Can you imagine Garfield Ridge without the Garfield Ridge Presbyterian Church? It has been a cornerstone of this community. It has been a place of worship for many. Let’s delve into the story of Garfield Ridge and its Presbyterian Church.
Garfield Ridge is on Chicago’s far southwest side. It lies 10 miles from the Loop. The area is named for Garfield Boulevard. It is also named for a glacial ridge from Lake Michigan’s retreat. The area was once known as Archer Limits.
The Garfield Ridge area had poor-quality land. It served as a transportation corridor. It was not initially a residential area. Transportation went through Archer Road. The Illinois and Michigan Canal also helped. So did the Chicago and Alton Railroad.
William B. Archer bought land here in 1835. John Wentworth followed in 1853. Few settlers maintained a permanent presence. The land was soggy. There was limited agricultural development. Dutch farmers were some of the earliest settlers.
Chicago annexed parts of the area in 1889. More annexation occurred in 1915 and 1921. Garfield Ridge became one of Chicago’s 77 community areas. The University of Chicago defined these areas in the 1920s.
A major population expansion occurred in the 1920s. It surged from 2,472 to 6,050. Eastern European immigrants fueled this growth. Poles were a significant group. Industry development encouraged this. A streetcar line on Archer Avenue helped. The Chicago Municipal Airport also helped. It was renamed Midway Airport in 1942.
The area retained a bucolic quality. In 1936, areas west of Central Avenue had dirt roads. Farms had grazing animals. Growth continued after a slowdown during the Great Depression. The population nearly doubled in the 1940s. It more than tripled in the 1950s. Residential development surpassed industrial development by 1950.
Single-story bungalows arose in the western part of the area. The 1960 Census showed African-Americans in the area. They lived solely in the LeClaire Courts housing project. This project was constructed in 1950. It expanded in 1954.
The population peaked at 42,998 in 1970. Loss of traffic at Midway led to job declines. It also caused population decline. Whites moved out. Blacks and Hispanics moved in from Little Village and Pilsen.
In 2000, 77.3 percent of the area’s population was white. Over a third had Polish ancestry. 12.3 percent were Black. 16.5 percent were Hispanic.
Garfield Ridge Presbyterian Church stands as a testament to faith. It reflects the community’s evolving demographics. It is a beacon of hope. It is a place for spiritual growth. The church continues to serve. It supports the Garfield Ridge community. It adapts to meet changing needs. Its story intertwines with the area’s history. It enriches the neighborhood’s fabric.