Once-in-a-Generation Building Updates
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 $3 million+ update that will include making the building ADA accessible, creating more sub-dividable community space, adding offices, restoring our historic windows, and upgrading our kitchen. We undertake this work with a commitment to preserve our building as a cornerstone in the Wicker Park historic district. Ultimately, all of this work is to further deepen our work as a spiritual and social resource in the community for the next 115 years!
Make a Tax-Deductible Gift Here
Note: We do NOT have finalized plans or a set date for the renovations to begin at this time.
Contents
- Timeline & Progress
- Multiple Grants Received
- Feedback Meeting Recording
- Keep up-to-date with our progress
Please note: We expect that the building envelope will remain unchanged and there will not be any additions to the building or anything new protruding from the building. Minor modifications may be made to entrance sizes improve ADA 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.
TIMELINE & PROGRESS
- Phase 1 (Growing “the Wicker Park Gathering Garden“) – Completed!
- Comprehensive Building Plan
- Master Plan – Completed!
- Schematic Design – In progress
- Structural Engineering review – Completed!
- Mechanical Engineering review – scheduled
- Contractor cost estimate
- Fundraising Feasibility Study
- Hire a Fundraising Consultant – Completed!
- Conduct the Feasibility Study
- Planning – In Progress
- Conduct interviews – In Progress
- Compile results/research
- Review Feasibility Study results
- Wicker Park Lutheran Building Friends (potential independent 501c3)
- Articles of Incorporation – Completed and approved!
- Bylaws – In Progress
- Approved by the Attorney General
- 501c3 Approval
- Phase 2 (T.B.D.)
- Definition of Scope and General Planning
- Fundraising
- Construction
WE’ve Received MUltiple GrantS!
We are grateful to our growing list of partners who are supporting our vision to make these updates become a reality!
- A $100,000 matching grant from the National Fund for Sacred Places, a program of Partners for Sacred Places in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. We are the first organization on Chicago’s northside to received this prestigious grant and the seal of approval that our structure is historically significant to the architecture and community of Wicker Park.
- A $20,000 grant from the Fund for Mission of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This grant is awarded to congregations who, in partnership with other organizations, work to extend the reach of their mission through the intersection of proclamation, service, and justice.
Why Support This Effort?
- Expand low-cost space available for community groups related to addiction recovery, fine arts, physical/mental health, hunger alleviation, and advocacy. In 2022 alone we offered 4,000+ hours, which equates to 2/3 of the occupied time being used by outside groups. We’re turning away numerous groups each year due to lack of space and not being ADA accessible.
- It’s more than a church, it’s a community hub of activity! Did you know that urban historic churches on average are used 89% of the time for non-religious purposes? (Source)
- Be a part of the 144 year tradition of this welcoming congregation committed to responding to injustice and supporting the Wicker Park Community.
- Support historic architecture and community development within Chicago
- Partner with an organization that gives back over 40% of it’s budget to local and global community service efforts!
- Bring additional economic growth and engagement to our community. After all, research shows that the average urban historic church generates over $1.7 million in economic impact annually! (Source)
- Read our Annual Report for more information on your impact.
Make a Tax-Deductible Gift Here
Feedback Meeting Recording
This recording is from one of the three meetings held at WPLC. While the recording was for the congregation, similar content was presented at the community feedback meeting.
Please note: We expect that the building envelope will remain unchanged and there will not be any additions to the building or protruding from the building. Minor modifications may be made to entrance sizes improve ADA 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.
Keep Up-To-Date with Our Progress
Wicker Park Lutheran Church is an icon in the neighborhood and a significant piece of architecture in Chicagoland. If you want to keep updated on the progress of our project, please complete the form below.