Memorial Washington Reformed Presbyterian Church
Why it's listed
This small white church near Elgin, in Plato Township, Kane County, was built in 1844-45 by William and Daniel Fraser and the Scotch and Scotch-Irish settlers who formed its congregation. The land was donated by Alexander McCornack, who emigrated from Scotland in 1840. The building measures about 24 by 38 feet, with wood drop siding, a stone foundation added in Civil War times, and a pedimented gable over the south front. Pilasters divide that front into three bays, and a hand-carved wooden sundial hangs above the double-door entrance. Inside is a single room with original unfinished floorboards, plastered walls, plain wooden pews and a pulpit. A bronze memorial tablet added in 1924 is the only change to its original appearance. Surveys of Kane County identify it as one of few Greek Revival buildings in the county and the only unaltered non-residential one. Many early settlers are buried in the adjoining cemetery, and descendants have cared for the site since 1916.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is an excellent example of Greek Revival architecture, and the only unaltered non-residential example in Kane County. It was built entirely by the Scotch and Scotch-Irish settlers of the original congregation and retains its original appearance and features. It also stands as a memorial to those early settlers' religious convictions.
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 80001376, listed November 19, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | W of Elgin on W. Highland Ave. Rd., Elgin |
|---|---|
| County | Kane County |
| Listed | November 19, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80001376 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | William and Daniel Fraser |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as unoccupied, in excellent condition and unaltered on its original site. A business meeting and memorial service is held there each June. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.06425, -88.39123 (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 80001376.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6815554
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.