Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church Building (Isaiah Temple)

“Continued large-scale migrations during the 1920s and 1930s led to unprecedented political and social changes within Chicago's African American community. During this time, transition and innovation within the mainline churches of the black religious community in Chicago resulted in the emergence of the 20th-century American musical form known as Gospel.”

“K. A. M. has occupied a number of buildings throughout its history, and one of the earliest was a former church building at Indiana Avenue and 26th Street (right); K. A. M. purchased and converted it into a synagogue after their earlier synagogue was destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire. ker ats 111 In 1861 members of the K. A. M. Temple who had embraced Reform Judaism split off to form their own temple: the Sinai Reform Congregation.”

“Adler and Sullivan played a leading role in this movement, which also included architects John Root, Daniel Burnham, William LeBaron Jenney, Martin Roche, and William Holabird. Adler and Sullivan strove to create a new American architecture by adopting and advancing new building technologies and materials such as the steel frame, plate glass, and the floating and caisson foundation systems; as well as bold innovations in functional design, stylistic treatment and organic ornament.”

“Isaiah Temple was also the first synagogue in Chicago to include an attached school building, reflecting the emphasis on education in Reform Judaism. The 1910s and 1920s witnessed major demographic changes in the surrounding neighborhood as the area transformed into the predominantly African American community of Bronzeville, and in 1921 the Isaiah congregation sold the building to the congregation of the Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church which continues to use the building as a house of worship.”

“In 1931, under the direction of musical pioneers Professor Theodore R. Frye, Thomas A. Dorsey, and Roberta Martin, Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church's groundbreaking choir filled the church with gospel music.”

“From its beginnings in 1902 through 1931, Ebenezer featured a traditional style of worship with preaching and classical music selections characteristic of Baptist churches of the time. During the first year of its establishment, Ebenezer's fledging congregation of thirty members met at Arlington Hall (demolished), a community building and gathering spot once located at 31st Street and Indiana Avenue.”

“In less than five years after its founding, the Ebenezer congregation purchased an existing church building (originally the First Church, Evangelical) on the southwest corner of 35th and Dearborn streets (now demolished) that would serve as its home for the next eighteen years.”

“During Dr. Sims' pastorate, the Dr. Frank K. Sims Education Center was constructed to the south of the church building in 1965. (The education center is not proposed to be included as part of the designation.) Also under Dr. Sims' leadership, the Ebenezer congregation hosted dignitaries including the Rev.”