HR1109 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1109 LRB096 21901 GRL 39953 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the Maple Street Chapel Preservation Society on the 140th anniversary of the Maple Street Chapel; and

WHEREAS, The Maple Street Chapel and the Village of Lombard have been linked together for 140 years; the Village of Lombard was incorporated in 1869 and the Maple Street Chapel, the most visible, enduring, and recognizable architectural structure in the Village of Lombard, was dedicated on May 29, 1870; and

WHEREAS, This National Historic Landmark chapel has a Gothic design and a rich heritage; it was built for $5,000 with a bat and board exterior and a natural oak and hickory wainscot interior with unique Calico-leaded glass windows; and

WHEREAS, The soaring spire of the Maple Street Chapel has been a welcoming sign to people coming to visit the Village of Lombard; and

WHEREAS, The Chapel was the site of the first Village Hall and the first free Public Library; the bell of the chapel served as the fire alarm for many years; and

WHEREAS, Originally built as a central worship space for the congregation of the First Church of Lombard, the Maple Street Chapel is currently preferred for special worship services, concerts, wedding, lectures, meetings, and other special occasions; and

WHEREAS, Noted Lombard citizen Josiah T. Reade was the founder of the first free library located in the chapel; it was through his love of books and his willingness to share knowledge and insight that the library was established, with over 6,000 of his books as the core of the collection in the new Public Library; and

WHEREAS, William Plum, another notable Lombard citizen, donated lilacs from his garden, and today there are over 300 varieties of lilac in the eight-acre Lilacia Park; his land and home were donated to Lombard and became the home of Lilacia Park and a library; and

WHEREAS, For more than 20 years, the Maple Street Chapel Preservation Society, Inc., and its predecessor group have been the stewards that have maintained this vital part of Lombard history; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Maple Street Chapel Preservation Society as they commemorate the 140th anniversary of the Maple Street Chapel; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Maple Street Chapel Preservation Society as a symbol of our respect and esteem.