A majestic dome pierces the Chicago sky. This is the Second Christian Church in Lincoln Park a magnificent structure you stand before.
Built between 1899 and 1901 the Second Church of Christ Scientist opened its doors on Easter Sunday 1901. It’s a stunning example of architect Solon S Beman’s work. Beman known for designing the Pullman town also created this Classical Revival masterpiece. The church’s design echoes ancient Greek temples a testament to Beman’s skill. He drew inspiration from his own Merchant & Tailor’s building at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.
The church initially held four Easter services. Over 10000 people attended. The original Hutchings-Votey pipe organ was later rebuilt by the Austin Organ Company. Inside you’d find a vast column-free auditorium seating approximately 700. The sanctuary boasts honey-colored art glass windows a gilded dome and a magnificent skylight. The building’s lower levels housed offices classrooms and mechanical spaces.
The church’s history is intertwined with the Christian Science movement’s growth in Chicago. Fueled by the 1893 World’s Parliament of Religions the movement expanded. Beman a convert to Christian Science designed many churches for the denomination. He even worked with Mary Baker Eddy its founder. His designs became prototypes for Christian Science churches nationwide.
Today the Second Christian Church faces an uncertain future. The congregation’s dwindling numbers led to its sale. While proposals for a community cultural center exist the building’s fate remains unclear. Demolition looms a threat to this architectural gem. However the building’s elegance and historical significance continue to inspire preservation efforts. The Second Christian Church stands as a symbol of both architectural and religious history a powerful presence in Lincoln Park.