e”Leaders of the 180-year-old Near South Side church, 2401 S. Wabash Ave., celebrated paying off the church’s $510,000 debt with a special mortgage burning ceremony earlier this month. Scores of members packed the pews for the event, said Pastor Troy K. Venning.
“The church, a city landmark, now owns the building and two nearby lots outright.
“Venning told Block Club the church’s new debt-free status paves the way for the expansion of their community event space and the creation of the Underground Railroad museum to be built in the church’s basement. The museum would serve as an onsite archive of the church’s history and contributions to the Underground Railroad, Venning told Block Club earlier this year.
The home of the Chicago’s oldest Black congregation is in the midst of a multi-million dollar restoration, with $5 million worth of work to go, Venning said. Last year, members were able to enjoy air-conditioned services for the first time in the building’s 131-year history.
“Quinn Chapel has joined preservationists and historians in an effort to get the National Park Service to recognize the Chicago To Detroit Freedom Trail. It would recreate the Underground Railroad route along which Quinn Chapel, previously located in the Loop, and the historic Olivet Baptist Church in Douglas, served as stops for freedom seekers.
“Approximately 3,000 to 4,500 freedom seekers came to and through the Chicago area prior to the Civil War and nearly all continued on toward Detroit and Canada, historian Larry McClellan told Block Club.
“The church continues to draw Hollywood’s attention as well. Its Romanesque Revival design has been featured in exterior shots for television shows like NBC’s “Chicago Fire” and Hulu’s Emmy Award-winning dramedy ‘The Bear’, while crews have used some of the church’s spaces for makeup rooms and production, Venning said.” (Nesbitt Golden, Block Club Chicago, 4/18/24)
Preservation Chicago has long worked to support Quinn Chapel which has been a Designated Chicago Landmark since 1977. We are actively seeking Chicago Landmark status for Olivet Baptist Church and recently submitted a formal Suggestion for Chicago Landmarks.
Additionally, we have been working closely with community partners to advance the Freedom Trail Underground Railroad Project which includes Quinn Chapel and Olivet Baptist Church. We are excited about this project and the progress that is being made. We played an important role in the recent recognition of the Jan and Aagje Ton Farm was the first Underground Railroad site in Chicago in September 2022.
Read the full story at Block Club Chicago
- Chicago’s Oldest Black Church Is Now Debt-Free; After marking the occasion with a “mortgage burning,” Quinn Chapel A.M.E. leaders will focus on building an onsite Underground Railroad museum and expanding its community programs, Jamie Nesbitt Golden, Block Club Chicago, 4/18/24
- How Chicago’s Oldest Black Church Helped Freedom Seekers On The Underground Railroad; Not long after Quinn Chapel A.M.E formed, its members provided food, shelter and other resources to people trying to escape slavery from Chicago through Detroit and eventually to Canada, Maia McDonald, Block Club Chicago, 2/8/24
- Landmarks: A trail that starts in Chicago could ‘connect the dots’ of a powerful episode in African American history, Paul Eisenberg, Daily Southtown, 10/1/23