Pilgrim Baptist Church facts for kids
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Kehilath Anshe Ma'ariv Synagogue
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Pilgrim Baptist Church, June 1964.
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| Location | Chicago, Illinois |
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| Built | 1890 |
| Architect | Adler & Sullivan |
| Architectural style | Chicago |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000696 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 26, 1973 |
Pilgrim Baptist Church is a very important historic building in Chicago, Illinois. It's known for its amazing architecture and its big role in American culture. This special church is located in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago.
The building was first built as a synagogue, which is a Jewish place of worship. Later, it became Pilgrim Baptist Church. In 2017, the church building was sold to the National Museum of Gospel Music.
Contents
The Building's Story
From Synagogue to Church
The building was designed by famous Chicago architects Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler. It was built between 1890 and 1891. At first, it was home to a Jewish congregation called Kehilath Anshe Ma'ariv. This group was very important in developing Reform Judaism. Adler, one of the architects, was even a member of this congregation.
In 1922, a Baptist group moved into the building. They formed the Pilgrim Baptist Church.
A Home for Gospel Music
Pilgrim Baptist Church is often called the "birthplace of gospel music". This exciting music style started here in the 1930s. Thomas A. Dorsey, known as the "Father of Gospel Music," was the music director at the church for many years.
Lots of famous singers have performed at the church. These include Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Albertina Walker, and The Staples Singers.
Important People and Events
Many well-known people were part of the Pilgrim Baptist Church community. One famous member was Bessie Coleman, the first African American woman to become a pilot.
The church also hosted the funeral of boxing legend Jack Johnson in 1946. It played a big part in the Civil Rights Movement, which fought for equal rights. Martin Luther King Jr. even gave speeches at the church during this time.
Recognized as a Landmark
Because of its history, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. It was also named a Chicago Landmark in 1981. The church once had beautiful murals painted by William E. Scott in the 1930s. The pastor, Junius C. Austin, hired both Scott and Thomas A. Dorsey. This helped the church become one of the largest in the country.
The Fire of 2006
On January 6, 2006, a big fire broke out at the church. It destroyed most of the inside of the building. Investigators believe the fire started by accident. Workers were doing repairs on the roof and using a blowtorch.
The fire sadly burned many historical records. It also destroyed boxes of original sheet music by Thomas A. Dorsey. The heat from the fire was so strong that it broke windows in a nearby college. Cars parked next to the church were also badly damaged.
After the fire, the strong brick and stone outer walls were still standing. Engineers said they were safe. A steel frame was later added to support the walls. This was done to prepare for a possible future rebuilding of the church's inside.
Today, the church congregation meets in a building across the street.
Plans for Rebuilding
After the fire, the church community decided to rebuild Pilgrim Baptist Church. They want to reconstruct it on the same spot. There are enough old plans and photos to help them rebuild it accurately. They will also make some changes for modern needs.
The goal is to rebuild the church to look like it did in the 1920s–1930s. This was when Pilgrim Baptist Church was most active. It was also the time when gospel music became famous there. The outside of the building will look like its original design. The inside will also be rebuilt to look similar, but with updates for today's use.
In August 2020, a big storm called a derecho caused some damage. However, this damage is not expected to stop the rebuilding plans.
See also
- Chicago architecture
