Elgin council considers approval for 2 downtown churches

Dan Alarcon, pastor and founder of Discovery Church, thinks the former Prairie Rock Brewing Co. is the perfect place for his congregation.

He said the proximity to businesses selling liquor is not a concern because the church, like those restaurants, is just part of a community. Alarcon hopes to begin services at 200 Prairie St. — sharing a building with Prairie Rock Bar and Grill — in June. Elgin City Council members will give the proposal a final look Wednesday but gave it preliminary approval two weeks ago.

“It's not the first church in downtown,” said Councilman John Prigge at the April 25 meeting. “It's not the first church in a place that was not built to be a church. I'm certainly willing to give them a chance.”

Councilman Richard Dunne was the only council member present to vote against a conditional use permit to allow the church to function in the downtown. He said it's an inappropriate location and he didn't like that the city would lose economic opportunity with a tax-exempt organization in the former restaurant.

“I wish them lots of success and luck, just in a different location,” Dunne said.

While Councilwoman Anna Moeller and Mayor David Kaptain expressed similar concern, they joined Prigge in approving the permit.

Alarcon plans to host group Bible studies, worship team rehearsals, weddings, baptisms, Christian-based music programs, open mic nights, educational programs, music lessons and fitness classes in the church. The congregation of about 350 people has been meeting at Elgin Community College for the past five years.

Since the founding of Discovery Church, Alarcon has been searching for a nontraditional permanent location.

“For people who are afraid to go to church, for whatever reasons, they've already been in a place like this,” Alarcon said. “So we've already bypassed that objection or that fear.”

A conditional use permit for Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Chapel, which has been operating at 500 Fulton St., for two years, is also on the council agenda for final approval Wednesday. City Manager Sean Stegall said since the church is already operating, the permit will make it legal. Fr. Ronald Brown said he hopes church activities can expand with the permits in order — a process that has been under way for several months.

The council also will have to approve conditional use permits allowing liquor licenses within 100 feet of both churches. The licenses are restricted so close to churches by the state but because Elgin is a home rule community the city has the power to grant special approval if the church chooses to locate near an existing establishment selling liquor.