Near South Side in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Quinn Chapel
— Chicago Landmark —
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 6, 2021
1. Quinn Chapel Marker
Quinn Chapel
1892
This church houses the oldest black congregation in Chicago, tracing its origins back to 1844. Members of the congregation have played a significant role tn the development of the city since that time. The church is a reminder of the late nineteenth century character of the area.
Designated a Chicago Landmark on August 31, 1977 by the City Council of Chicago.
Michael A. Bilandic, Mayor
Erected by Commission on Chicago Historical and Architectural Landmarks.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 31, 1977.
Location. 41° 50.949′ N, 87° 37.518′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in the Near South Side. Marker is at the intersection of South Wabash Avenue and East 24th Street, on the right when traveling south on South Wabash Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2401 South Wabash 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. White Castle #16 (approx. ¼ mile away); Chess Records Recording Studio (approx. 0.3 miles away); South Michigan Avenue Motor Row
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church, 2401 South Wabash Avenue... (Historic American Buildings Survey).
Statement of Significance: "Designated a Chicago Landmark in 1977 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, the Quinn Chapel houses the oldest African American congregation in Chicago. The Quinn congregation traces its origins back to 1844, when it began as a seven member prayer group. In 1847, the group became officially organized as the Quinn congregation of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, named for William P. Quinn, a prominent bishop of the AME midwest diocese, the congregation met in numerous locations before building its present location. An active advocate of social service and(Submitted on December 31, 2021.)reform, the Quinn congregation served as a station on the Underground Railroad and supported the abolition movement. Members of the congregation were also instrumental in founding such institutions as Provident Hospital, The Elam House, and The Wabash Avenue YMCA. Internationally known luminaries including Frederick Douglass and Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., and presidents William B. McKinley and William Howard Taft spoke at the Quinn Chapel. The brick and rusticated stone church was designed in 1891 by Henry F. Starbuck."Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 6, 20212. Quinn Chapel Marker - wide view
2. History (Quinn Chapel AME Church).
"Quinn Chapel is rich in history. Prior to the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation, Quinn played an important part in the abolition movement in Chicago and served as a station for the Underground Railroad. Quinn was also instrumental in founding Bethel A.M.E. Church, Chicago Provident hospital, and Elam House. Presidents William B. McKinley and William Howard Taft, educators George Washington Carver and Booker T. Washington, poet and literary genius Paul Lawrence Dunbar and three of the most gifted preachers of this century: Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr., Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rev. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. are among the many nationally renowned individuals to address the congregation(Submitted on December 31, 2021.)from Quinn’s pulpit. In recent years, Govenor Rod Blagojevich, Mayor Richard M. Daley, Congressmen Danny K. Davis, Bobby Rush, Jesse Jackson, Jr., Governor Pat Quinn and Senator Barack Obama have stood in Quinn Chapel’s pulpit. Milton Olive III, posthumous recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor and for whom Olive-Harvey College is named, was a member and a regular attendee of services at Quinn Chapel."Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 6, 20213. Quinn Chapel and Marker
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 6, 2021
4. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial plaque
On the west face (i.e. South Wabash side) of the church, roughly 12-15 feet above the ground is a memorial plaque for Martin Luther King, Jr., who spoke at the church several times.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 255 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 31, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
