Union Tabernacle Baptist Church

Can a building hum with the echoes of history? Union Tabernacle Baptist Church on South Stewart Avenue certainly does. This unassuming structure holds within its walls a story of resilience, community, and faith. The church we see today wasn’t always the Union Tabernacle. Our story begins with the Greater Union Missionary Baptist Church, formed in 1908. This congregation, originally known as Little Union Missionary Baptist Church, found a new home in 1928. They purchased a building previously known as the Church of the Redeemer. The Church of the Redeemer had its own rich history, dating back to 1886. Designed by the renowned architect William Le Baron Jenney, the very man who fathered the skyscraper, the church was a testament to the growing city of Chicago. Imagine the bustling streets of 1886, horse-drawn carriages clattering past as the Church of the Redeemer opened its doors for the first time on Easter Sunday. The Richardsonian Romanesque style, with its distinctive terracotta details and rounded arched windows, must have been a striking addition to the neighborhood. The church became a center of community life, not just for worship but also for charitable work and progressive lectures. It even played a role during the Civil War, with its men and pastor serving in the Union Army. Fast forward to the mid-20th century, and the church found new life with Greater Union. Reverend Shelbia Hamilton Graham, pastor from 1947 to 1967, used the pulpit to address both the spiritual and social needs of Chicago’s African American community. He led fundraising efforts for the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham after the tragic 1963 bombing. Think of the power of that moment, a Chicago church rallying to support a community facing unimaginable loss. Then, from 1996 to 2002, and again starting in 2018, Reverend Dr. Walter A. McCray led the church, expanding community outreach and charitable programs. The Union Tabernacle Baptist Church, as it stands today, carries the weight of these interwoven stories. It’s a testament to the enduring power of faith and community. It’s a symbol of resilience in the face of change. The echoes of its past resonate within its walls, a quiet hum that speaks volumes about the people who have called this place home.