Visit the Fireplace
Introduction
Hospitality is a central part of our mission. We hope you’ll come for a stay, a meal, or an event soon! Email thefireplacecommunity@gmail.com or call (773) 966-4110 with any questions.
If you would like to stay at the Fireplace for up to two weeks, please fill out our visit interest form. Please inquire early to ensure that we have space available. Submitting this form does not guarantee that we will be able to accommodate your request. We will contact you to confirm whether or not we are able to host you.
If you would like to host an event (such as a workshop, concert, meeting, group retreat, or prayer service) at the Fireplace, please reach out to thefireplacecommunity@gmail.com.
This page includes more details about short-term stays, community dinners, accessibility, and residence.
Stay at the Fireplace
The Fireplace welcomes short-term guests who are seeking…
A place of respite: Come for a self-guided retreat in our home.
A place for creation: Visual artists, writers, musicians, and all sorts of creatives may come for informal residencies.
A community connection: Spend time with us to experience life in an intentional community.
A place to stay: People in town for trainings, conferences, political actions, or similar activities may stay with us while visiting Chicago.
Religious Renewal Residencies: This option is for clergy in any denomination/tradition, vowed religious, affiliates/associates of religious congregations, and lay religious leaders.
The Fireplace invites donations of $40-$60 per night, which includes a room and all meals (prepared on your own). We also welcome in-kind contributions, such as labor, cooking, needed household items, or hosting an event.
A stay in our house includes a private bedroom, a shared bathroom, clean linens, and access to our communal kitchen and food. You will also have access to our library, chapel, living room, yard, dining room, and laundry room. There is WiFi throughout the house. Our community has shared dinners and prayer twice a week, and you are welcome (though not required) to join us.
Short-term guests may stay at the Fireplace for up to two weeks. People interested in a longer stay at the Fireplace must complete our full resident application process.
Community dinners
Local friends often join us for twice-weekly community dinner and prayer. If you would like to come by, send us an email!
Accessibility
As a community that values inclusion, we strive to increase accessibility. Currently, however, our community is not fully accessible.
All house entrances and bedrooms require the use of stairs.
As we have an emotional support cat in our home, the Fireplace may not be accessible to people with severe cat allergies.
There are severe food allergies in the house, including inhalant allergies. A sign in the kitchen provides details about what food cannot be prepared in our space.
We strive to accommodate dietary needs and preferences. All of our shared meals are vegetarian-friendly; please inquire in advance about other dietary needs.
The Fireplace asks that visitors follow the recommendations of the CDC to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The Fireplace can be reached via public transportation. There is a bus stop on the corner, with connections to the Red Line, Green Line, and Metra/South Shore Line trains.
The Fireplace has a driveway and free street parking is readily available nearby.
Residents
Residents of the Fireplace pay a minimum of $750 per month for room, board, and utilities. They commit to our mission and community and participate in house meetings, gatherings, and labor.
The Fireplace is not currently reviewing applications to join our residential community (i.e. move in full-time). When this changes, we will share an announcement through our news page, social media, and email newsletter. People interested in living with us are also welcome to send a letter of interest to thefireplacecommunity@gmail.com; we keep names of prospective applicants on file and may directly reach out when we reopen applications.