Campaign OVerview
Wicker Park Lutheran Church has been at the corner of Hoyne & LeMoyne since 1879. The current building dates from 1906 and presents limitations to how the community can gather. We are embarking on a $1.4 million+ campaign to address these limitations in the second phase of a $3.6 million project.
This phase will better (1) welcome diversity with an elevator and ADA-accessible, gender-neutral bathrooms, (2) preserve and restore our historic architecture, and (3) enhance community spaces. We’re well on our way to hitting the goal with multiple grants and numerous individual donors. Your support will ensure historic architecture and community engagement will continue for generations to come!
Why this campaign is Important
Read The Case Statement Here
Our Progress
From 2022-2023 Wicker Park Lutheran Church had an economic impact exceeding $2 million dollars! That exceeds the national average for historic, urban congregations!
Independent Economic Halo Study (July 2023)
Your GiFT
We are grateful for your support of this important project! Please email giving@wickerparklutheran.org or call 773-276-0263 and we can schedule a time to meet to discuss your gift.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What is the goal of the A Place for All campaign (phase two of the Comprehensive Building Plan)?
A: The campaign goal for phase 2 is between $1.5 million and $2.2 million. This project is three-pronged: (1) welcome diversity with an elevator and ADA-accessible, gender-neutral bathrooms, (2) preserve and restore our historic architecture including our Rose Window, and (3) enhance community spaces.
Work will include an accessible at-grade entrance, a new ADA-compliant staircase, and an elevator. We will add an accessible main floor restroom and create family-friendly, all-gender, private restrooms on the lower-level. Restoration of the lower-level windows and our beautiful Rose Window paired with waterproofing the basement and reworking our sewer will better seal the building’s envelope to create more efficient community spaces and preserve our historic building. Details of the design can be found below in the details.
Q: What will happen during this phase of the campaign?
A: Wicker Park Lutheran has contracted with Partners for Sacred Places (Partners) to help us launch A Place for All capital campaign, which will focus on accessibility, historic preservation, and enhancing community spaces. Partners has already assisted us by conducting a feasibility study, awarding WPLC with a $100,000 National Fund for Sacred Places grant, and conducted an Economic Halo Effect of Sacred Places SM study (read the study). Partners will also be providing us support by securing potential internal and external gifts including additional funders to donate to the campaign, providing communication material support, and coordinating many aspects of the capital campaign with the steering committee and task forces.
Q: Who is leading the campaign?
A: The Steering Committee is led by co-chairs Nora Militz, Caroline Magnesen and Jonathan Meyer along with the Rev. Jason Glombicki and coordination by Partners for Sacred Places. Steering Committee members include Lindsay Bolton, Kane Mason, Kirsten Muszynski, Tammi Franke, and Alison Gorsuch who oversee the various task forces that support the community-wide campaign.
Q: Why is it important to have 100% participation from the congregation in a capital campaign?
A: Every gift is important! When outside funders and donors see that a congregation has strong internal support, it indicates a well-run campaign where everyone is working together. Outside funders find it more compelling to donate when they see that kind of unity and enthusiasm.
Q: How do I donate?
A: We have trained congregation members to ask members of the congregation for a gift. Each potential gift “ask” will be made carefully and with consideration for each person’s circumstances. Each member will be contacted by another member of the congregation to discuss a gift. If you’re interested in giving as soon as possible, please email giving@wickerparklutheran.org or call 773-276-0263 and we can schedule a time to meet as soon as possible.
Q: If I make a pledge now, how long can I spread out my gift?
A: Timing for donations can be set up at your discretion. We will be collecting funds pledged through 2027. We are also asking for a “deposit” at the beginning of the campaign to minimize interest paid on loans during the campaign. Gift solicitors will provide you with a pledge form to complete and return to the church.
Q: How many grants have we received so far?
A. We received a $250,000 Chicago Adopt-A-Landmark grant for the restoration of the Rose Window and the lower-level windows in 2024. The Metropolitan Chicago Synod of the ELCA awarded us a $20,000 grant from the Fund for Mission in 2023. We were granted a $100,000 matching grant from the National Fund for Sacred Places in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2022. In total, we’ve received over $370,000 in grants and continue to apply for additional funding to support this important project.
Q: What if we exceed our goals or don’t raise enough?
A: The Steering Committee will be closely monitoring our progress throughout the campaign. If we are short of our goal, then we may not be able to accomplish all the work we’ve set out to do. If we exceed our goals, we will complete more of the Comprehensive Building Plan!
Q: Is there anything else that I should know that is important to share?
A: Yes! Our annual economic impact is over $2 million. This is a significant contribution to Wicker Park and city far beyond the annual operating budget. Rad more about our economic impact here.
Project Details
Documents & Details
As a reminder, these drawings are from the Schematic Design phase and are subject to change as we move forward in finalizing the design.
- Building Design Documents
- Fundraising Documents
- Economic Impact Documents
Please note: The building envelope will remain unchanged. There will not be any structural additions to the building. Minor modifications may be made to entrance sizes improve A.D.A. accessibility. All work will comply with the best practices for historic development as indicated by the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the treatment of historic properties along with all historic preservation standards and requirements in Chicago and the Wicker Park historic district.