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Gospel news
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The historic Pilgrim Baptist Church in Chicago is a landmark church known as the birthplace of Gospel music and has opened its doors for the first time since a fire two years ago ravaged the structure on the city's South Side. The fire was caused accidentally by workers performing roof repairs during a ½ million restoration.
The building was designed in the late 1800s by the famous architectural firm headed by Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler. Mahalia Jackson, Sallie Martin, James Cleveland and the Staples Singers are among those who have sung at the church.
The Pilgrim Baptist Church, formerly Kehilath Anshe Ma'ariv Synagogue (reformed Judaism), is located at 3302 S. Indian Avenue and is in the heart of Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood. Adler was a member and his father was a Rabbi.
A Baptist congregation moved into the building in 1922 forming Pilgrim Baptist Church. The church is credited for birthing Gospel music in the 1930s. Thomas A. Dorsey, the 'Father of Gospel Music," was music director for decades. In 1973 the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a Chicago landmark in 1981
Pilgrim Baptist Church played host recently to members of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs in Chicago for their annual convention. The group toured the salvaged space of the church.
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