The Flickr Augustinetolton Image Generatr

A view looking east on Maine St. from the 600 block in downtown Quincy. In the distance on the left is St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church, a stunning modernist design by prolific Illinois architect John Benya. Completed in 1962, the church with its towering spire is a local landmark.

Quincy, known as Illinois's "Gem City," is the seat of Adams County. Located on the Mississippi River, this west central Illinois community had a population of 40,111 at the 2020 census. During the 19th century, Quincy was a thriving transportation center as riverboats and rail service linked the city to many destinations west and along the river.

I invite you to visit my Adams County album for more views of the residential and commercial architecture in Quincy.

Explore #61 on July 29, 2022

A view looking west on Maine St. from 7th St. in downtown Quincy. On the right is St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church, a stunning modernist design by prolific Illinois architect John Benya. Completed in 1962, the church with its towering spire is a local landmark.

St. Boniface is best known as where Augustine Tolton, the first black priest in the United States, was ordained in 1886 in an earlier church on this site. Although the church is now closed, the site may be reopened as a shrine for Father Tolton if he is declared a saint. According to a report earlier this year on the Quincy ABC affiliate KHQA, the cause for Father Tolton's beatification and canonization began in 2010. Several steps have been taken since then, including the exhumation of his remains from his grave in St. Peter's catholic cemetery in Quincy. The Vatican is now researching and examining possible miracles that might've happened through Father Tolton.

Quincy, known as Illinois's "Gem City," is the seat of Adams County. Located on the Mississippi River, this west central Illinois community had a population of 40,111 at the 2020 census. During the 19th century, Quincy was a thriving transportation center as riverboats and rail service linked the city to many destinations west and along the river.

I invite you to visit my Adams County album for more views of the residential and commercial architecture in Quincy.

October 1, 2021 - Named by the IL Association of Architects as
one of Illinois’ 150 most important structures,
this modernistic masterpiece is an iconic visual
in Quincy’s skyline and considered Benya’s finest
work. Terrazzo floors and stone walls envelope
the interior. The 160-ft steeple is constructed of
a steel shell with stainless steel interior, designed
to house the historic three bells from the original
church, as well as the heating & air conditioning.

Presently unoccupied, the building may be reopened as a shrine to Augustine Tolton, ordained as
the continent’s first black priest on this site in 1886.

October 1, 2021 - Named by the IL Association of Architects as
one of Illinois’ 150 most important structures,
this modernistic masterpiece is an iconic visual
in Quincy’s skyline and considered Benya’s finest
work. Terrazzo floors and stone walls envelope
the interior. The 160-ft steeple is constructed of
a steel shell with stainless steel interior, designed
to house the historic three bells from the original
church, as well as the heating & air conditioning.

Presently unoccupied, the building may be reopened as a shrine to Augustine Tolton, ordained as
the continent’s first black priest on this site in 1886.

October 1, 2021 - Named by the IL Association of Architects as
one of Illinois’ 150 most important structures,
this modernistic masterpiece is an iconic visual
in Quincy’s skyline and considered Benya’s finest
work. Terrazzo floors and stone walls envelope
the interior. The 160-ft steeple is constructed of
a steel shell with stainless steel interior, designed
to house the historic three bells from the original
church, as well as the heating & air conditioning.

Presently unoccupied, the building may be reopened as a shrine to Augustine Tolton, ordained as
the continent’s first black priest on this site in 1886.

October 1, 2021 - Named by the IL Association of Architects as
one of Illinois’ 150 most important structures,
this modernistic masterpiece is an iconic visual
in Quincy’s skyline and considered Benya’s finest
work. Terrazzo floors and stone walls envelope
the interior. The 160-ft steeple is constructed of
a steel shell with stainless steel interior, designed
to house the historic three bells from the original
church, as well as the heating & air conditioning.

Presently unoccupied, the building may be reopened as a shrine to Augustine Tolton, ordained as
the continent’s first black priest on this site in 1886.

October 1, 2021 - 636 Hampshire | First Mid Bank & Trust
1969-1973 | John Benya

Originally built for the Gem City Savings & Loan
and constructed around an original 1939 building,
this complex has a large cantilevered wing over
the bank drive-thru and maintains a full city block.
The plaza on the grounds offers a wonderful
green space for events in The District.

October 1, 2021 - Named by the IL Association of Architects as
one of Illinois’ 150 most important structures,
this modernistic masterpiece is an iconic visual
in Quincy’s skyline and considered Benya’s finest
work. Terrazzo floors and stone walls envelope
the interior. The 160-ft steeple is constructed of
a steel shell with stainless steel interior, designed
to house the historic three bells from the original
church, as well as the heating & air conditioning.

Presently unoccupied, the building may be reopened as a shrine to Augustine Tolton, ordained as
the continent’s first black priest on this site in 1886.

October 1, 2021

A view looking east on Maine St. from the 600 block in downtown Quincy. Seen on the left is St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church, a stunning modernist design by prolific Illinois architect John Benya, opened in 1962.

St. Boniface is best known as where Augustine Tolton, the first black priest in the United States, was ordained in 1886 in an earlier church on this site. Although the church is now closed, the site may be reopened as a shrine to Reverend Toulon.

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