| Address | 60 N. Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL |
|---|---|
| Built | 1869-71 |
| Architect | Gurdon P. Randall |
| Status | Designated Chicago Landmark |
| Designation Date | January 21, 1982 (Final) |
| Neighborhood | Near West Side |
| Type | Place of worship |
| Landmark ID | L-93 |
Direct quotes from the Chicago Landmark Designation Report
“His home was located at Washington and Carpenter Streets and occupied an entire block. Carpenter died on August 8, 1886. The congregation of the First Congregational Church moved several times until the present structure was erected.”
“Andreas stated that, "Fronting on Union Park it has one of the most desirable sites in Chicago, and is no mean ornament to that portion of the city." THE ARCHITECT Gurdon P. Randall began studying architecture at the Boston office of Ashar Benjamin.”
“This church was located at 901 South Wabash and was recently demolished. It was also designed by Randall. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION The First Congregational Baptist Church was originally known as the Union Park Congregational Church.”
“He arrived in Chicago in July of 1832. Deeply religious, he organized the first Sunday school service in Fort Dearborn the Sunday after he arrived in Chicago. This evolved into the Home Sunday School of the First Presbyterian Church.”
“This church was destroyed by fire. The Old St. Mary's Paulist Church was built for the congregation of the Plymouth Congregational Church after they lost their building to fire.”
“The roof is slate. Immediately adjacent to the south is a smaller chapel, the Carpenter Chapel. The chapel is long and rectangular in shape. It is constructed of the same stone as the main church and is similar in design to the main church.”
What other designation reports say about this building
“…Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian congregations designed their churches with square auditorium plans. The Union Park Congregational Church at 60 N. Ashland boulevard (1871), is an early surviving example in the city, featuring a three-sided auditorium space that curves around the pulpit and communion table.”