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Pilgrim Baptist Church

Kehilath Anshe Ma'ariv Synagogue
Pilgrim Baptist HABS ILL-1054.jpg
Pilgrim Baptist Church, June 1964.
Location Chicago, Illinois
Coordinates 41°50′3.97″N 87°37′20.01″W / 41.8344361°N 87.6222250°W / 41.8344361; -87.6222250Coordinates: 41°50′3.97″N 87°37′20.01″W / 41.8344361°N 87.6222250°W / 41.8344361; -87.6222250
Built 1890
Architect Adler & Sullivan
Architectural style Chicago
NRHP Reference # 73000696
Significant dates
Added to NRHP April 26, 1973
Designated CL December 18, 1981

Pilgrim Baptist Church is a historic church located on the south side of Chicago, Illinois, USA. The landmarked building was originally constructed for a synagogue, K.A.M. Isaiah Israel Temple. The church is notable both as an architectural landmark and for the cultural contributions by the congregation of the church. Located at 3301 S. Indiana Ave, the church is in the heart of Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood.

The building was designed as a synagogue by Chicago architects Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler, and built in 1890 and 1891. Originally, the structure was the home of Kehilath Anshe Ma'ariv [1], an important congregation in the development of Reform Judaism; Adler was a member, and his father was a rabbi. That congregation continues as K.A.M. Isaiah Israel Temple.

A Baptist congregation moved into the building in 1922, forming Pilgrim Baptist Church.

The church is credited as the birthplace of gospel music in the 1930s. Thomas A. Dorsey, the "Father of Gospel Music", was the music director at Pilgrim Baptist for decades. Albertina Walker, Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Sallie Martin, James Cleveland, The Staples Singers, and The Edwin Hawkins Singers are among those who have sung at the church.

Famous members of the congregation include Bessie Coleman. The church also hosted the funeral service of boxer Jack Johnson in 1946, and was prominent in the Civil Rights Movement. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered sermons at the church during the height of the movement.


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