The Loop District in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Second Church Building of First Methodist Church of Chicago
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 12, 2024
1. Second Church Building of First Methodist Church of Chicago Marker
1845
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the United Methodist Church Historic Sites series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1845.
Location. 41° 52.981′ N, 87° 37.825′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. It can be reached from Washington Street east of Clark Street, on the right when traveling east. The marker is on the eastern side of the Chicago Temple Building, beneath a stained-glass window depicting the second church building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 77 West Washington Street, Chicago IL 60602, 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: Founded by This Church (here, next to this marker); Founding of the Arthur Dixon Bible Class (here, next to this marker); The First Church Building of First Methodist Church of Chicago (here, next to this marker); Fourth Church Building of First Methodist Church of Chicago (here, next to this marker); Founding of the First Methodist Church (here, next to this marker); The Rev. Jesse Walker
this page online
Regarding Second Church Building of First Methodist Church of Chicago. According to a church history on its website, this 1845 brick structure replaced the log original and had a 148-foot-tall spire on top. It was replaced less than 15 years later when the church decided to take a bold step: creating a building that would house the church while also generating revenue by renting out the rest of its space. That new four-story building opened in 1858 with businesses on the two lower levels and church space on the upper levels. It burned down in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
Also see . . . History of the Chicago Temple.
Excerpt: "Four years later, Chicagos first Methodists floated the cabin across the river and rolled it on logs to its present site at the corner of Washington and Clark Streets. From there it has never moved. A conventional brick church with a 148-foot spire replaced the log cabin in 1845. That building served the church until(Submitted on December 13, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)1858 when the congregations leaders, acting on a bold new idea, dedicated a four-story, multi-use structure with stores and other businesses on the first two floors and church space for worship and classes on the top two floors."Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 12, 20242. Second Church Building of First Methodist Church of Chicago marker and stained-glass window
Alexander Hesler; courtesy of Chicago History Museum (ICHi-005734), circa 1858
3. Third church building under construction, 1858
In 1858, early Chicago photographer Alexander Hesler took a panoramic series of 11 photos of Chicago from atop the cupola of the Cook County Courthouse. In the foreground of this southeast-facing photo, the First Methodist Church of Chicago's third building (which replaced the second building referenced in this stained glass window) can be seen under construction, at the corner of Clark and Washington. Both the courthouse and the church were destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 12, 2024
4. Chicago Temple historical stained glass windows
10 stained glass windows offer a history of the Methodist church that has stood at this spot for almost 185 years.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 12, 2024
5. Chicago Temple stained glass
The window is one of 10 on the east side of the temple that depict the history of the First Methodist Church of Chicago. Daley Plaza and the Daley Center are across the street.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 13, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 409 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 13, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on December 16, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4, 5. submitted on December 13, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
