Rebuilding Pilgrim

Mission: Reaching the Un-Loved, Un-Taught & Un-Churched

A Fire in January 2006 destroyed the landmark building which housed Pilgrim Baptist Church. The site originally built for Chicago’s oldest Jewish congregation has been the home of Pilgrim Baptist Church since 1922.
There is a great interest in rebuilding the home of Pilgrim. The building was a fine example of the work of renowned architects, Adler and Sullivan. The building was photographed and studied providing documentation that will be helpful as we rebuild. The congregation of Pilgrim Baptist Church is committed to a faithful rebuilding of the edifice, and a continuation of a history of service.
The following outlines a few of our major accomplishments to date:

• We created a rebuilding fund for those who wish to help us financially in our rebuilding effort. We would like to thank all of those individuals who have given to the rebuilding effort.
  
• We retained the historic preservation team of Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Incorporated to lead the removal of debris and bracing of the exterior walls. We are encouraged to know that the main exterior walls remain in tact. As a result, we will be able to build the church from within without sacrificing a critical element of the architecture.
  
• We established a Building Vision Committee to carry out the vision of the church. We have met as a church body to give all the members an opportunity to provide feedback that the committee will use to communicate with the architects.
  
• We retained the firm of Johnson & Lee Architects/Planners to head up the rebuilding design. Located in Chicago, the firm brings several years of experience. They will be working with Quinn Evans of Ann Arbor, Michigan, a leading architecture firm that has experience in preservation as well as merging old and new designs.
  
• We created a 501(c)(3) corporation to handle our rebuilding efforts
  
• We have several foundations and stakeholders partnering with us in our rebuilding efforts including the Honorable Richard M. Daley the Mayor of Chicago.
  
• We have met with other church leaders who have shared their own new construction experiences and feedback.