Epworth Methodist Episcopal Church
Also known as: Epworth United Methodist Church; Epworth Methodist Church
Why it's listed
Epworth Methodist Episcopal Church, now Epworth United Methodist Church, sits on the northeast corner of Berwyn and Kenmore Avenues in Chicago's Edgewater community. The sanctuary was completed in 1891 to designs by Frederick B. Townsend, one of the congregation's earliest members, on land given by Edgewater founder John Lewis Cochran. Its walls are clad in large brown boulders shipped from Wisconsin, with Joliet limestone courses and sills, three towers of differing heights, and stained glass attributed to Healy and Millet. A large addition by the firm Thielbar and Fugard followed in 1930 during a population boom, adding a chapel, gymnasium, parlors and offices; it was recessed from the original front and uses matching boulders, dyed concrete and Romanesque Revival detailing. The nomination calls the church a unique Chicago example of Richardsonian Romanesque design and the oldest standing church building in Edgewater. The Barnes Memorial Organ is included as a significant object. The building remains in religious use.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is a unique example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture in Chicago and the oldest standing church building in Edgewater. It was designed by Frederick B. Townsend, an early parishioner, on land donated by Edgewater founder John Lewis Cochran. The 1930 addition by Thielbar and Fugard was set back from the original building and blends Romanesque Revival detailing with materials from the original wall.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 08000503, listed June 10, 2008. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 5253 N. Kenmore Ave., Chicago |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | June 10, 2008 |
| Reference number | 08000503 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1890-91; 1930 |
| Architect / builder | Frederick B. Townsend; Frederick J. Thielbar & John R. Fugard |
| Architectural style | Richardsonian Romanesque |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a religious facility (Epworth United Methodist Church); materials described as having excellent integrity. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.97199, -87.66023 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 08000503.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5384066
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.