Friends of Historic Second Church

The Friends of Historic Second Church will contract with three conservation firms to conduct treatments of several interior design elements within the Second Presbyterian Church of Chicago's sanctuary. Objects to be conserved include a large ‘Tree of Life' mural surrounded by a painted arch, a wooden framework supporting four life-size angels and arches, and two metal organ screens., The project will involve extensive cleaning, as well as paint and plaster stabilization and repair, rewiring of the light fixtures, and repairs to the angels and organ screens. The church, awarded National Historic Landmark status in 2013, is one of the earliest, most complete and intact non-residential expressions of American Arts and Crafts, designed by Chicago architect Howard Van Doren Shaw (1869-1926) who worked closely with muralist Frederic Clay Bartlett.