Near West Side in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Greater Union Baptist Church

William Le Baron Jenney, architect; 1886

— Chicago Landmark —

Greater Union Baptist Church Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, January 3, 2025

1. Greater Union Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. A congregation named Church of the Redeemer commissioned nationally significant architect William Le Baron Jenney to design this monumental church in 1886. In addition to worship services, the Church of the Redeemer hosted lectures that reflected Progressive Era concerns such as women's right-to-vote, the welfare of children, and the racial "color line."

In 1928, an established Black Baptist congregation bought and rechristened the edifice as Greater Union Baptist Church, and has maintained the building for Christ-centered worship and vital community sustenance on the Near West Side - all to the glory of God.

Designated April 19, 2023
Lori E. Lightfoot, Mayor

Erected 2024 by Commission on Chicago Landmarks; City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Religion & Religious Structures • Women. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission, and the Unitarian Universalism (UUism) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.

Location. 41° 52.942′ N, 87° 40.584′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in the Near West Side. It is at the intersection of

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Warren Boulevard and Damen Avenue, on the left when traveling east on Warren Boulevard. The marker is to the right of the doorway. 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. half a mile away); Wieboldt's Department Store (approx. half a mile away); The Mary Thompson Hospital for Women and Children (approx. half a mile away); James Connolly (approx. half a mile away); Union Park (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. The city designated the church a landmark in the spring of 2023; this marker was added sometime in the last two months of 2024.

While the historical information matches what is in the city’s official landmark designation report, the overtly religious text suggests that the church itself may have, at the least, assisted in writing it. The marker is also unique in that there are two paragraphs—most if not all other Chicago Landmark plaques are confined to just one paragraph.

Regarding Greater Union Baptist Church.

Greater Union Baptist Church and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, January 3, 2025

2. Greater Union Baptist Church and Marker

William Le Baron Jenney is known as the "Father of the Skyscraper," having designed the 1885 Home Insurance Building, which is considered one of the world's first skyscrapers. While that building in Chicago’s Loop was demolished in 1931, many of his prominent works can still be found around Chicagoland, including the Leiter II building at State St. and Ida B. Wells Dr., the Ludington Building on South Wabash, and the water tower in suburban Riverside.

Jenney designed this Near West Side building for Church of the Redeemer, a Unitarian congregation that held its first service here 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 from the south to Chicago in the early 20th century, with many settling in this part of the city west of downtown. There were at least

Greater Union Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 6, 2024

3. Greater Union Baptist Church

The United Center is just a block south of the church.

30 predominantly Black churches on the Near West Side when Greater Union moved into this church; Greater Union is the only congregation still active in this neighborhood today. It remains a prominent island of sorts amid a sea of parking lots near the United Center, the city's primary basketball and hockey arena. A new Damen Avenue CTA "L" station is about two blocks north of here.

Also see . . .
1. Chicago Landmark Designation Report: Greater Union Baptist Church. The 2023 landmark designation report includes an extensive oral history of Greater Union Baptist Church. (Submitted on January 4, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Chicago Architecture Center: William Le Baron Jenney. (Submitted on January 4, 2025, 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.)

Church of the Redeemer image. Click for full size.

The Universalist, courtesy of Harvard Divinity School Library (via the City of Chicago), circa 1886

4. Church of the Redeemer

William Le Baron Jenney (1832-1907) image. Click for full size.

Carl S. Smith Collection; Courtesy of Northwestern University Libraries

5. William Le Baron Jenney (1832-1907)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 4, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 201 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 4, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3, 4. submitted on November 6, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 5. submitted on January 6, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.