Pilgrim Congregational Church

With roots going back to 1874, this picturesque Queen Anne-style church is the oldest continuously-used house of worship in Oak Park. The original chapel was completed in 1889 and included vibrant stained glass windows. In 1900, growing membership prompted the construction of an unusual, nearly square sanctuary seating 700 people. Those original plans were later modified to add a large Sunday School room that allowed any person on the main floor to observe the smaller classrooms in the balcony. That room can be opened up to add 400 seats to the 700-seat sanctuary via an enormous door that rises into the ceiling using a cranking system. Today, the site is home to Pilgrim Congregational Church, UCC, a progressive Christian community.

Patton & Fisher, 1889