Heritage Society awarded grant for Naper Settlement chapel HVAC project

Naper Settlement’s historic Gothic Revival-style chapel is getting new heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment with the help of a state tourism grant.

The Naperville Heritage Society has been selected to receive a $200,000 grant through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for the purchase and installation of new HVAC equipment for the Century Memorial Chapel.

Built in the 1860s, the nondenominational chapel is still used for weddings and other events on the grounds of the outdoor history museum.

“We are grateful to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for their support of this project and for recognizing, through this grant, the vital role cultural sites play in driving tourism and strengthening the local economy,” Naper Settlement President and CEO Rena Tamayo-Calabrese said in a grant announcement. “For generations, the Century Memorial Chapel has been a cherished place where couples have celebrated their unions, creating ripple effects that extend far beyond the chapel itself — filling hotel rooms, booking reception venues, and supporting catering businesses throughout our community.”

The HVAC project in the chapel is slated to conclude by the end of October.