Pilgrim Baptist Church

Pilgrim Baptist Church is a Protestant church building in Bronzeville designed by architects Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler in 1890. The structure features brick and stone walls with large windows and relies on a steel framework for support.

The building was originally constructed in 1890 as Kehilath Anshe Ma'ariv Synagogue for the Jewish community. It was converted to Pilgrim Baptist Church in 1922 and later added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

This church became a gathering place where gospel music flourished and people gathered for civil rights meetings. It represents a space where community members expressed their faith and worked toward social change.

The building's exterior can be viewed from the street, though regular public access inside is limited. Visitors can appreciate the architectural design from outside and understand the structure's historical importance from this vantage point.

Artist William E. Scott created a series of murals inside the church between 1936 and 1937 that remained largely hidden for decades. These artworks reflect the creative energy of the period and add an artistic dimension beyond the building's religious purpose.

Location: Chicago

GPS coordinates: 41.83444,-87.62223

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:52