Fourth Presbyterian Church (Chicago) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago
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Fourth Presbyterian Church front facade facing Michigan Avenue, Chicago
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| Location | 126 East Chestnut Street Chicago, Illinois |
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| Built | 1912 |
| Architect | Ralph Adams Cram, Howard Van Doren Shaw |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000648 |
| Added to NRHP | September 5, 1975 |
The Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago is a very large church in Chicago, Illinois. It's part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and is located on the famous Magnificent Mile. You can find it right across Michigan Avenue from the tall John Hancock Center building.
Contents
History of the Church Building
The Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago was created on February 12, 1871. This happened when two other churches, Westminster Presbyterian Church and North Presbyterian Church, joined together.
Early Buildings and the Great Fire
The new church group built their first church building. They opened it on Sunday, October 8, 1871. Sadly, the Great Chicago Fire started later that very day. The fire destroyed their brand new church building.
After this, the church built a second building. It was located at the corner of Rush Street and Superior Street. This new building was opened in February 1874.
Building the Current Church
After almost 40 years in their second location, the church decided to build again. In 1912, they started building a new church on Pine Street. This area is now known as North Michigan Avenue. Back then, it was not as developed as it is today.
The church hired a famous architect named Ralph Adams Cram. He designed the church in the Gothic Revival style. This means it looks like old European cathedrals. The building is made of cut limestone. Cram also designed the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. He worked on both churches at the same time in 1912.
Only the Fourth Presbyterian Church was finished. It was officially opened in 1914. The Cathedral of St. John the Divine is still not fully finished even today.
Designers of the Church Campus
Ralph Adams Cram designed the main church building. However, other parts of the church campus were designed by Howard Van Doren Shaw. These parts include the parish house, cloister, manse, and garth. They are located to the south along Michigan Avenue.
The church building is the oldest structure on North Michigan Avenue. The only older building is the Chicago Water Tower. The Fourth Presbyterian Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical site.
Church Size and Features
The Fourth Presbyterian Church is one of the largest Presbyterian churches in the United States. In 2013, it had 5,540 members. This made it the second-largest Presbyterian church in the country.
The Church Organ
In 2015, a very large pipe organ was installed at the church. It was built by Quimby Pipe Organs. This amazing instrument has five keyboards, 143 ranks (sets of pipes), and 8,343 pipes! It is the biggest organ in the midwestern United States.
Church Leaders
Many important pastors have led the Fourth Presbyterian Church.
Pastors Through the Years
- Rev. M. Woolsey Stryker was a pastor from 1885 to 1892. He was known for writing many hymns. He later became the President of Hamilton College.
- Reverend John Buchanan was the senior pastor for 25 years. He retired on January 31, 2012.
- In March 2014, the church members voted for the Reverend Shannon Johnson Kershner. She became the new pastor on May 1, 2014.
