W. Dundee won't let church building be razed

The First United Methodist Church in West Dundee was denied permission to tear down its 159-year-old parsonage, despite the congregation's contention that maintaining the building imposes a financial hardship.

In its decision, the village's appearance review commission said last week that the church failed to present a "solid plan" for another use of the site, and that the congregation had not exhausted all avenues to save the historic structure.

The village is now working with church staff to locate funding to offset the costs of renovating the building, which dates to 1849.

The church congregation had sought approval to raze the unoccupied building at 310 W. Main St.

The building has sat empty since the church purchased its current parsonage at 111 First St. from neighboring Bethlehem Lutheran Church two years ago.

Community Development Director Cathleen Tymozsenko said the church and about 65 other properties in the Main Street area -- including Grafelman Park and village hall on Second Street -- are considered part of West Dundee's Historic District.

The historic district stretches from Route 31 to the Fox River.

But Paul Black, the church's building committee chairman, said renovating and repairing the building is too costly for the congregation.

"To bring the building up would cost more than $400,000," Black said Friday. "The roof leaks, there's mold, the foundation is crumbling and the interior is a mess."

Black said the decision to raze the building divided congregation members.

After more than two years, Black said, the congregation decided the most viable option was to tear the building down to make room for other church facilities.

As part of its long-range plan, Black said, the church would build a gymnasium, fellowship hall, education wing, an elevator and additional parking.

The project could take a decade to realize, Black said, but the congregation would have to change gears to save the house.

"We have to find a grant agency that is not a government agency that is willing to put money into this building in a place that is far removed from more historic places," Black said. "The village wants to preserve structures that are old because they are old without regard to the ability of the owners to maintain them."

The ambiguity of the long-range plan and the property's status on the National Registry of Historic Places led the commission members to deny the request.

"We have an interest in protecting the historic streetscape in West Dundee; it is one of the village's most valuable assets," commission member Joel Davies said. "Tearing it down butts right up against our mission to protect the historic properties on that street."

At last week's meeting, commission members suggested ideas to save the property, including moving the structure.

But Tymoszenko said relocating the home would jeopardize its historical significance since the status is also taken in context with surroundings.

For now, Tymoszenko said village staff is researching applicable grants for the church. The village is also working to ensure the parsonage does not pose a threat to public safety.

Since the building was previously used as a residence, Tymoszenko said, the village did not conduct any structural inspections.

Church officials in 2006 asked the village board for a consensus on its five-year plan and the demolition of the parsonage property.

At that time, Village Manager Joe Cavallaro told church representatives that the village staff would not look favorably on demolishing the building because of its historic status.