“Hyde Park Union Church has been awarded a $163,838 city grant to repair its 100-year-old roof, part of the latest round of Adopt-A-Landmark funding announced in January.

“Awarded by the Department of Development, the grant will cover most of a $175,000 project to repair and update the low-slope roof over the church’s education wing, 5600 S. Woodlawn Ave., which was added on in 1926. Church leaders say the work is a big step in a broader effort to preserve the landmarked building and expand its role as a hub for food access and community services.

“‘The building was built for a different congregation during a different time,’ said Edward Cook, the church’s board chair. ‘But what does this space look like moving forward?’

“The church, a Richardsonian Romanesque building designed by architect James Gamble Rogers and completed in 1906, was designated a Chicago landmark in 2024. Church leaders said then they sought the designation in part to help it secure preservation-focused funding for needed repairs.

“Hyde Park Union Church launched a capital campaign in 2024 after securing landmark status, aiming to raise at least $500,000 for long-deferred building improvements. It has so far raised at least $428,000, and much of that fundraising has already supported preliminary repairs and assessments.

“Church leaders told the Herald that building sustainability is a primary focus for the grant funds and that they are considering using the money to install solar panels on the roof, which will require city approval.

“‘We’re exploring how to make our building more energy efficient, because those expenses are high and could be put toward better use,’ said India Daniels, treasurer of the church’s finance committee.”

Read the full story at Hyde Park Herald

• Hyde Park Union Church gets $163K Adopt-A-Landmark grant, Angel Idowu, Hyde Park Herald, 3/3/26
• City panel recommends landmark status for century-old Hyde Park church; A landmark designation for the Hyde Park Union Church, designed by architect James Gamble Rogers, would protect exterior and interior elements from future demolition, Abby Miller, Chicago Sun-Times, 4/4/24
• Hyde Park Union Church Receives Preliminary Landmark Designation, Hannah Faris, Hyde Park Herald, 2/26/24