Editor,
Some years ago Mayor Brereton with several others
fought to save the Belvidere Community Building. That
building was built in 1939, and was a worthy WPA project.
Today after a wonderful remodeling program, designed by
local architects it’s one of the greatest assets of our city. This
building was featured on the Illinois 2004 show calendar
dedicated as “Art Deco at its Greatest.’’
The Boone County Planning Board originally turned
down the request to demolish St. James Church built in
1886 and build a new larger church across the street where
the convent and small parking lot are located at Church &
Caswell. This lot is very small, less than one acre. Several
months later and after many city council meetings, the city
council decided to approve the Rockford Diocese to build
on this small lot. This is after the local Priest Father Geary
had several conferences with the Mayor and city council
members. A few minor zoning laws were changed prior to
the final council meeting. There was even a passionate letter
written by a council member favoring its passage and was
read and distributed to all who attended the meeting. It was
decided that the new church, built at Church and Caswell
would greatly help downtown Belvidere.
You can’t bring downtown Belvidere back to the 1950’s
and 1960’s. It’s a different era now. Parishioners want convenient
parking with easy protected access to the church.
St. James was given 22 beautiful acres on the west edge
of Belvidere, located in Belvidere Township. This is the
largest growth area in Boone County.
Father Geary says the new church built at Caswell and
Church St. on the south side in an older congested residential
area is the best spot for the next 100 years.
WHY????
The present church built in 1886 will last another 100
years with some proper maintenance. This is a landmark.
Let’s continue to use it and build a new church on 22 acres
on the west edge of town. It will cost less.
THE BEST TIME TO STOP A MISTAKE IS BEFORE IT
HAPPENS.
Sincerely,
Jack Wolf
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