Christ Church of Lower Kickapoo
Also known as: Christ Church
Why it's listed
Christ Church of Lower Kickapoo is a small fieldstone chapel standing on a rise behind its parish cemetery in western Peoria County, Illinois. Completed in 1845, it serves a congregation founded in 1834 and organized in 1837 by Bishop Philander Chase. Many parishioners were English immigrants, and most of the $1,500 cost came from English donors, among them the Dowager Queen Adelaide. The design follows the medieval English parish church, with a simple rectangular plan, pointed-arch windows, rough limestone walls and an exposed timber truss roof. Walnut paneling covered the oak trusses in 1880, and a square bell tower was added at the west entrance in 1889 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Queen Victoria's reign. Inside, white plaster contrasts with dark woodwork, original box pews, and a walnut altar and cherry font made by early parishioners. After services lapsed in the early twentieth century, a restoration fund led to repairs in 1937, and regular weekly services resumed after 1960.
Significance in brief: It is described as one of the oldest Episcopal churches in Illinois, founded in 1834 and organized in 1837 by Bishop Philander Chase. Its construction was funded largely by English donations, including from the Dowager Queen Adelaide, and its plan and detailing follow the medieval English parish church. The timber-trussed roof, fieldstone walls and dark woodwork against white plaster tie it to English antecedents.
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 83000333, listed February 10, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | W of Norwood Park on Christ Church Rd., Norwood Park |
|---|---|
| County | Peoria County |
| Listed | February 10, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83000333 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Architect unknown; Builder: Parishioners |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Religion, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in excellent condition, altered; weekly services have been held since 1960 as a parochial chapel staffed from St. Paul's Cathedral of Peoria. |
| Acreage | 1.6 |
| Coordinates | 40.70712, -89.71673 (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 83000333.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5108836
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.