Lombard, IL — Thursday, May 29, marks 154 years since the First Congregational Church of Lombard was dedicated.
The Lombard Historical Society shared that the church was built for $5,000 in 1870 in a Gothic Revival style. The exterior of the church in the present day remains mostly the same, but two arched windows replace the original entrance doors. The original entrance to the church was removed in 1915 when Maple Street was paved. New entrances now face the north.
The original steeple bell was gifted by a church member. It served a dual purpose of gathering the congregation on Sundays and acting as a fire alarm. Community members would grab water buckets and make their way to the fire when they heard the church’s bell. First Congregational Church was home to the village of Lombard’s first library and kindergarten class.
The original church is now known as the Maple Street Chapel. It is owned by the First Church of Lombard, affiliated with the United Church of Christ. It is now used for weddings, concerts and other programs instead of ordinary church services. In August 2015, a small fire started in the church but caused minimal damages. The fire furthered the need for a sprinkler system to be added, which at the time the Maple Street Chapel Preservation Society was fundraising for.
Maple Street Chapel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Its maintenance and preservation is the responsibility of the Maple Street Chapel Preservation Society.
