Peering up the Church’s steeple toward a heavenly blue sky. Photo: Jennifer Janasie.

Peering up the Church’s steeple toward the heavens, the sense of this Church’s spiritual staying power is palpable. Since the rebuild, the volunteer Board of Directors has been hard at work preserving the building’s history and making improvements, according to Gardner-Goodno. But with a need to now replace the building’s siding and install pavers to create a safe entrance, the Board is asking the community to once again pull together in the spirit of the Church’s long tradition of collaboration.

 Founding placard bears the names of community family contributors. Photo: Jennifer Janasie.

The Old Maple Hill Church rests on a foundational narrative of community members coming together in time of need. “The history of the community working together after the (1986) fire to rebuild the church was one component that drew me to get married at this site that was so loved by the community. That so many would care enough to put their time and resources towards making the building whole was inspiring. That spirit of working together towards common goals and reverence of the past history holds true in the community today from my experience,” says Gardner-Goodno.

Decorative and artistic elements included with the rebuild remain intact and beloved. Photo: David Coleman, Church Board Secretary.

Efforts of the community to embrace and preserve this special place should come as no surprise to anyone who visits the Church grounds. Strolling the surroundings, one will find a lovely, peaceful setting that puts the mind at ease. The Church is “a sacred space that fits in perfectly with the surrounding beauty,” says Gardner-Goodno. “The Church is a very spiritual place,” says Hedstrom. In addition to being a Board Member, he is also a member of the Spirit of the Wilderness Episcopal Church -- the church that currently holds weekly services in the building. Hedstrom carries forward the work of his grandfather Andrew, who was involved with the original church at the site. The Old Maple Hill Church also serves as a spiritual home for other meaningful community gatherings, such as weddings, funeral services, and community meetings, and is a welcome respite for contemplation, according to Hedstrom.

Gail Alden Hedstrom’s stained-glass transom window provides a warm welcome. Photo: Jennifer Janasie.

Stained-glass by Doug Morgan lit up in the sunshine. Photo: David Coleman, Church Board Secretary.

Artistic traditions live on through the Church as well. The main decorative and artistic elements that were included with the rebuild, such as Gail Alden Hedstrom’s stained-glass transom window over the entry door and the two additional stained-glass windows created by Doug Morgan, are still intact and much beloved by the congregation. The beauty of the Church’s stained-glass windows is only paralleled by the loveliness of the building’s acoustics. “When I was married in the church, we had a person playing the harp and the sound filled the church and was amazing!” says Gardner-Goodno. Some of her most special memories in Cook County have taken place in the Church. “While I had loved the Cook County area before my wedding, that day, in that small church, was so beautiful and meaningful that it kept me coming back to the community for all these years. I suspect there are many others that have found meaning, opportunities for meditation, reflection, and peace in that space,” she says. The Church has accommodated the celebration of many other weddings for both community members and area visitors over the years.  

Not only have many found extraordinary meaning in this peaceful place, but they have collectively continued for nearly 125 years to co-create this Church’s story. After settlers to the community built the initial building, Cook County community members rebuilt the Church in the 1950s, restored the Church in the 1970s, and then endured the later 1980s rebuild in honor of those early settlers. It was a “wonderful community response to honor history and maintain the site for generations to come,” says Gardner-Goodno. Those early settlers, family members, and friends have been remembered and laid to rest in this tranquil and revered setting during Church funerals. The surrounding cemetery is a sacred spot for community, according to Gardner-Goodno.

The Old Maple Hill Church overlooks tall trees and stands the test of time. Photo: Jennifer Janasie.

Although the original Church-goers have since passed, the community is fortunate enough to keep their history alive in this treasured and sacred space through ongoing spiritual celebrations and historic preservation endeavors. Fundraising efforts are now underway to aid the Church in subsisting through its current challenges. Making much-needed improvements to its exterior will ensure the preservation of this historic church for future generations. “It does need some loving care to restore it as a beautiful facility for the community to continue to enjoy,” says Gardner-Goodno. In order to be able to complete the needed repairs, the Board is seeking community financial support, as well as pursuing additional grants and other funding sources.