County of building: Saint Charles County
Location of structure: N 5th St., 3rd Building S of Washington St, E side, St. Charles
Built: 1970
Architect: Unknown
Architectural Style: Commercial Block
I found this structure while in St. Charles, and collecting waymarks in the NRHP contributing building category. This building is non-contributing, and I almost passed it up, then noticed the plastic sign in the front door of it being a chapel.
"Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion that invites spiritual inquiry - we ask questions, you find your answers.
"As Unitarian Universalists we affirm each person's free and responsible search for truth and meaning. We honor the many sources of wisdom, ancient and contemporary, that can inspire us and help us to open our hearts and grow to love and serve the world more deeply.
"We do not have a shared creed but instead join together in spiritual exploration and a desire to live in harmony with nature and to work to create peace and justice in our society." ~ Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church
The International organization believes:
"We are people of all ages, people of many backgrounds, and people of many beliefs. We are brave, curious and compassionate thinkers and doers. We create spirituality and community beyond boundaries, working for more justice and more love in our own lives and in the world.
"Unitarian Universalism affirms and promotes seven Principles, grounded in the humanistic teachings of the world's religions. Our spirituality is unbounded, drawing from scripture and science, nature and philosophy, personal experience and ancient tradition as described in our six Sources." ~ UAA
History of the Building:
Built: c. 1970
Style/Design: Commercial
This office building was built around 1970, according to the County Parcels Database, and it was used as an office originally. The
addition on the rear was added in 1997 according to the St. Charles Department of Community Development files. Between 1917 and 1929, a shed and large auto garage was built on this property and the shed was later used as a grocery (according to the 1947 map), but those were demolished to construct this building.
"This flat roofed, one story brick office building has a simple facade with an off-centered, recessed entry with anodized aluminum
commercial storefront framing and doors in the recess. Along the south side, there are four bays with smoked glass windows that appear to be later replacements since there is siding infilling above and below each window. The back bay on this side is a secondary entry with an awning. Behind the original building is a 1997 flat roofed brick addition. Since this was built after the period of significance for the historic district, this building is noncontributing to the district.
"The lot behind the building and along the south side is paved for parking." ~ St. Charles Historic Survey Phase I, PDF pages 621-624