Stepping inside La Villita Community Church on South Millard Avenue, you’re stepping into a piece of Chicago’s hidden history. This building wasn’t always a church. It once stood proudly as the Masonic Temple of Lawndale. The clues are still here, whispers of the past etched into the very fabric of this building. If you look closely, perhaps move a rug aside near a side entrance, you might find the Masonic symbol embedded in the tiles. The “G” represents both “God” and “geometry,” a reminder of the principles that once guided the Masons who met here. It’s fascinating to imagine the ceremonies and meetings that took place within these walls. During my last visit, the main entrance was undergoing renovations, its tiles being completely replaced. This act of renewal, juxtaposed with the enduring Masonic symbols hidden within, speaks to the evolving story of La Villita Community Church. Right next door, practically kitty-corner, stands Greater Zion MB Church. Built in 1891, this grand structure originally served as a Methodist church. Its close proximity to the former Masonic Temple adds another layer of intrigue to this corner of Chicago. Two distinct faiths, their histories intertwined by location and time, standing as silent witnesses to the changing tides of the city.
Congregation Or Torah
Rabbi Zvi Engel’s leadership guides Congregation Or Torah. This impressive Modern Orthodox Synagogue stands proudly in Skokie Illinois. It’s one