A Resolution Commemorating the 99 Anniversary
of Pilgrim Baptist Church
WHEREAS, Pilgrim Baptist Church is celebrating its 99 Anniversary on September 20, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Pilgrim's rich history began with a small group of praying men and women in a deacon's basement in 1916; and
WHEREAS, Pilgrim's building was designed by famed architect Louis Sullivan, engineer Dankmar Adler and draftsman Frank Lloyd Wright, and was used as the Kehilath Anshe Ma'ariv Synagogue before becoming Pilgrim Baptist Church in 1922; and
WHEREAS, In 1973, the Church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the City Council of Chicago and was later designated as a Chicago Landmark on December 18, 1981. And despite a fire in 2006 that destroyed nearly all of the interior of the church, this historic architectural landmark and its original exterior are still standing today; and
WHEREAS, Many influential people have experienced the blessings of Pilgrim Baptist Church, including: Thomas A. Dorsey - the father of gospel music, Senator Margaret Smith, Jackie Vaughn, Bessie Coleman, Mahalia Jackson, Jack Johnson, Oscar Brown, Jr.; and
WHEREAS, Pilgrim played a prominent role in the Civil Rights movement and on many occasions hosted Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for sermons at the church; and
WHEREAS, Pilgrim's commitment to service and the community continues to this day through its many vibrant ministries like the volunteers ministry, women's ministry and youth ministry; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the City Council members of the City of Chicago hereby assembled on this the 29th day of July, 2015, A.D., do hereby congratulate Pilgrim Baptist Church on its 99th Anniversary; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Pilgrim Baptist Church on the occasion of its anniversary.
Pat Dowell Alderman, 3rd Ward