Near West Side in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Greater Union Baptist Church
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 6, 2024
1. Greater Union Baptist Church Marker
Purchased this building 1928, by the late Rev. James A. Royal
Rededicated 1951
Erected by Greater Union Baptist Church.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1908.
Location. 41° 52.942′ N, 87° 40.589′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in the Near West Side. It is at the intersection of Warren Boulevard and Damen Avenue on Warren Boulevard. The engraved stone is embedded into the building, to the left of its Warren Boulevard entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1956 West Warren Boulevard, Chicago IL 60612, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Greater Union Baptist Church (here, next to this marker); Stanislav "Stan" Mikita (approx. 0.2 miles away); Robert Marvin "Bobby" Hull (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Bland House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Wieboldt's Department Store (approx. half a mile away); The Mary Thompson Hospital for Women and Children
this page online
More about this marker. The building received Chicago Landmark status from the City of Chicago in 2023, and a new official city marker denoting that status was erected on the building sometime in the last two months of 2024.
Regarding Greater Union Baptist Church. The building was designed by William Le Baron Jenney, known as the "Father of the Skyscraper," and it originally was home to the Church of the Redeemer, a Unitarian congregation. The first service held here was on Easter Sunday 1886; the original congregation is believed to have stopped holding services here around 1920.
Greater Union Baptist Church was established in 1908 and, according to the building's Chicago Landmark Designation Report, spent its first 20 years worshipping in more than 10 different locations before acquiring this church building in 1928. The church's growth corresponded with the Great Migration, which saw an influx of African Americans move to Chicago in the early 20th century, with many settling in this part of the city
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 6, 2024
2. Greater Union Baptist Church
Also see . . .
1. Chicago Landmark Report: Greater Union Baptist Church.
Excerpt: "Aside from its architecture, Greater Union Baptist Church exemplifies the important role that religious institutions played in the development and sustenance of Chicagos neighborhoods. It was built in 1886 by a Universalist congregation named Church of the Redeemer. In addition to worship services, the Church of the Redeemer hosted events and lectures that reflected Progressive Era concerns, including establishing a series of weekly lectures known as the West Side Peoples Forum, part of a national campaign known as the Open Forum Movement which created places for people to discuss real world problems and possible solutions. In 1928, the building was bought by an established Black Baptist congregation and rechristened as the Greater Union Baptist which has maintained the building as a place for worship and(Submitted on November 6, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)vital community sustenance for nearly a century.Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 6, 20243. Greater Union Baptist ChurchThe United Center is just a block south of the church.
2. Final landmark approved for Greater Union Baptist Church.
Excerpt from Urbanize Chicago: "Over its 136-year history, the church has endured economic disinvestment in its community and the dramatic change to the neighborhood due to the construction of the United Center and its associated parking lots. With credit due to its congregation, the church is a rare survivor of dire economic issues in the area."(Submitted on November 6, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
3. Greater Union Baptist Church official site. (Submitted on January 6, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
4. Could United Center redevelopment effort help a church designed by the 'father of the skyscraper'?. From the Chicago Sun-Times.
Except: Greater Union has been closed for services since 2022, due to a faulty HVAC system. Gas service to the building is also shut off because of an unpaid $14,000 gas bill. Built for a congregation of 600, the church has about 40 members now, said the Rev. Walter Arthur McCray, Greater Unions pastor.(Submitted on May 5, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
The Universalist, courtesy of Harvard Divinity School Library (via the City of Chicago), circa 1886
4. Church of the Redeemer
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, January 3, 2025
5. Chicago Landmark plaque: Greater Union Baptist Church
A Chicago Landmark plaque was placed at the church sometime in late 2024. See its listing page for more information.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 380 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 6, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 5. submitted on January 4, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
