On the landmark question

The minutes of the meeting of the Quincy City Council of October 1st are now available online. The portion considering the first reading of the possible landmark status of St. Boniface church in Quincy follows:

REQUEST TO SPEAK

Written request to speak under suspended rules by the Quincy Preservation Commission presenting a power point by Kirby Eber, 422 S. 18th, Nathaniel Brooks, 234 S. 16th, Janet Conover, 210 EastAvenue, Chairman of Quincy Preservation Commission, Steve Tieken, 3001 Lincoln Hill N.E., Reg Ankrom, 1476 Hampshire, RobertW. Cook, 310 S. 16th, Charles Rollins, 1677 Maine, Vicki Ebbing, 1515 Kentucky, and Msgr. Michael Kuse, 1119 S. 7th, regarding Local Landmark designation for St. Boniface Church, 641 Maine.

Rules Suspended

Ald. Farha moved the rules be suspended at this time to hear from the above individuals. Motion carried. Kirby Eber, 422 S. 18th, Quincy PreservationMember presented the history of St. Boniface Church, 641Maine. In 1837 the church was the first Roman Catholic parish and was instrumental in bringing the Catholic faith to this area. The history was brought up from 1837 through 1962, which is the current church standing now. John A. Benya was the architect. Two stories were found in history books about St. Boniface Church. One is the story about the Potawatomi Indian Trail of Death and the second is about the firstAfrican-American Roman Catholic priest in the United States, FatherAugustine Tolton. St. Boniface had many firsts for the Roman Catholic faith in our community, including the beginning of the parochial school system, organizing the first orphanage, bringing the Franciscans to Quincy, and it was instrumental in the founding of St. Mary’s Hospital. The American Institute ofArchitects, Illinois Council, selected St. Boniface Catholic Church as one of the “150 Illinois Great Places”. The history of St. Boniface is one of faith and community service. With the designation of St. Boniface as a local landmark, this history will be honored

Nathaniel Brooks, 234 S. 16th, Vice Chairman of Quincy Preservation Commission, stated the former St. Boniface Church Building is a characteristic example of mid century modern architecture displaying many modernism hallmarks which include a lack of traditional ornamentation, exposed structural materials and an emphasis on simplified horizontal and vertical planes and surfaces throughout the building. The building’s religious function is clearly identifiable and the structure features a variety of abstracted decorative and symbolic elements. Because of its urban nature and the way in which it synthesizes traditional forms in the modern design language, the building is a valuable asset to the City of Quincy’s architectural heritage. The design and construction of St. Boniface clearly meet the Preservations Commission’s goals of recognizing local buildings based on their architectural significance. The architectural significance makes St. Boniface deserving of the Council’s vote to help preserve this important building for future Quincyans.

Janet Conover, 210 EastAvenue, Chairman of Quincy Preservation Commission, stated they realize it is a hard decision when a property is recommended without the owner’s consent, and even more difficult when the owner is the Roman Catholic Church. As members of the Commission, they have weighed the pros and cons of this designation for over a year. The St. Boniface Catholic Church has become a hallmark and anchor of the downtown, and with its 186’, stainless steel spire and cross, it is a recognized and spiritual landmark for the entire Quincy area. Should St. Boniface Church ever be demolished or significantly altered, most citizens of the Quincy area will feel a great disheartening. The Quincy Preservation Commission proudly recommends to the Mayor and City Council that St. Boniface Church at 641 Maine Street be granted Quincy Local Landmark Designation.

Steve Tieken, 3001 Lincoln Hill N.E., is here as a spokesman for architect JohnA. Benya. He stated he has led the forefront on the research on John Benya. St. Boniface Church is a masterpiece in modern design. The importance of St. Boniface Church is viable and deserving of a landmark status.

Reg Ankrom, 1476 Hampshire, stated this is a parish community that no longer exists but the church is about the art and beauty of this building with features making it a Quincy gem. It is recognized as a significant architectural structure. This building is significant in art and architect and deserves the landmark status.

Robert W. Cook, 310 South 16th, stated the council had received copies of petitions signed by more than 2000 people to landmark St. Boniface Church.Why would all the people sign these petitions? It is certainly not because they have some financial interest in the outcome. Some are interested in architecture and are concerned that a structure listed as among the 150 most important architectural structures in Illinois might be destroyed. He continued to site why the people signed this petition and ask that the Council listen to the Preservation Commission and grant landmark status to St. Boniface Church.

Charles Rollins, 1677 Maine, supports the designation as a landmark status. He is not speaking from a religious aspect or as a longtime resident of Quincy. St. Boniface Church became a de facto landmark for him when he drove into Quincy almost four years ago. While exploring the streets and marveling at the many beautiful and diverse examples of architecture, he decided this is the place he would like to call home. He believes there are times when a building has so much historical value and is so important, so meaningful and so familiar to so many people for so many different reasons that its overall significant transcends individual ownership. That structure is deserving of some special status. This describes St. Boniface Church. The special status St. Boniface deserves is to be a Quincy Local Landmark.

Vicki Ebbing, 1515 Kentucky, stated she was here on a professional and personal level. She professionally represents Gardner Museum of Architectural and Design as their Museum Coordinator and also representing Quincy Preserve as an officer and the Quincy Historic Business District. On behalf of the Board of Directors and many members of these organizations, they strongly encourage the acceptance of St. Boniface Church as a local landmark. On a personal basis, St. Boniface Church has been an intricate part of the Ebbing family for many years and they would like to see it as a local landmark also. She also presented to the Council a letter from the Quincy Historic Business District.

Monsignor Michael Kuse, 1119 South 7th, representing the Diocese of Springfield and Bishop George Lucas. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, Illinois is the property owner of St. Boniface Church. They are opposed to landmark designation mainly because of the restriction it brings to anyone, whether they remain the owner or not. They feel that as owners, they should be asking for landmark designation not someone else. They are looking for someone to have this building that will retain the outside as well as the inside. He spoke of his family history with the church and was not speaking as an outsider. He asked how the Council would respond if someone put their home up for landmark status and they had nothing to say about it. They hope not to have the church destroyed in 60 days. Their hope is that it will stand as a status and will remain in this community. They will not sell it to someone who wants to use it in a profane way to hurt the hearts of people.

Ald. Farha moved the rules be resumed. Motion carried.
Ald. Bumbry moved the ordinance be read by its title, seconded by Ald. Duesterhaus. Motion carried.The City Clerk read the ordinance by its title.