UPDATE ARCHIVE
Update April 7th, 2010
URGENT
SAVE SAINT BONIFACE
THIS IS IT!!!
On April 13th at 1:00 PM there will be an open public meeting held by the City of Chicago, Community Development Council (CDC).
At this meeting the CDC will be reviewing the proposed acquisition of Byrd School at 363 W. Hill St. and its sublease to the Archdiocese of Chicago. This transaction is part of the swap and a crucial step that would pave the way to a reuse for St. Boniface Church.
The above proposal must pass at Tuesday’s meeting in order to go to the City Council for final approval.
If the proposal passes City Council, the City would then purchase Saint Boniface from the Archdiocese and then sell it to the developer, Institutional Project Management (IPM) for its preservation and reincorporation into an independent living development. (see plans below)
What can you do? ... IMPORTANT
Please attend Tuesday’s meeting to show support for this project.
The long hard struggle to Save Saint Boniface has come down to this vote. Please make every effort to attend this crucial meeting as a large show of support will encourage the CDC to approve the proposal and move toward a reuse for Saint Bonfiace church.
Community Development Council
Tuesday April 13th
1:00 P.M.
121 North LaSalle St
City Council Chambers 2nd Floor
Update April 13th, 2010
The City of Chicago’s Community Development Commission, at today’s meeting approved the acquisition of Byrd School at 363 W. Hill St. and its sublease to the Archdiocese of Chicago.
This is a crucial step in a complicated transaction that would allow Institutional Project Management to acquire the Saint Boniface property and move forward with their plan to reincorporate the church into independent senior housing.
More information should be available within 30 days. Any and all new information will be updated here.
Update March.28th, 2010
No new news since January 2010. According to an article in the Catholic New World, negotiations are still underway between The City of Chicago, IPM and The Archdiocese of Chicago.
Update Oct.28th, 2009
Negotiations are apparently still underway between The City of Chicago, IPM and The Archdiocese of Chicago.
(see Sept.12th update for details of the plan)
As of today the church building remains unsecured allowing entrance to many curious “explorers” creating a danger to those entering. Click Here for Flickr Set
This situation has been reported to The Archdiocese of Chicago several times this month without response. The alderman has also been alerted. (read the July 30th update below regarding vandalism). The church has also received it’s first graffiti tagging. Click Here For Pictures
NOTE: Structure has since been secured
Update Sept.18th, 2009
Drawings of the planned development of the Saint Boniface property can be seen at thedevelopers website.
Click the picture below to link to Institutional Project Management (IPM)
Update Sept.12th, 2009
An article published in today’s Sun Times states that: “An agreement has been reached to save historic Saint Boniface -- or, at least, significant parts of the West Town church -- from the wrecking ball ....”
Demolition Hold
#100308747
Date received: 9/2/09
Address: 1358 W. Chestnut/921 N. Noble
Ward: 27
Applicant: Midwest Wrecking
Owner: Archdiocese of Chicago
Permit Description: Wreck and remove a 2 and 1-story brick building(s)
Status: Released 9/2/09 [new application due to inactivity; application for this address previously released 3/6/09 and the City continues to work with the Archdiocese to find viable reuse options to preserve the building]
Update July 30th, 2009
On Sunday (July 26, 2009) it was discovered that a van parked on the corner of Chestnut and Noble Streets was struck by a decorative corbel from the Saint Boniface church bell tower. The immediate reaction was to believe that this decorative piece of concrete had fallen off of the church. Anyone who takes just a few minutes to investigate can tell that the object did not fall from the bell tower because of deterioration.
Here is why:
Although it would be easy to assume, without investigation, that the piece of decorative concrete, called a corbel, “fell” from the bell tower of Saint Boniface Church on it’s own, with only several minutes of investigation and with the use of deductive reasoning one would find a different story.
The highest bell tower is the only part of the church where corbels matching the one that struck the van were used. If you look directly above where the van was located, you will see that all of the corbels are still in place. The only missing corbel that matches the one found on the van was taken out approximately 15 years ago in order to remove the bells via the south side (front) of the tower, not the west side where the van was parked.
A logical assumption can be made that someone got into the church, made their way up to the bell tower, found the piece of concrete lying where the bell removers left it and tossed it out of the tower on to the van in an act of vandalism. This assumption can be further backed up by the knowledge that there were and still are, two unsecured openings on the church as of today, 7-30-09. A small window opening on the front door of the church and a peeled back window covering on the east side of the church basement. With minimal exploration, it would be easy to find the route from these openings to the bell tower.
See Pictures of this Incident Here
Update March 6th, 2009
The demolition permit for Saint Boniface has been released today.
Updated information HERE
Older Information Below.
For an up to date outline of the current situation please read the Timeline page.
News & Blog
Chicago Landmark Information
Chicago Tribune Magazine Article from 1977
URGENT: Neighbors have received letters from the Archdiocese of Chicago informing them that the target date to begin demolition is January 23rd, 2008. Midwest Wrecking will be doing the work.