The St. Paul Church of God in Christ, owners of the Clarke House during the mid-twentieth century, saw the value in presenting the home as a unique example of architectural and social history. In celebration of Black History Month, we are presenting the incredible contributions of church members to the preservation of Clarke House and their commitment to public education. Despite demands from outside parties to tear down the house, St. Paul Church of God in Christ stood their ground, chasing off real estate agents who would demolish Clarke House in favor of a modern structure. Read on in the excerpt below about the efforts of Bishop Louis Henry Ford and his flock to share Clarke House with the citizens of Chicago years before the home became an official landmark.
HYDE PARK MANSION SURVIVES MORE THAN A CENTURY
Robert Grimm
Chicago Daily Tribune August 19, 1962
Just as the cupola on its roof once served as a landmark for ships navigating the waters of lake Michigan, a Greek-revival white frame mansion in Hyde Park now stands as a symbol of what can be accomplished thru [sic] residential conservation. Neither physical relocation, not use by successive owners, not the ravages of time and weather, have brought on the destruction of Chicago's oldest residence, the "Widow Clarke House," 4526 Wabash av. The home was built in 1836 by a Chicago hardware dealer. The structure's present owner, St. Paul Church of God in Christ, 4528 Wabash av., plans to show it off at a 126th anniversary celebration from 3 to 7p.m. today.
Old-Time Suburbia
Tours in the afternoon will give visitors a glimpse of the 19th century version of suburban living. A program in the evening will include discussions of the historical and architectural significance of the house. Speakers who will address the guests at 5p.m. include Edward Sneed, Cook county commissioner; Paul Angle, director of the Chicago Historical Society; Frazier Land, president of the Chicago Urban league; Ald. Ralph Metcalfe (3rd Ward); and Earl Reed, representing the American Institute of Architects.
The church, which acquired the building in 1941, works each year toward the rehabilitation of the house. It has spent $18,000 so far, and members have donated afternoons and evenings working to restore the house to its original condition. Altho [sic] the building is used by the church as an office and meeting place, congregation members look toward the day when the house will become an historical monument- dedicated to all Chicagoans.
"Chicago has often been referred to as the city which doesn't have a place for landmarks," said Bishop Louis Henry Ford, pastor of the church. "We will continue to fight off demands to tear down this building because we feel it deserves a place in Chicago on equal footing with the water tower." In the 21 years his church has owned the building, Bishop Ford has constantly withstood the persuasion of real estate agents who propose tearing down the structure and replacing it with one of more modern design.
"This is not just any home, It is Chicago's oldest," he said. "I hope the citizens of Chicago will help us relocate the building to its original site at 16th street and Michigan avenue, complete with a park and museum."
Showing posts with label St. Paul Church of God in Christ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label St. Paul Church of God in Christ. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
St. Paul's Congregation Continues to Make News
Throughout the 1950s, Bishop Ford and the congregation of St. Paul Church of God in Christ continued to make improvements to and advocate the preservation of Clarke House at its 4526 S. Wabash Avenue location. As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, please enjoy the following excerpts from articles in the Clarke House Museum archives:
PARTY TO HELP PAY REPAIRS TO HISTORIC HOUSE
Chicago Tribune December 30, 1951
The Congregation of St. Paul Church of God in Christ, 4532 Wabash av., will hold a benefit musical program and New Year's eve service at 8p.m. tomorrow in Du Sable High School auditorium. The Rev. Louis H. Ford, pastor, said proceeds from the program will be used to pay for the repairs being made on the Widow Clarke house, 4526 Wabash av., the oldest residence in Chicago, which the church owns. The congregation has contributed more than $4,000 to rehabilitate the house.
The Rev. Ford, who now uses the residence as a parsonage, has directed the drive to gather funds for basic repairs of the plumbing system and roof and for painting the exterior of the historic home. He estimated that another $5,000 would be needed to complete repair work on the interior. He said he hopes to make the house a museum of early Chicago home furnishings and design.
HISTORIC HOUSE, LANDMARK IN CITY, BEGINS 121ST YEAR
Chicago Tribune August 27, 1956
The 120th anniversary of a Chicago landmark was celebrated yesterday at 4526 Wabash av., where the city's oldest known home stands. It is the "Widow Clarke" house, built about 1836 at 18th st. and Wabash av. in the Greek revival style.
The 14 room white frame building is a reminder that old dwellings need not be dilapidated, said the Rev. Louis Henry Ford, present occupant. The birthday celebration was planned to demonstrate the importance of property conservation, he said.
The Rev. Mr. Ford is pastor of St. Paul Church of God in Christ, next door at 4532 Wabash av. The church purchased the historic house for $7000 in 1940 as a parsonage. Since then, more than $15,000 has been expended in rehabilitating the old building, said the pastor.
A birthday tea attended by city officials and hundreds of neighbors was held on the parsonage lawn to mark the event. Parked in Wabash av. was such city cleanup equipment as garbage trucks, street sweepers, and a rat control demonstration truck. The display of vehicles was intended to encourage citizens in neighborhood conservation.
After the Chicago fire of 1871, Clarke's widow sold the house, which was moved to the present location. Replacement value of the landmark is estimated at $50,000. Four spacious rooms on the first floor and four on the second floor have their own fireplaces, with original mantles. Most of the house's original cherry doors are in place. Ceilings are 12 feet high.
The house was one of three in Chicago to be blueprinted by the federal historic Americans buildings survey. The blueprints were recorded in the Library of Congress in 1932.
PARTY TO HELP PAY REPAIRS TO HISTORIC HOUSE
Chicago Tribune December 30, 1951
The Congregation of St. Paul Church of God in Christ, 4532 Wabash av., will hold a benefit musical program and New Year's eve service at 8p.m. tomorrow in Du Sable High School auditorium. The Rev. Louis H. Ford, pastor, said proceeds from the program will be used to pay for the repairs being made on the Widow Clarke house, 4526 Wabash av., the oldest residence in Chicago, which the church owns. The congregation has contributed more than $4,000 to rehabilitate the house.
The Rev. Ford, who now uses the residence as a parsonage, has directed the drive to gather funds for basic repairs of the plumbing system and roof and for painting the exterior of the historic home. He estimated that another $5,000 would be needed to complete repair work on the interior. He said he hopes to make the house a museum of early Chicago home furnishings and design.
HISTORIC HOUSE, LANDMARK IN CITY, BEGINS 121ST YEAR
Chicago Tribune August 27, 1956
The 120th anniversary of a Chicago landmark was celebrated yesterday at 4526 Wabash av., where the city's oldest known home stands. It is the "Widow Clarke" house, built about 1836 at 18th st. and Wabash av. in the Greek revival style.
The 14 room white frame building is a reminder that old dwellings need not be dilapidated, said the Rev. Louis Henry Ford, present occupant. The birthday celebration was planned to demonstrate the importance of property conservation, he said.
The Rev. Mr. Ford is pastor of St. Paul Church of God in Christ, next door at 4532 Wabash av. The church purchased the historic house for $7000 in 1940 as a parsonage. Since then, more than $15,000 has been expended in rehabilitating the old building, said the pastor.
Siding Is Replaced
Deteriorated roofing and siding were replaced, foundations repaired, and modern plumbing installed. The building, supported by its original rough hewn oak beams, looks better than many houses constructed in the last decade, said Rev. Mr. Ford.A birthday tea attended by city officials and hundreds of neighbors was held on the parsonage lawn to mark the event. Parked in Wabash av. was such city cleanup equipment as garbage trucks, street sweepers, and a rat control demonstration truck. The display of vehicles was intended to encourage citizens in neighborhood conservation.
Notable Mansion
The house was constructed by Henry Brown Clarke, an early Chicago hardware dealer and banker. The building was one of the city's notable mansions. Four [two] pillared porticos were at the front and rear of the building. The removal of these porticos is the only major change in appearance of the house. Their replacement, a future goal of the church, would cost an estimated $24,000.After the Chicago fire of 1871, Clarke's widow sold the house, which was moved to the present location. Replacement value of the landmark is estimated at $50,000. Four spacious rooms on the first floor and four on the second floor have their own fireplaces, with original mantles. Most of the house's original cherry doors are in place. Ceilings are 12 feet high.
The house was one of three in Chicago to be blueprinted by the federal historic Americans buildings survey. The blueprints were recorded in the Library of Congress in 1932.
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