“Did you ever wonder about the hidden stories behind these walls?” I ask, gesturing towards the Chicago Baptist Church Of Logan Square. This isn’t just a church. It’s a landmark with a past life.
The Chicago Baptist Church Of Logan Square stands on a site rich with history. It wasn’t always a church. Before the congregation gathered here, it was the Logan Square Masonic Temple.
Let’s journey back to the early 20th century. Imagine the year is 1921. Freemasons gather at Kedzie and Albany. They are celebrating the stone-laying ceremony for their new temple. Architect Clarence Hatzfeld oversaw the construction.
The Logan Square Masonic Temple was impressive. It was a four-story building built from brick and limestone. The cost was 300,000 dollars. Towering limestone columns marked the entrance. The words “Logan Square Masonic Temple” were carved below the roofline.
For forty years, the Masons used the temple. It served as a meeting place and a community hub. Inside were themed rooms. There was a Pompeian ballroom and an Egyptian ballroom. There was also an American hall, an Ionian lounge, and a Norman hall.
But times changed. By the 1960s, the Masons moved out. In 1982, the Armitage Baptist Church purchased the building. The Chicago Baptist Church Of Logan Square had found its new home.
Urban Remains received a call about artifacts left in the attic. These remnants offered a glimpse into the building’s Masonic past. Blue and red mohair carpet was found. Old newspapers and a Christmas pamphlet were also discovered.
Architectural elements were recovered. These included stained glass windows and stonework. Two stones were particularly interesting. They were carved with the Freemasons compass and square. The stones read “Casimir Pulaski / constituted October 21, 1937 / 1167 A.F. & A.M.”
These stones hinted at a merger or renaming of the lodge. It became the Casimir Pulaski Lodge. Casimir Pulaski was a Polish war hero believed to be a Master Mason.
The bldg 51 museum now preserves these artifacts. They keep the history of the Logan Square Masonic Temple alive. Even outside its original context.
Today, the Chicago Baptist Church Of Logan Square welcomes all. It is a place of worship and community. But remember its hidden history. This building has seen gatherings of Freemasons and congregations of faith. As you leave, consider the layers of history beneath your feet. The Chicago Baptist Church Of Logan Square is more than just a church. It is a testament to the ever-changing story of Chicago.