Perhaps unexpectedly, you are standing before a castle. But it is not just any castle. It is the Givins Beverly Castle. It is home to the Beverly Unitarian Church. The church purchased it in 1942 for $14,000.
Beverly Unitarian Church is a unique congregation. It resides within the walls of Chicago’s only castle. The Givins Beverly Castle is nearly synonymous with the Beverly-Morgan Park neighborhood. Its turrets mark it. The castle serves the community as a preschool, event center, and meeting hall. It hosts conversations, learning, and civic engagement.
Robert C. Givins built the castle in 1886. He was a real estate promoter and novelist. He was inspired by castles in Ireland. The castle is at 10244 South Longwood Drive. Givins intended the castle to spark residential growth. He wanted to develop the Rock Island Line. The solid limestone came from a quarry near Joliet. Givins spent $80,000 on the mansion.
Beverly Unitarian Church has a rich history beyond the castle. It formed in 1951. Two congregations merged. They were the Beverly Unitarian Fellowship and the People’s Liberal Church. The People’s Liberal Church had several names. It was once the Unitarian Universalist Christian Union Society of Englewood. Later, it became the First Universalist Church of Englewood. In 1889, it was named Stewart Avenue Universalist Church.
The Beverly Unitarian Church stands for important values. These include fairness and equity. The church held its first Pride event recently. Over 100 people attended.
The church faced adversity when a Pride flag was burned. It also faced it when a Black Lives Matter sign was put up. The church received death threats then. But the church persevered. It added more Pride colors after the flag was burned. The Beverly Unitarian Church will not be intimidated.
Many ministers have served the Beverly Unitarian Church. Florence E. Kollock served the People’s Liberal Church from 1878-1892. Rufus Austin White followed from 1892-1936. Donald S. Harrington served both before the merger. David Schwartz is the current minister since 2017.
The Givins Beverly Castle is more than just a building. It is a landmark. It is a contributing structure in the Longwood Drive District. It also contributes to the Ridge Historic District. Beverly Unitarian Church is the caretaker of this community treasure. The church continues to welcome all. It provides a space for reflection, action and community. Its history and its castle home make it a unique place.