Local church, cemetery designated with heritage marker
By Romi Herron For The Courier-News October 5, 2011 3:48PM
Craig Willert, Legislative and Community Outreach Coordinator for State Representative Fred Crespo speaks Wednesday, at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Streamwood, to dedicate a Heritage Marker honoring three civil war veterans and several early settlers of Hanover Township. | Dave Shields~for Suntimes Media.
Article Extras
Updated: November 11, 2011 1:52PM
Hanover Township Supervisor Brian McGuire said that although distant travel isn’t required to see it, a local cemetery holds a significant piece of American history. More than 50 community members joined him there recently when a heritage marker was presented to Immanuel Lutheran Church of Christ in Streamwood.
“It’s really important to educate people on history that’s right before them,” he said. “Local history sometimes gets overlooked when we’re not getting on a plane to go see it.”
With that in mind, the township recognized the church and cemetery as a site significant to the community’s heritage. The first such marker was made two years ago and honored the township’s first police officer killed in the line of duty in the township, McGuire said.
Three Civil War veterans are buried at the cemetery. They are, with burial year: Richard Bode, 1903; Henry Folmer, 1908; and Henry C. Schaefer, 1922.
“These three individuals gave the ultimate sacrifice in a time of peril in our nation’s history,” McGuire said.
Dave Madsen, moderator for Immanuel United Church of Christ, said the church’s history reflects progress that was born during one of the nation’s most difficult challenges.
“At a time when work was hard and war was literally at our doorstep, people were building a community,” he said.
The first burial at Immanuel United Church of Christ took place in 1854.
Ken Baerke of Streamwood visited the cemetery grounds after the presentation and said he’s been a member of the church for 30 years.
Each of the veteran’s gravestones was designated with an American flag for the event.
McGuire thanked the Streamwood Park District, historical society and village for supporting the heritage marker dedication program, as well as 44th District state Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates, whose office wrote a resolution for the heritage marker.
Comments Click here to view or make a comment