“Major repairs at the Givins Castle, the landmark at the corner of 103rd Street and Longwood Drive, are officially underway.
“After inspections found extensive deterioration in recent years, the turrets at the Castle, 10244 S. Longwood Dr., are being replaced in coming months, and the roof will be repaired on a building that is over 130 years old.
“Jean Robinson, a member of a task force that led fundraising efforts to complete the repairs, visited the site on May 29 to see construction up close. ‘We’re really thrilled,’ Robinson said. ‘We’d have a celebration if it weren’t for the pandemic. We’re here to see the first stones come down.’
“About $1 million was raised through the Givins Beverly Castle Restoration Campaign, with donations coming from members of Beverly Unitarian Church, which has owned the Castle since 1942, community members and city and state grants.
“Donations are still being accepted. For more information on fundraising efforts, visit givinsbeverlycastle.org. Donations may also be mailed to the Givins Beverly Castle Restoration Campaign, 10244 S. Longwood Dr., Chicago, IL 60643”
As part of the fundraising effort in 2019, the Beverly Unitarian Church, 10244 S. Longwood Drive was one of four projects that received at a $240,000 grant from the City of Chicago’s Adopt-a-Landmark Fund administered by the Department of Planning and Development. “The castle-like structure was built with Joliet limestone in 1886 by real estate dealer Robert C. Givins and modeled after a home he saw on the River Dee in eastern Ireland. The building, which has operated as a church since the early 1940s, is a contributing structure to the Longwood Drive District, designated a Chicago Landmark in 1981.
“The four projects were selected from a pool of applicants that requested grants this summer. Among other considerations, staff prioritized projects that are shovel ready, projects that leverage additional investments, and projects that will have a positive, catalytic impact on their community.” (Chicago DPD)
Preservation Chicago has worked for many years with Beverly Unitarian Church / Givins Castle ownership. Recently we testified in support of the restoration effort and the Adopt-a-Landmark fund grant for this building.
Additional Reading
Major repairs underway at Castle, Kyle Garmes, The Beverly Review, 6/2/20