“We just need to save this building”

Published 12:43 pm Friday, June 26, 2026

WARSAW, Ill. — In the second-floor ballroom of Warsaw’s Saenger Halle, wires that once supported a drop ceiling hang limp.

A wall chops off part of the space, and boards block four of the large historic windows.

But Cass Grunewald sees only the possibilities.

“I see the perfect space for a bridal shower or a small wedding reception, a family reunion. Even small shows, like a one-man band, I can envision that occurring here,” she said. “I can see people along both edges of the room, a dance floor in the middle, a bride and groom having their first dance surrounded by their family and friends.”

Grunewald’s not alone.

She’s part of On Point Revival, a nonprofit partnership of 11 Warsaw residents who bought the building with plans to restore a piece of the past.

A recently-announced $5,000 grant from Landmarks Illinois — part of $27,100 awarded to support vital stabilization and planning efforts at sites in six communities statewide — helps to repay a loan used to make emergency repairs to the building’s roof, and while there’s plenty more to be done, “we’re headed in the right direction,” Grunewald said.

“Everybody’s that involved in this, their hearts are in the right place. We just need to save this building. It’s time somebody does something with it before it turns into one of those buildings on Main Street that’s just falling in the basement.”

The partners bought the building more than a year ago with plans either to lease the space and use the payments to invest in another project or sell the building to a business or organization for use as a community center or event space.

It’s the next chapter for the 1872 structure built by the Saenger Choir, a German men’s singing group that practiced and performed in the space. More recently, Saenger Choir membership allowed men “to come up and play cards on Sunday morning before the bars were open,” Grunewald said. “I’ve heard stories of people sharing that ‘my grandpa went to church there every Sunday morning.’”

Various organizations and businesses used the space over the decades from the Masons and church groups to the most recent consignment store tenant. Almost 10 years ago, Grunewald and the late Molly Hurley-Weyrick used the space as an artist’s studio and market, spurring her love for the building.

“It just hides in the shadows of our historic downtown,” Grunewald said.

The city’s historic Main Street draws most of the attention rather than the hall located one block off of Main behind the gas station, but its spaces, especially the ballroom and its balcony, are “pretty spectacular,” Grunewald said.

Potential commercial space on the first floor needs electrical and plumbing updates along with new windows that still honor the appearance of the originals. The ballroom’s plaster ceiling needs to be repaired, or replaced, the floor needs to be refinished and the space needs new windows.

The partners expect the updates, including exterior tuckpointing, to cost at least $128,000, and they’re looking at grants, fundraisers and donations to help cover the cost.

“We’ve been chipping away,” Grunewald said.

Proceeds from sales of the Saenger Halle candle at Grunewald’s RePete Candle and Coffee Bar support the project, which also is listed on givebutter.com.

“There’s still a generation of people within the community that remember coming up to a Saenger Halle square dance with their sweetheart on Saturday night to listen to the band. They have such positive, happy memories of that space,” she said.

“It warms my heart to think we’re playing a part in restoring that and giving other people an opportunity to enjoy the space the same way.”