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This Week's Ministry Message
Recent Property Developments
Members of Baker Memorial United Methodist Church’s Property Committee attended the St. Charles City Council Planning and Development Committee meeting on Monday, January 12, 2026. As part of the meeting’s agenda, the City Council unanimously approved the agreement the church approved at our Charge Conference on December 17, 2025, to move forward the agreement for final approval at the January 20, 2026 City Council meeting.
The agreement between the City of St. Charles, Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, and Geneva Heights, LLC (Developer), is intended to facilitate the sale, preservation, and rehabilitation of the “Barry House” located at 217 Cedar Avenue and the adjacent property at 211-215 Cedar Avenue, while also establishing a long-term parking solution for the City and the Church.
The City obligations include funding the costs from the Central Downtown TIF, providing a $125,000 Historic Preservation Grant to the Developer, and constructing a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 13 angled public off-street parking spaces along Third Avenue at an estimated cost of $250,000.
The Church agrees to sell the Barry House and the adjacent property to the Developer for $525,000, dedicate a portion of property for the angled parking, and reinstate shared parking agreements for the North and South Lots, with the South Lot agreement extended for a 20-year term.
The Developer’s obligations include purchasing the properties for $525,000 and restoring the Barry House according to local historic preservation standards, which may include supplemental City funding up to $50,000 for restoring the original stone facade, and bringing the structure on the 211-215 Parcel into compliance with the City property maintenance code. The Developer must close on the Residential Contract with the Church by February 6, 2026, and obtain final occupancy for both parcels by May 1, 2027.
The congregation is welcome to attend the open meeting on Jan. 20 to show our support for the cooperative agreement. Please continue to keep the process in your prayers.
Brian Harris, Property Committee Chairperson
Mike Millette, Trustees Chairperson
Rev. David Aslesen, Pastor