Naperville gives landmark status to Woman’s Club’s Old Stone Church

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Joni Hirsch Blackman, columnist for The Naperville Sun

A short history of 14 S.
Washington St., Naperville

In 1841, the U.S. Congress passed the Preemption Act, which allowed Joseph Naper to acquire a 160-acre tract of land on Feb. 7, 1842, at a cost of $200 or $1.25 per acre. The lot where the clubhouse was later built is part of Joe Naper’s parcel.

On Dec. 10, 1842, the tract was deeded to Charles B. Hosmer, who subdivided the property into lots 50-by-150 feet. The area immediately behind these lots was designated as a public square and known today as Central Park.

During the next 40 years, portions of this block of land went through many hands. After the death of John Riddler (1866) and Elizabeth Riddler (1882), the tract including the clubhouse lot was sold on Aug. 20, 1884.

Alexander A. Riddler (eldest son of John Riddler) and his wife, Mary, sold the lot on which the present Woman’s Club building is located to William G. Sieber on Feb. 23, 1898, for $1,300, The Homestead rights were waived on Feb. 25, 1898. Five months later, Sieber sold the property to the German Evangelical People’s Church of Naperville for $1,300.

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Updated: November 8, 2011 12:32AM

Cassie Beidleman Kunsch grew up across the street from 14 S. Washington St., and always thought of the century-old stone church as a “sweet little building.”

When she was 9 or 10, she would look at it and think of her piano recitals, which were there. “I cringe still when I think of that!”

But since her Aunt Bette Jarrell convinced her 26 years ago to join the Naperville Woman’s Club, she thinks fondly of the place where she has taken her turn in every position in the group, including president for two years. Now that the historic limestone building has earned local historic landmark status, Kunsch is hopeful the building’s future will be even brighter.

“For years we went back and forth, whether to keep it or sell it,” Kunsch said. “People got frustrated with the topic.”

The club was presented with as many as eight offers to buy the building over the years, and always turned it down for several reasons, including the fear the building would be torn down. The landmark status will lessen that possibility in the future, because any changes will happen through a public process.

“I’m proud to be a member during the time we got landmark status — and Georgiann (Baldino) did all the work — I give her a lot of credit, she followed through,” Kunsch said. “It’s quite thrilling.”

Church beginnings

The Naperville Woman’s Club has owned the building for the majority of its existence. It was built by the German Evangelical People’s Church, founded Jan. 3, 1898. Construction began in late 1899 or early 1900, and included a parson’s house next door, which is now an empty lot.

“After World War I, the sentiment against Germans was too strong in town,” said Baldino, the club’s building chairperson. “The church disbanded.”

One of the officers of the Woman’s Club, which was founded in 1897, put up the $3,500 to buy the building. Within two years, they repaid the loan.

The stone church has served the Woman’s Club well for its meetings, public programs and for various renters, including book groups, sewing groups, theater groups and as a starting place for many fledgling churches.

In 1940, a kitchen and dining area were added — otherwise, the building is the same as it has always been. The building’s 100-person capacity has attracted musical recitals, weddings and holiday parties.

Focusing on home

Over the years, the Woman’s Club’s charitable works have concentrated
on arts and education. Recently, members realized they should temporarily focus on taking care of
their home. They tuck-pointed the building, re-did the front concrete staircase and would like to restore their stained-glass window. But the most important goals were landmark designation and making the building accessible, an expensive task for a building with the only bathroom in the basement.

“When we started to
solicit donations, people asked if we were going to preserve and keep the building or sell it. We realized that getting the landmark designation was one way to assure people we planned to make sure the building was preserved,” Baldino said. “If we could raise enough money to get the building handicapped access, it would secure its future.”

She began the landmark designation paperwork in January and, with the help of the Naperville Heritage Society, presented the application to the Historic Preservation Commission in May.

The building was already on the city’s list of preservation-worthy buildings. Notable features include its Gothic Revival architecture and its location as the northern gateway to downtown Naperville.

The club’s letter to the historic commission said, “The building stands as an architectural symbol of the town’s material culture. Built of locally quarried limestone, the use of indigenous materials tells the story of a 19th century Naperville industry carved out along the DuPage River. With many of its original architectural features intact, including stained-glass windows, squared bell tower and entry point, and pyramidal roof line, the building is an architectural gem worthy of local landmark designation.”

With the status secured — the Naperville City Council approved it June 21 — the group is re-focusing on fundraising. Interested donors can go to www.savetheoldstonechurch.org to learn more.

The building these days is known by its proximity just to the north of the downtown YMCA and by its bright purple door.

There is no significance to the color, which was painted a few years ago with the color “Mediterranean Blue” and turned out to be more purple. But there is great significance to the building.

“This is the heart and soul of the club. Without this building ... I don’t know,” Baldino said. “It’s such a focus, such a great place. When this club started, women had no other options. They wanted to have a public role. Now there are so many other options for women, but this building holds us together.

Joni Hirsch Blackman is the author of “Downtown Naperville.” Contact her at jonihb@culdesacs.net.