Stone Temple Baptist Church

This imposing building was built as a synagogue for Jewish immigrants from Romania. It was purchased less than 30 years later by an African American congregation under the leadership of Reverend J.M. Stone. As early as 1959, Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke regularly at the church, and it was one of his key bases of support during the challenging 1966 Chicago Freedom Movement. The light-filled sanctuary with Star of David motif has been carefully maintained and preserved by the church, which successfully sought Chicago Landmark designation in 2016. The newly remodeled communal kitchen at the rear of the building will be a location for community gatherings, festivities and food preparation for Stone Temple's weekly "Soup for the Soul" cooked and fresh food distribution.

J.W. Cohn & Co.