Austin in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Reverend Doctor Shelvin Jerome Hall
May 3, 1916-May 21, 2007
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 18, 2024
1. The Reverend Doctor Shelvin Jerome Hall Marker
Builder of this "African Hut" inspired church edifice - 1983
Married to First Lady Mrs. Lucy Mae Lewis Hall for 62 years - 1944-2007
President, Baptist General State Convention of Illinois 1990-1996
Chairman of the Board, Community Bank of Lawndale, 1986-1989
Dean, Baptist General State Congress of Illinois -25 years
Dean, General Division, National Baptist Convention U.S.A. Inc.
As President of both the West Side Federation and the West Side Baptist Ministers' Conference, Pastor Hall walked in the Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March in 1965 and then brought Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to the Westside. Rev. Hall courageously allowed Dr. King to speak from the Friendship pulpit three times, July 1965, 1966, and June 26, 1967, when most other churches would not because Dr. King was in disfavor with City Hall. Pastor Hall was a stalwart of the Civil Rights movement.
Beloved pastor, devoted husband, loving father, respected religious and community leader
Dedicated this 5th day of September 2009, Reverend Reginald E. Bachus, Pastor
Erected 2009 by Friendship Baptist Church.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the
this page online
Location. 41° 52.618′ N, 87° 45.311′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Austin. It is at the intersection of Laramie Avenue and Jackson Boulevard, on the right when traveling south on Laramie Avenue. The marker is near the Laramie Avenue entrance to the church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5200 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago IL 60644, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Chicago’s West Side. It is also in the American Midwest. Globally, it is in North America, on the Great Lakes, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in 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 one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Columbus Park (approx. half a mile away); Joseph Jacob Walser House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Jens Jensen (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Columbus Park (approx. 0.7 miles away); American Elm (Memorial to George Washington) (approx. ¾ mile away); Reverend Jesse Taylor (approx. 0.9 miles away); Shrine of Our Lady of Fréchou (approx.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 18, 2024
2. Friendship Baptist Church
Also see . . .
1. Reverend Dr. Shelvin Jerome Hall. A bio from the HistoryMakers website. (Submitted on November 18, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. History of Friendship Baptist Church. (Submitted on November 18, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 273 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 18, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
