Christ Episcopal Church
Why it's listed
Christ Episcopal Church in Joliet, Illinois, is a complex of native Joliet limestone begun in 1885 and dedicated in January 1887. The church measures 120 by 60 feet, seats 700, and is joined to a chapel by a covered arch. A bell tower with a castellated turret links the church to the parish hall and parish house, and a Queen Anne parsonage stands beside them. Inside, red oak dominates: the steeply peaked ceiling, exposed crossties, carved wainscoting, pillars, altar and pews are all of the wood, and a rose window sits above the entrance. The design came from F. S. Allen, who was 24 at the time and later worked widely in Illinois and California. The complex was listed for its architecture, its blend of Gothic and Romanesque elements, its Queen Anne parsonage, and its remarkable preservation. It is also the home of the second oldest Episcopal parish in the Diocese of Chicago, formed in 1865.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues architectural significance as the work of F. S. Allen, a well-known architect of the late 1800s and early 1900s, and as an excellent example of European Gothic with Romanesque highlights. The parsonage is cited as a fine Queen Anne design with cut wood shingles. The complex is also noted for being nearly unchanged since construction and for being the church of the second oldest Episcopal parish in the Diocese of Chicago.
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 82002603, listed August 12, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 75 W. Van Buren St., Joliet |
|---|---|
| County | Will County |
| Listed | August 12, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82002603 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | F. S. Allen |
| Architectural style | European Gothic with Romanesque highlights; parsonage in Queen Anne |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition, occupied and in religious use; interior virtually unchanged, with the parish hall remodeled in 1925 and a recent cleaning of the woodwork. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 41.52598, -88.08429 (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 82002603.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5108866
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.