About Friends of Historic Second Church

Friends of Historic Second Church (Friends) was founded in 2006 as a not-for-profit organization separate from Second Presbyterian Church.

Following on the heels of the successful completion of Friends’ first five-year strategic plan, the board of Friends created and adopted a second five-year plan in June 2024. This plan builds on the earlier accomplishments and looks to provide for an even stronger and more robust organization to carry out our mission of preservation, education and awareness-building.

The 2024 strategic plan’s five goals task the board to:

1)    Maintain a robust pace of preservation work
2)    Support public programming to attract and retain a diverse audience
3)    Raise the visibility of the art and architecture of the church and the work of Friends
4)    Broaden and professionalize the organization
5)    Grow unrestricted and restricted revenues

The Board also adopted a revised Mission, a revisedVision, and added Values and DEAI statements.

Mission

Our mission is to preserve and restore the art and architecture of Chicago’s landmark Second Presbyterian Church and to engage neighbors and the world in sharing our passion for its beauty and significance.

Vision

Our vision is a fully restored interior that will inspire people from around the world to learn about the artistry and workmanship involved in creating this Arts & Crafts masterpiece, its place in Chicago history, and to appreciate the power and enduring relevance of art in today’s global society.

Values

As an organization, Friends values:

·      the preservation of important artistic, historic, and architecturally significant places and the stories they tell
·      the responsibility it accepts in being a thoughtful steward of the resources entrusted to it
·      the possibilities that result from embracing a diversity of ideas and participation
·      the engagement of its neighbors in Chicago’s South Loop community, and
·      the power of the arts to educate, enlighten, and inspire both individuals and society as a whole

DEAI Statement

Friends of Historic Second Church is committed to fostering a welcoming community that celebrates and respects the perspectives and attributes that make each person unique. We pledge to continually strive for the broadest possible diversity of participation, thought, and action amongst staff, board, volunteers, contractors and guests. We believe this commitment creates an environment where difference is valued, and a higher level of excellence and innovation is the result. 

Thanks to the Strategic Planning Committee members for their many hours of creative work: Ann Belletire, Susan Burian, Heather Haberaecker, Nate Lielasus, Nicholas Luther, Linda Miller, Colleen Norton, Jim Peters, Sharon Sylvester and Bill Tyre.

Board of Directors

Linda Miller, President
Colleenn B. Norton, Vice President
Susan Baldwin Burian, Secretary
Nicholas Luther, Treasurer
Ann Belletire, Assistant Treasurer
Rowena Rennie Balogun
Mary Bucaro
Clifford Crawford
Heather Haberaecker
Karen Lamb
Nate Lielasus
Jim Peters
Darlene Pollard
Sharon Slyvester
Jane Tiffen
William Tyre

Honorary Board Members

Jerry Erickson
Ruth Sharpe
Donald West - Posthumously