A resident of West Chicago found himself in the hands of the law, facing accusations of defacing the iconic “Faith, Hope and Charity” Freemasons’ mural in the heart of downtown Naperville. The individual, identified as 43-year-old Carlos Marcos, has been slapped with a misdemeanor charge for criminal defacement of property. The alleged act of vandalism, involving the application of black and red spots on the mural, reportedly occurred around 11:15 p.m. on a Monday night.
The mural, located at the intersection of Main Street and Jackson Avenue, became the subject of public attention following the incident. The Naperville Masonic Temple Association, the organization closely associated with the mural, expressed their sentiments on the matter. Don Cowart, the president of the association, conveyed his sympathy for Marcos, extending an offer of assistance from his group.
Cowart expressed, “There must be some underlying issues, and we hope he receives the necessary attention for them. If there’s anything we can do to help him, we would be more than willing to do so.” The reasons behind Marcos’ alleged act of defacement remain unclear.
The mural in question holds significant historical value for the city of Naperville. Painted in 2011 by artist Marianne Lisson Kuhn, the mural serves as a tribute to the 174-year legacy of Freemasons in Naperville. It portrays George Washington and Naperville’s founder, Joseph Naper, adorned in Masonic aprons, alongside 24 other masons from Naperville and across the country.
The mural was a project commissioned by the Naperville Century Walk and was sponsored by the Euclid Masonic Lodge 65, the oldest Masonic Lodge in DuPage County, and a lodge that counts Joseph Naper among its founding members.
In the aftermath of the incident, Cowart has initiated contact with Lisson Kuhn, hinting at preliminary plans to restore the mural. He praised the mural, stating, “It’s a beautiful piece of artwork, and we were very fortunate to have her interest in doing it. We’ll ensure that it is restored to its original glory as a monument.”
Source: nctv17
