Regrouping After Unity Temple Theft

Those involved with the massive restoration of master architect Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple aren't banking on the criminals who swiped bronze letters from the Oak Park landmark being history buffs with a heart. 

"I don't know we'll hold out much hope for their return," said Unity Temple Restoration Foundation executive director Emily Roth. "We'd certainly be happy to have them returned to us. But what we need to do right now explore scenarios on how to move forward."

The letters, 58 of the venue's 72 bronze letters spelling out "For the worship of God and service of man," were pried from the east and west entrances of the Unity Temple, 875 Lake St., sometime around Sept. 29, police said.

Three of the ornamental bronze squares surrounding the letters were also stolen.

Oak Park police estimated the loss at $80,000, but Roth said foundation officials "were not sure of the source" of that estimate.

"We don't know their replacement value," she said. "As for the original value, historically they're priceless."

Roth said the group is scrambling to figure out how to replace the mottos — either replacing them exactly as they were, with bronze, or considering other, less valuable sources.

"We don't yet know," she said.

The Unity Temple was designed by Wright in 1909. It was designated a national historic landmark in 1971 and has long been home to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation as well as concerts, educational programs and community lectures. 

The building is undergoing massive, $20-$25 million renovation, which will continue over three phases: restoring the building's exterior, installing a environmentally-friendly HVAC system and sprucing up the interior back to its original condition.

For all of the marvel the building inspires, the famed architect's signature style and precision may have aided in the heist.

"Wright deliberately designed the entrances to be set away from the street," Roth told the Sun-Times."It's fairly typical of Wright designs. You have to search for the entrance. . . Once you're on the [roof], you're shielded from the street. I'm not thrilled to tell people that."