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On August 4, St. Charles City Council voted against a request to demolish the 181-year-old Barry House on Cedar Avenue, keeping the historic property standing for now.
The Baker Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Charles, which owns the building, has long argued it’s a financial burden. Preservation advocates say it’s part of the city’s identity.
Key things to know:
The Barry House, built in 1844 and located in a historic district, has been owned by Baker Memorial United Methodist Church since 1993.
The church has been seeking demolition since 2017, aiming to convert the space into parking.
Preservation supporters say the building’s poor state is due to neglect, while city leaders have tried and failed to help find a buyer to preserve or relocate the home.
Here’s some background on the recent back and forth about the property from the Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley.
Here’s a Shaw Local article about Monday night’s vote.
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