structural Engineers

Location: Quinn Chapel, 2401 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago

Date: January 27, 2010

Time: 6 - 7:30pm

For registration information, please e-mail chicago@sacredplaces.org or call (866) 796 - 0297 x 94.

2009-12-08T12:25:00.004-06:00

Free Workshop

Energy Conservation & Sustainability in Sacred Places

Presented by Danta Domenella of Domenella Architects, Ltd.

Location: St. Philip Neri Church, 2132 E. 72nd St., Chicago

Date: January 19, 2010

Time: 6- 7:30pm

For registration information, please e-mail chicago@sacredplaces.org or call (866) 796 - 0297 x 94.

Professional Alliance Membership Update

We would like to welcome our new Professional Alliance Member, Chicago Project Management!

Chicago Project Management is a consulting firm, based out of Western Springs, IL, and specializing in church and home renovation and historic restoration projects. You may visit them online at www.chicagoprojectmanagement.com.

2009-11-18T16:00:00.005-06:00

Free Workshop:

How to Choose the Right Architect

Presented by George Halik of Booth Hansen

George Halik Biography

When: Dec. 2, 2009

6-7:30pm

Where: True Vine Missionary Baptist Church

6720 S. Stewart Ave., Chicago

Free street parking is available.

What: Participants will learn about:

- The Selection Process – Research, Proposals, Interviews

- The Architect’s Qualifications – What is most important?

- Compensation - How Fees are structured

- The Interview process

- What makes a successful Partnership: The Architect’s and the

Client’s Role in the Design/Construction Process

There will be ample time for Q&A.

Please click here to RSVP by Nov. 30th.

Sponsored in part by:

2009-11-06T10:42:00.004-06:00

Chicago Advisory Board Member is Recipient of Landmarks Illinois President's Award

Father George Lane, the President and Publisher of Loyola Press and a founding member of the Holy Family Preservation Society, has been one of the most dedicated advocates for church architecture and preservation in Chicago. His 1981 publication, Chicago Churches & Synagogues, is an informative survey of Chicago area religious buildings that has become a primary resource for architects and preservationists seeking reliable and scholarly material on the subject. In 1990, it was Lane who led the effort to stave off demolition of the historic 1857 Holy Family Church and helped raise over $1 million in restoration funds before a looming deadline. His appreciation for these lovingly crafted structures and his dogged support for their care and maintenance over the decades have made Father Lane one of the best possible advocates for their continued preservation.

Source:

Landmarks Illinois

The Cornerstone

Vol. 38, No. 4, p. 3

2009-11-01T11:01:00.002-06:00

Chicago Scroll Project Internship

Description: Partners for Sacred Places is sponsoring the creation of a new study, the Chicago Scroll Project. Students acting as interns will participate in creating visual documentaries on Chicago’s historic religious worship spaces. Documentaries will be made publicly available through social media such as YouTube. Students will be responsible for acquiring historic and archival research and data, preparing and conducting interviews, as well as creating a short documentary on each congregation. Teams of students will grouped together, composed of researchers, interviews, camera-operators and video-editors. This part-time internship will start in January 2010.

For students who have an interest in Architecture & Preservation, the Arts/Humanities, Communications, Journalism, and Film, this will you to explore your respective fields while working alongside others with backgrounds of various disciplines. This is a rare opportunity for students to incorporate creativity, build their portfolio, and document the rich heritage of Chicago’s historic congregations.

Requirements: Students must currently be enrolled as full-time student in an accredited college or university and have full, unrestricted access to filming equipment and software.

Stipend: This is an unpaid internship, eligible for academic credit.

Application Instructions: Please send a cover letter and resume explaining why you are the ideal intern, by December 23rd, 2009 5pm, to Chicago@sacredplaces.org.

2009-09-25T14:52:00.005-05:00

Sustainability and Energy Efficiency

Energy Star for Congregations

Website developed by Energy Star with information, tips and links for congregations concerned with facility and energy planning.

2009-09-17T09:59:00.010-05:00

Facility Financing and Planning

IFF will be holding a workshop on Facility Financing & Planning Workshop for Nonprofits on October 15, 2009, from 8:30 am-noon.

This complimentary technical assistance workshop, facilitated by IFF, provides a comprehensive overview for how to plan a real estate development project to achieve growth goals for your organization.

Participants will learn to anticipate and prepare for each step, including common pitfalls to avoid. From planning through predevelopment to construction, key concepts are illustrated using real-life scenarios from new construction or major rehabilitation projects.

Learn how to:
*Assess capacity and readiness to undertake a facility project
*Evaluate the costs and other areas of project feasibility
*Create a project development budget
*Evaluate financing scenarios and secure financing
*Select and hire development team members
*Build a case for the project to inform capital campaign and other funders

When: Registration & light breakfast begin at 8:30 am. Workshop starts promptly at 9:00 am.

Location: College of DuPage, Student Resource Center, Room 2800, 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn

Parking Ramp and Directions: Enter campus from Fawell Blvd., on the northside of campus. Park in lot D (no parking fee or pass is required). The Student Resource Center is a modern-style, white building with a red stripe. Enter on the north side of the building. For more information, visit home.cod.edu/generalinfo/maps

Space is limited! RSVP by Friday, October 9, to confirm you seat at this workshop. Contact Jason Ertz at 630.942.3317 or at ertzja@cod.edu
Each organization is invited to bring one staff person and one board member. Additional individuals will be placed on a waiting list, pending space availability.

For more information, visit www.iff.org

2009-09-14T15:10:00.018-05:00

Accessibility and Facility Planning

"Making God More Accessible" by Mark I. Pinsky

Houses of worship across the nation try to bridge the gap between accessibility and people with disabilities by making investments in their architecture and attitudes.

2009-09-02T09:10:00.017-05:00

Free Workshop:
The Stained Glass of Our Sacred Places

Location: St. James United Methodist Church, 4611 S. Ellis Ave., Chicago, IL
Date: September 22, 2009
Time: 2:00-4:00pm
This is a free workshop that is open to the public. It will be lead by Rolf Achilles, Curator of the Smith Museum of Stained Glass at Navy Pier. The workshop will include:
* the types of glass developed in the 19th & 20th centuries
* how to identify artists and manufacturers
* the care and maintenance of stained glass windows
* ample time for an extended Q&A Session.

Due to the limited number of seats available, reservations are requested by September 17th.

Questions should be directed to chicago@sacredplaces.org.

We look forward to seeing you there!

2009-09-01T13:13:00.014-05:00

Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF): Churches By Bus Tour

Saturday, October 10, 2009
11:30 AM

Chicago is home to some of the world’s finest houses of worship. Their beauty enriches the fabric of the city and reflects its spiritual, ethnic, and aesthetic heritage. This annual bus tour will visit five churches by famous architects in a variety of architectural styles.

Houses of worship included on this year's tour include:
Baha’i House of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois
Christ Church (Episcopal), Winnetka, Illinois
Sts. Faith, Hope, and Charity Roman Catholic Church, Winnetka, Illinois
St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Wilmette, Illinois

Click here for more information, including registration.