“Plans are in motion for a $1.2 million grant to support the restoration of the landmark Greenstone United Methodist Church’s 92-foot bell tower.

“Following unanimous approval of the grant by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks on May 8, supporters of the Pullman church are now looking to City Council to approve funding they say is imperative to preserving the structure.

“Greenstone pastor Luther Mason is hopeful the city will greenlight the funds for the rebuild in June, but he’s not ready to celebrate just yet. This will be the second time in five years the city has attempted to finance repairs for the 143-year-old church at 11211 S. St. Lawrence Ave.

“‘It’s critical; it’s real critical,’ Mason said. ‘To get that money and to get this project started before cold weather, Lord willing, that means a lot. Because then we can go into the winter … knowing that, come spring, there will be a new facade on’ the bell tower.

“In 2021, a similar grant under the city’s Adopt-a-Landmark program that was tentatively earmarked for Greenstone’s bell tower rehab went before City Council. But Pullman Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) and Ald. Ray Lopez (15th) used a parliamentary procedure to indefinitely table City Council approval of the funds, the Sun-Times reported in August. Since then, the money has sat untouched and the bell tower unrepaired.

“Beale said he will not stand in the way of funding when the grant comes up for aldermanic approval this time, WBEZ reported. ‘It’s a great day in the 9th Ward,’ he told WBEZ after the landmark commission’s decision. ‘Now we can stabilize the building and hopefully turn the building around.’

“Beale was unavailable for comment for this story, his office said Friday. The City Council’s next meeting is Wednesday.

“Built in 1882 by American industrialist George Pullman, Greenstone Church originated as an interdenominational place of worship for residents of Pullman, then a pioneering company town. In 1906, it was sold to the Methodist Church, which owns and operates it today, Mason said.

“The church, with its ornate windows and characteristic serpentine exterior, is a landmark of the Pullman National Historical Park. The elements have taken their toll over the years, Mason said.

The church only recently recovered after enduring two winters without heat to the building. After Greenstone struggled to keep up with its utility bills, the gas was shut off in fall 2023. In March, community members rallied and organized a GoFundMe to restore service and help repair the church’s furnace, exceeding their $21,000 fundraising goal by $50. (Oberst, Block Club Chicago, 5/20/25)

Read the full story at Block Club Chicago

• Pullman’s Landmark Greenstone Church Awaits City Funding To Repair Bell Tower; The Commission on Chicago Landmarks approved a $1.2 million grant for restoration of the bell tower. The vast majority of the 143-year-old church needs repairs, church leaders said, Hunter Oberst, Block Club Chicago, 5/20/25
• Pullman Neighbors Rally To Help Landmark Greenstone Church As Utility Bills Pile Up; The Historic Pullman Foundation has launched a GoFundMe to raise money to help the 143-year-old church pay its utility bills and make needed repairs, Hunter Oberst, Block Club Chicago, 3/25/25
• Pullman community steps on the gas to reopen historic Greenstone Church, Janice Neumann, Daily Southtown, 4/14/25
• St. Thomas More Catholic church closing on SW Side; money raised for Greenstone Church in Pullman, Sarah Schulte, ABC 7 Chicago, 4/18/25
• Community effort to help historic Greenstone Church in Pullman, Michelle Gallardo, ABC7 Chicago, 4/13/25
• Preserve Pullman’s Legacy: Help Greenstone Church GoFundMe Campaign
• Landmark Pullman church sits after $1 million city repair grant was sent to aldermanic purgatory; Ald. Anthony Beale and Ald. Ray Lopez tabled approval to fix Greenstone Church’s aged bell tower. It’s time to release the funds, Lee Bey, Chicago Sun-Times, 8/2/24
• Greenstone Church (Greenstone United Methodist Church) Pullman National Historical Park