“A lily in the valley”. That’s how Pastor Chaun Johnson described the Faith Pentecostal Holiness Church. You might be surprised to find such beauty here in North Lawndale. This church has been standing strong for 90 years, witnessing the changing tides of this neighborhood. The Faith Pentecostal Holiness Church wasn’t always a Pentecostal church. It started its life in 1932 as Our Lady of Lourdes. Back then it served the Czech community that had moved from Pilsen to Lawndale. Imagine the hymns echoing through these Romanesque Revival-style walls, a testament to the faith of those early residents. Over time, the neighborhood changed, becoming a predominantly Black community in the 1950s. Despite the challenges of those times, the church remained a beacon of hope. In 1965, Bishop Michael R. Dempsey took the helm, recognizing the growing unemployment crisis in Lawndale. He established “Lawndale for Better Jobs”, a program so impactful that it placed over 300 people into jobs within its first year. This initiative became a model for a citywide program, even gaining national recognition after a visit from Vice President Hubert Humphrey. In 2005, the church transitioned to a Pentecostal congregation, becoming the Faith Pentecostal Holiness Church we know today. This house of worship continues its legacy of service, offering job support, food, education resources, mental health services, and clothing to the community. They’re even working on a community garden. The Faith Pentecostal Holiness Church is more than just a place of worship. It’s a symbol of resilience, a testament to the enduring spirit of this community, and a “lily in the valley”.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to