173rd Birthday Celebration for Trinity Episcopal Church
Whereas, Trinity Episcopal Church was founded in 1842 to serve the needs of Episcopalians on Chicago's South Side. It is the second oldest Episcopal Parish in Chicago and will be celebrating its 173rd Birthday in June; and
Whereas, Services were initially conducted in a public "saloon" until a building was erected on Madison and Clark streets. Later the church moved to Jackson Street between Michigan and Wabash. This building was destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire, at which point Trinity moved south to its present location at 26th and Michigan; and
Whereas, An esteemed example of Gothic architecture, Trinity was the church of the wealthy, socially prominent families that lived in the historic Prairie Avenue neighborhood. The three-story parish house was erected in 1894. Around this time, Harriet Blair Borland, a life-long member, presented the church with its famous "Angel Lectern," which was designed for the World's Fair of 1893; and
Whereas, The growth of the "Gold Coast" north of the city's business district drew away many wealthy families, and Trinity's membership declined. Today, Trinity is growing again, and is a racially, culturally and economically integrated parish; and
Whereas, Trinity Episcopal Church is located on the near South Side, on the northern border of the area commonly known as "Bronzeville," the center of African-American cultural and economic life from the 1920's through the 40's. Rapid changes in the demographics of the neighborhood, related to the demolition of existing housing stock to make way for large public housing developments, resulted in Bronzeville's becoming overwhelmingly African-American and poor; and
Whereas, Today, Bronzeville is in the midst of revitalization, spurred by public investment, including the CHA's rehabilitation plans, and private market forces. The area has attracted development of new housing developments and redevelopment of grand older housing stock...
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