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Historic Preservation Commission advances Dewey Church preservation, recommends website history expansion
Summary
At its Jan. 14 meeting the Historic Preservation Commission agreed to pursue grant funding and promotion for the Immanuel Episcopal (Dewey) Church, approved a motion recommending the city expand online history resources, and discussed paint testing, window protection and fundraising priorities.
The Historic Preservation Commission on Jan. 14 voted to ask the City Council to expand the Lancaster website’s history resources and mapped next steps to preserve the Immanuel Episcopal Church, commonly called the Dewey Church.
David Timmerman, who said he will lead the commission’s work on grant applications, reported he has applied for a $50,000 grant from T‑Mobile for a new roof and restroom work at the church and expects notification in March. The commission also discussed applying to the National Fund for Sacred Places, a Lily Foundation‑funded program with an application deadline of March 3; Timmerman said the fund does not always require properties to be on the National Register and that he expects to consult with John Angeli and Hibbard if needed.
Commissioners approved a motion by Timmerman, seconded by Mike Johansen, recommending that the City Council expand online history resources to feature the Dewey Church and cemetery along with other local historic sites. The motion passed on a voice vote.
Members debated immediate preservation steps. Commissioner Mike Steffel said the University of Wisconsin Occupational Health Laboratory will test paint samples for $40 each and can return results in about seven working days; the commission agreed to wait for grant outcomes before sending samples. Stuart Harper, who was absent from the meeting but who had sent a note, reported no progress on window protection; Timmerman said he will contact Steve Zabel and Melissa McCauley said she will check with Glass Heritage in Davenport, which has experience with church windows.
The commission prioritized roof repairs—an estimated cost around $30,000—followed by window protection (estimated at least $2,000). Members noted the Dewey heritage group does not currently have those reserves and discussed postponing a volunteer workday and seeking donated equipment or in‑kind crew support if grants are not awarded.
No date was set for the commission’s next meeting. The commission adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
