The Loop District in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Fourth Church Building of First Methodist Church of Chicago
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 12, 2024
1. Fourth Church Building of First Methodist Church of Chicago Marker
Erected 1873
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce • 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 1873.
Location. 41° 52.978′ N, 87° 37.826′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. It is on 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 fourth church at this site. 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); Second Church Building of First Methodist Church of Chicago (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); Founding of the First Methodist Church (a few steps from
this page online
More about this marker. The window is one of 10 on the eastern side of the Chicago Temple building depicting the history of the First Methodist Church of Chicago.
Regarding Fourth Church Building of First Methodist Church of Chicago. After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the congregation met in a temporary church building (which still stands on Chicago's North Side and is currently used as a mosque) while they erected a new structure at the same corner where they had held services since 1878. Like the pre-Fire building as well as its successor building currently on site, this fourth church structure blended religion with commerce. The bottom two floors were rented out to businesses, while the third and fourth floors were used by the church. After World War I, the church replaced this building with a much grander skyscraper the Chicago Temple, which still stands 100 years later, and is honored with another stained-glass
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 12, 2024
2. Fourth Church Building of First Methodist Church of Chicago marker and stained-glass window
Also see . . . Chicago Temple History. (Submitted on December 13, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 12, 2024
3. 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
4. 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.
Courtesy of Chicago History Museum (ICHi-019985), circa 1900
5. The fourth church building
The first and second stories were rented out to businesses; the upper floors were for the church.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 13, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 404 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 13, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
