Landmark Status For St. Boniface Catholic Church

WHEREAS St. Boniface Church was the first Roman Catholic parish (1837) in Quincy, and instrumental in bringing the Catholic faith to this area; and

WHEREAS St. Boniface Catholic Church was designed by prominent Quincy architect, John A. Benya, and is an outstanding example of Mid-20th Century Modern architecture; and

WHEREAS St. Boniface Church was involved in many firsts for the Roman Catholic faith in our community, including the beginning of the parochial school system, organizing the first orphanage, bringing the Franciscans to Quincy, and was instrumental in the founding of St. Mary's Hospital; and

WHEREAS St. Boniface Catholic Church has become a hallmark and anchor of the downtown, and with its 186-foot tall, stainless steel spire and cross, is a recognized landmark for the entire Quincy area; and

WHEREAS St. Boniface parish served as the spiritual home for Quincy citizens for more than 168 years, being a part of milestone events such as baptisms, confirmations, weddings, funerals, and other important events; and

WHEREAS St. Boniface Church is notable for being part of the Father Augustine Tolton (first African American Roman Catholic priest in the United States) story and part of the Potawatomi Indian Trail of Death history, two events written about in many history books and taught in schools and universities throughout the country;

WHEREAS in March 2007, the American Institute of Architects, Illinois Council (AIA), selected St. Boniface Catholic Church as one of the 150 Illinois Great Places; and

WHEREAS St. Boniface Church may currently, or in the coming months, be for sale and its future use unclear; and

WHEREAS if Quincy local landmark status is approved, the City's local landmark ordinance will provide protection of the major architectural details of the exterior of the church, and provide a strong deterrent against demolition;

Whereas if St. Boniface Church is ever demolished or significantly altered most citizens of the Quincy area will feel a great disheartening;

We, the undersigned, earnestly and respectfully recommend to the Quincy City Council and Mayor John Spring that they approve of and vote for Quincy Local Landmark Designation for St. Boniface Church, 641 Maine Street, in historic downtown Quincy, Illinois.