Plainfield in Will County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Plainfield Congregational Meeting House
1850-1963
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 9, 2023
1. Plainfield Congregational Meeting House Marker
Meeting House
1963
Greek Revival
Landmark
Village of
Plainfield
Illinois
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.
Location. 41° 36.519′ N, 88° 12.2′ W. Marker is in Plainfield, Illinois, in Will County. Marker is at the intersection of Lockport Street and South Illinois Street, on the left when traveling east on Lockport Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 24022 Lockport St, Plainfield IL 60544, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Plymouth Congregational Church (here, next to this marker); Opera House Block Building Landmark (within shouting distance of this marker); Masonic Block Building Landmark (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Downtown Historic District (about 500 feet away); The Development of Downtown Plainfield (about 500 feet away); Darr-Gaylord House (about 600 feet away); Overman-Brown-Buss Residence (about 800 feet away); Barr-Hendricksen House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Plainfield.
Regarding Plainfield Congregational Meeting House. From the historic landmark
this page online
Though the Church has been expanded and modified, it is recognized as the oldest continually used Church in Will County. The Congregational Society purchased a one-half acre site in July 1849 for $40 from Adah Royce. The Greek Revival-styled building featured an imposing windowless south façade with butt-jointed wood siding to replicate stone and a recessed portico supported by Ionic columns flanking nearly nine-foot double doors with a hewn timber frame resting on a foundation of locally quarried limestone. Three multipaned double-hung windows with shutters lined the east and west walls and a steeple that was an octagon stepped belfry with paired pilasters and a copper spire was added a few years after the dedication of the Church. Construction began during the Spring of 1850 and was completed in March 1851. In the 1906 remodeling project, the Church replaced its original siding with narrow wood siding with a portion of that original 1906 exterior clapboard siding now visible inside a west hallway after the 2002 addition. The centrally located entryway to the sanctuary is part of the original portion of the Church and this original section is also historically significant due to its use as an enlistment center at the beginning of the American Civil War. On Sunday, April 15, 1861, two days after the surrender of Fort Sumter, the Church opened its doorsafter morning services and began registering men – over 70 enlisted and within ten days the recruits were on their way to Cairo, Illinois, to be trained as part of Captain Edward McAllister’s 10th Illinois Infantry Regiment."Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 9, 20232. Plainfield Congregational Meeting House Marker
Also see . . . Historic Preservation Commission Thursday, December 13, 2018 (PDF). Meeting agenda packet includes the church's nomination for landmark status. (Village of Plainfield) (Submitted on August 19, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 100 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 19, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
