Goddard Chapel
Why it's listed
Goddard Chapel is a small funerary chapel in Rose Hill Cemetery in Marion, Illinois. Built in 1918, it was a gift to the city from Leroy A. Goddard, a Chicago bank president and former mayor of Marion. Chicago architect John N. Nyden designed it as a twentieth-century reproduction of English Perpendicular Gothic parish churches. The one-story building has Bedford limestone walls, a red clay tile roof, lancet windows with flowing lily-like tracery and stained glass, and recessed buttresses. Inside, an open timber-framed roof rests on carved stone corbels, and the original pews and light fixtures remain. The chapel is considered significant because it accurately reproduces Perpendicular Gothic features and shows the continuation of neo-Gothic design for religious buildings into the early twentieth century. Alterations include restrooms added in the narthex and some replaced roof tiles. The chapel remains in use and is owned by the city.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the chapel is significant as a faithful twentieth-century reproduction of English Perpendicular Gothic parish church architecture. It highlights the open timber-framed roof, recessed buttresses, pointed arch and flowing window tracery as accurate Perpendicular features. It shows neo-Gothic religious design continuing into the early twentieth century.
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 86003157, listed November 6, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Rose Hill Cemetery, IL 37 N, Marion |
|---|---|
| County | Williamson County |
| Listed | November 6, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86003157 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- (specific date 1918) |
| Architect / builder | John N. Nyden, Architect |
| Architectural style | Neo-Gothic Revival, reproducing English Perpendicular Gothic |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied and in excellent condition, with alterations including added restrooms in the narthex and some stained glass removed from the northwest window for repairs. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 37.74331, -88.93097 (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 86003157.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15221786
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.