Near South Side in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Second Presbyterian Church
James Renwick, Architect, 1874
— American Presbyterian and Reformed Historical Site —
When this neo-Gothic church was designed by a prominent New York architect, the surrounding streets, including Prairie Avenue one block east, were lined with the homes of wealthy Chicagoans. The fine interior decorations recall the congregation that built and, after a fire, rebuilt the church.
Erected by Commission on Chicago Historical and Architectural Landmarks. (Marker Number 8.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the American Presbyterian and Reformed Historic Sites, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.
Location. 41° 51.346′ N, 87° 37.444′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in the Near South Side. Marker is at the intersection of South Michigan Avenue and East Cullerton Street on South Michigan Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1936 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago IL 60616, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Henry B. Clarke House (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Chess Records Office and Studio (about 800 feet away); Chess Records Recording Studio (approx. 0.2 miles away); South Michigan Avenue Motor Row (approx. 0.2 miles away); Visionary (approx. 0.2 miles away); John J. Glessner House (approx. 0.2 miles away); White Castle #16 (approx. ¼ mile away); George Pullman (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.
Regarding Second Presbyterian Church. The Second Presbyterian Church was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. National Historic Landmark status was conferred upon the church by the U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Park Service on February 27, 2013. It is the only church in the city of Chicago and one of only three in the state of Illinois to be so designated. This church is also one of 445 American Presbyterian and Reformed Historical Sites registered between 1973 and 2003 by the Presbyterian Historical Society (PHS), headquartered in Philadelphia. Approved sites received a metal plaque featuring John Calvin’s seal and the site’s registry number (PHS marker location unknown).
The following text is taken from the Presbyterian Historical Society website:
Built in 1872 in Chicago's Gold Coast, Second Church now is the city's oldest Presbyterian building. Meeting originally in the "Saloon Building" in 1842, Second Church erected its first building the same year. Its second building, dedicated in 1851, may have been the first Gothic edifice west of New York. That structure was destroyed in the great Chicago fire of 1871. The present building was designed by James Renwick.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2013. This page has been viewed 589 times since then and 5 times this year. Last updated on August 15, 2018. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 21, 2013. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.