A Historic Church Hopes for a New Future Near the United Center

A 140-year-old church near Chicago’s United Center is fighting to stay alive as the area around it transforms. Greater Union Baptist Church, with its striking red brick walls and intricate wooden ceiling, has been closed since 2022 because of a broken heating system and an unpaid $14, 000 gas bill. The church, once home to over 600 members, now serves just a handful of people, struggling to keep its doors open. Yet, its historic building—designed by William Le Baron Jenney, the architect behind the world’s first steel-framed skyscraper—stands as a reminder of a different era. Jenney’s design for the church in 1886 was a bold choice for someone known for pushing architectural limits. While his skyscrapers changed cities, this church was built with thick brick walls, a nod to older construction methods. Inside, the space is open and airy, with curved pews and three large stained glass windows depicting a farmer, the Madonna, and charity. These windows, created by a local studio, reflect the church’s progressive roots, hosting debates on women’s rights and temperance in the early 1900s.Greater Union took over the building in 1928, becoming a hub for civil rights and community support. But time has taken its toll. The church has managed some repairs thanks to city programs, but fixing the interior—including the stained glass and heating—could cost hundreds of thousands. Meanwhile, the neighborhood is changing fast. Parking lots are making way for homes and shops, and the church sits right in the middle of it all. Its pastor sees an opportunity: if the redevelopment is done right, the church could become part of the new community. Not everyone is convinced. Gentrification often pushes out long-standing places like churches, replacing them with luxury apartments and trendy stores. The church’s pastor calls it a mix of good and bad—progress brings new resources but risks erasing history. With so few members left, funding repairs is a struggle. Yet, the question remains: as Chicago rebuilds, will this landmark find a way to endure?