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Stone Temple Baptist Church

First Roumanian Congregation

Address

3622 W. Douglas Blvd.

Neighborhood

Garfield Park / North Lawndale

Hours

Sat, Oct 14: 10am - 4pm

Sun, Oct 15: 1pm - 5pm

Photography Permitted Washrooms Available

Architect/Year

J.W. Cohn & Co., 1926

Description

This imposing building was built as a synagogue for Jewish immigrants from Romania. It was purchased less than 30 years later by an African American congregation under the leadership of Reverend J.M. Stone. As early as 1959, Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke regularly at the church, and it was one of his key bases of support during the challenging 1966 Chicago Freedom Movement.

The light-filled sanctuary with Star of David motif has been carefully maintained and preserved by the church, which successfully sought Chicago Landmark designation in 2016. The newly remodeled communal kitchen at the rear of the building will be a location for community gatherings, festivities and food preparation for Stone Temple's weekly "Soup for the Soul" cooked and fresh food distribution.

Visitor Experience

Visitors will be able to see the chairs and podium Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. used when he spoke at the church in 1966.