Bonified
It seemed like a good idea earlier in the week, meeting at 5am so that we could get into the vacant building without being seen by dog walkers and nosy baby carriage pushers. But as I forced myself out of bed at 4:30 I wondered if maybe we were being just a bit too cautious. I met my sleep deprived friend in the park across the street, and together we started looking for an entrance. We wanted to go to church.
Saint Boniface has stood in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood since 1904, but in 1990 the Archdiocese of Chicago closed this and 27 other parishes. Since then the building has been left to deteriorate. Vandals and trespassers have been a problem (I only went in to take pictures, I swear!), but most of the damage inside has come from water and non-human squatters living in the bell tower. Richard Nickel said “Great architecture has only two natural enemies: water and stupid men.” He should have added “mountains of pigeon shit” to that list.
In spite of the piles of bird crap and boarded up windows, the space still has a sense of grandeur about it. Various preservation and community groups have argued for saving the building, but to no avail. A group of Egyptian Coptic Christians have been trying to purchase the property for their own use, but they too have been unsuccessful. The archdiocese has sent a letter to area residents announcing that the teardown work will start on January 23, even though the demolition permit is not due to be released until March. Those wanting to save the building are scrambling to find a solution. I wish them luck, but I’m not optimistic.
The above photos were taken by me back in 2005. Getting inside the building was not hard, but it was annoying. The next time will probably be much easier. Demolition sites are usually not that secure.
RELATED LINKS:
SaintBonifaceInfo.com: History, photos, and general information about the building and the efforts to save it. They have a facebook group page, if you’re into that sort of thing.
Saint Boniface Memories: “…created to share memories of Saint Boniface with those who were a part of it’s parish and or school as well as others who may find it interesting.” Lots of great old photos of the church and the people who went there.
ArchitectureChicagoPLUS blog: Archdiocese to St. Boniface: Die! Die! Die!
Preservation Chicago: Saint Boniface was listed on their 2009 “Chicago 7″ list of most endangered buildings.
Outside the Loop Radio on WLUW (88.7 FM) just did an episode on Chicago building preservation efforts called “Out of Sight, Out of Mind”, which featured an interview with Jonathan Fine of Preservation Chicago about the fate of Saint Boniface. You can listen to the podcast HERE.
I’m not optimistic either. And hey, look, a court just struck down Chicago’s preservation ordinance! I wonder if that will impact what’s happening with St. Boniface.
Hmmm…well, it certainly isn’t going to help.
“While the ruling technically involves only two of the city’s landmark districts, the decision could be applied to all of the city’s landmark areas, leaving them vulnerable to legal challenge…The ruling does not immediately invalidate the ordinance, which will remain in effect until the case is over.”
Thanks for the link, Eric.
have you been back to the church recently? I’ve been trying to find a way in but have been unsuccessful. how did you get in the first time?
Allison: The church was much more ‘open’ in 2005. Now it’s pretty well sealed, usually.
Also, an update:
http://www.chicagocatholicnews.com/2009/09/new-deal-reached-to-save-historic-st.html
“(UPDATED: 9/12/09) An agreement has been reached to save historic St. Boniface — or, at least, significant parts of the vacant West Town church — from the wrecking ball, officials said Friday. Under the deal, four signature church towers would be saved, and the building would be converted into a “senior living” complex…”
There is a metal sheet with a yellow tree painted on it that has been cut open. Easy to get in but be careful, all.
Do not trust the ceiling/floor, it is holding a huge amount of water also people sleep in the northern part of the building. If you are looking for artifacts don’t bother, the place has been stripped by salvage one. (shameless!)
Beautiful building though.
Do you know if it’s still possible to get into the church now. I am thinking of coming a long way to see it and don’t want to be dissapointed when I get there.
Many Thanks.
The last time I went by St. Boniface (a month or so ago) it looked sealed–openings that I saw before were recently closed/bricked up/etc., including the one Eileen mentioned above. The building has gotten a lot of media attention lately, so the caretakers seem to be making more of an effort to keep the place shut.