Healy Chapel
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Healy Chapel
| image = Healy Chapel.JPG
| caption = Healy Chapel in 2011
| location = 332 W. Downer Pl.
Aurora, Kane County, Illinois, United States
| coordinates = {{coord|41|45|33|N|88|19|23|W|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin = Illinois#USA
| built = 1927
| architect = George Grant Elmslie
| architecture = Prairie School
| refnum = 85000361
| added = February 28, 1985
}}
Healy Chapel is a historic mortuary in Aurora, Illinois. It was designed by George Grant Elmslie and is one of only a few Prairie School buildings designed for commercial purposes.
History
William H. Healy moved from Yorkville, Illinois to Aurora in 1891. He opened "Healy and Blair", a furniture store that doubled as a mortuary. His brother, Arthur N. Healy, joined him in a new partnership in 1901 and they moved into a new building at 50 W Downer Place. Focusing almost exclusively on undertaking, the firm was officially incorporated in 1919. Increased demand for their services led to the need for a new building.{{Cite web|url=http://gis.hpa.state.il.us/hargis/Reports/PropertyInformationReport.aspx?refnum=201546|title = HARGIS - Preservation}}
The Healy Chapel is one of only a few commercial buildings built in the Prairie School style. It was designed by George Grant Elmslie, a renowned architect who worked with Louis Sullivan. Like most Prairie School buildings, there is a strong emphasis on horizontal designs on the exterior. The three-story building features beige stucco along the third floor. A line of orange-glazed terracotta separates the stucco from the brick lower levels.
The building was constructed down the street from the old practice, at 332 W. Downer Place, and cost $100,000. The Healys were the first to bring hearse service to Aurora, and the Healy Chapel is recognized as the first building in the state exclusively used as a mortuary. It is located in the West Side Historic District, but is listed as a non-contributing property. It remains family-owned and continues to operate.
External links
- [http://www.healychapel.com/ Healy Chapel website]