Plano Stone Church
Plano Stone Church (Community of Christ) | |
![]() Side of the church | |
Location | 304 S. Center Ave., Plano, Illinois |
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Coordinates | 41°39′33″N 88°32′9″W / 41.65917°N 88.53583°W |
Area | less than one acre |
Built | 1868 |
Architectural style | Greek Revival |
NRHP reference No. | 90001724[1] |
Added to NRHP | November 2, 1990 |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Plano_stone_church1.jpg/200px-Plano_stone_church1.jpg)
The Plano Stone Church was constructed in 1868 to serve as the headquarters for the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS Church, now Community of Christ) under the leadership of Joseph Smith III. Smith moved to Plano, Illinois, in 1866 and in 1867 was appointed head of the Stone Church's building committee. Smith and the committee selected the site, design and builder for the structure. The Plano Stone Church served as the headquarters of the RLDS from its completion in 1868 until Smith, his family, and the church moved to Lamoni, Iowa, in 1881.
The building is constructed in the
History
Plans for Smith's move commenced in 1865, and by January 1866 Smith and his family had relocated from Nauvoo to Plano, Illinois.[3] Smith was persuaded to make the move by church members and leaders in Kendall County; the headquarters of the RLDS moved from Nauvoo to Plano with the Smith family. Once in Plano, Smith became the editor-in-chief of the Saints Herald, the official publication the RLDS.[2]
In 1867 the congregation in Plano appointed a building committee for the construction of a church building for the congregation, naming Smith as its chairman. Smith and the committee selected the site, design and builders for the project.[2] Work on the building started on March 18, 1868 and by November 15 the completed church was dedicated. The building served as the main house of worship for the Plano RLDS congregation from its completion until 1881, and was the first church building for any congregation of the RLDS.[2] During this period it also served as headquarters for the RLDS church and Smith's base of operations as church leader.[2][4]
Between 1868 and 1881 Smith was active in church leadership and local politics, holding office as village trustee and local justice of the peace. He resigned his position as magistrate in March 1880 after he met with criticism for canceling a court hearing in favor of a church appointment.[2] In 1881 RLDS headquarters, the church's printing house and Joseph Smith III moved from Plano to Lamoni, Iowa, a community established by RLDS members during the 1870s.[5]
The church building is still home to a congregation of the RLDS, renamed Community of Christ in 2001.[6] The original church pews, constructed by congregation members from local lumber, are still in use.[6] The facility offers public tours by appointment.[7]
Architecture
The building is cast in the
The interior of the Plano Stone Church consists of two rooms, a small 8-foot (2 m) by 12-foot (4 m)
The building has undergone alterations and renovations during its history. The original stone stairs on the exterior were removed and replaced. Most of the structure's alterations occurred during the 1940s and were on its interior.[2] Inside, there were originally two alcoves off the vestibule which contained stoves used for heating. These alcoves have since been enclosed: one serves as the basement stairway access and the other as a closet. Other changes during the 1940s include the addition of a projecting bay behind the pulpit and amber glass panes to the windows.[2]
Significance
The Plano Stone Church is most significant for its years as headquarters for the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, from 1868–1881.[2][4] The building, the oldest church in Plano, was declared a Kendall County Landmark in 1974.[4][6] On November 2, 1990 the structure was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.[9] The church was listed on the National Register for its role as the headquarters of the RLDS and its association with the first RLDS president Joseph Smith III.[2]
See also
- Latter Day Saint movement
- Mormonism
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Kendall County, Illinois
- Red Brick Store
- Restoration Branches
Notes
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Knapp, William J. "Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints", (PDF), National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form, 3 August 1990, HAARGIS Database, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, pp. 1–6. Retrieved 13 September 2007.
- ISBN 0830912088). Retrieved 13 September 2007.
- ^ a b c Hild, Ted. "Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Illinois Historic Sites Survey Inventory, 1973, HAARGIS Database, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, pp. 7–10. Retrieved 13 September 2007.
- ISBN 0791423972). Retrieved 13 September 2007.
- ^ a b c "Plano Stone Church, Community of Christ, official site. Retrieved 13 September 2007.
- ^ "Plano Stone Church Tour Information," Community of Christ, official site. Retrieved 13 September 2007.
- ^ "Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints," Property Information Report, HAARGIS Database, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Retrieved 13 September 2007.
- ^ National Register Information System Archived 2007-10-02 at the Wayback Machine, National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service. Retrieved 13 September 2007.
External links
Media related to Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Plano, Illinois) at Wikimedia Commons