Nate's B-Day Tour

Today's Itinerary:

1. Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral and Rectory

Designed to resemble the Russian provincial churches known to its first parishioners, this elegant church is an unexpected feature of its neighborhood. Even more surprising is the fact that its construction was partially paid for by Russian Czar Nicholas II. The walls of the church are load-bearing brick covered with stucco; the detailing of the two-story rectory repeats the same sinuous curve found in the roofline of the church. The ideologies held by the client and the designer harmonized well in this project, producing one of the most-inspired, small-scale works of influential architect Louis Sullivan.

Ukrainian Catholic Church

Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Closed didn't go in.

Ate lunch at Mr. Beef on Orleans

2. First Baptist Congregational Church

Address: 60 N. Ashland Ave.
Year Built: 1871
Architect: Gurdon P. Randall

Social activism has characterized this congregation since its founding in 1851 by abolitionists. The innovative, amphitheater-style auditorium within this Gothic Revival-style building was widely influential in church architecture. The adjacent Carpenter Chapel was designed by Otis Wheelock and built in 1869 for the Chicago Theological Seminary. Closed, didn't go.

Stockyards Gate

Bubbly Creek

Pope’s Visit - Five Holy Martyrs Church 4327 S. Richmond St - Couldn't find it.

Englewood

Pullman District 11141 South Cottage Grove Avenue

In 1880, George Pullman commissioned architect Solon S. Beman to design the perfect industrial town, a landscaped haven complete with indoor plumbing and gas facilities. However, his utopia did not last. When an economic panic hit, Pullman had to reduce his workers' hours and wages, causing a bloody strike (the first organized one in U.S, history) to erupt in 1894. Today, much of the town remains intact, although a recent fire gutted one of its main buildings. This is a must-see for anyone with an interest in urban histories, planning or the workers' movement in America. You can wander around Pullman any time, but it is best seen on one of a variety of tours offered throughout the year. Awesome.

3. K.A.M. Isaiah Israel Temple

Address: 1100 E. Hyde Park Blvd.
Year Built: 1924, addition, 1926
Architect: Alfred S. Alschuler

This building, based on Byzantine-style design precedents, houses the oldest Jewish congregation in Chicago. The first Jewish settlers in the city organized Kehilath Anshe Maariv in 1847; Isaiah Israel had its roots in the city's second Jewish congregation, which was founded in 1852. In 1971, the two merged to form K.A.M. Isaiah Israel Temple.

Obama’s House-

5046 S Greenwood Ave

Chicago, IL 60615- Secret service kicked us off the sidewalk. Got to see Obama's house briefly.

Nation of Islam- Louis Farrakhan’s house

4855 S Woodlawn Ave

Get Directions

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Unverified listing

Kenwood District, Oakland District- Farrakhan wasn't home

4. Pilgrim Baptist Church

Address: 3301 S. Indiana Ave.r
Year Built: 1890-1891
Architect: Adler & Sullivan

The decorative and planning skills of architect Louis H. Sullivan, along with the engineering abilities of Dankmar Adler, are embodied in the strong masonry forms of this building, which is embellished with terra-cotta panels of intricate foliage designs. The dramatic interior of the church contains similar ornament. Built as Kehilath Anshe Ma' ariv synagogue, the building has housed the Pilgrim Baptist Church since 1922. During the 1930s, this congregation and its longtime music director, Thomas A. Dorsey, were instrumental in the development of gospel music. Among those who sang here were: Mahalia Jackson, Sallie Martin, James Cleveland, and the Edwin Hawkins Singers. Destroyed in a fire.

4. Quinn Chapel

Address: 2401 S. Wabash Ave.
Year Built: 1892
Architect: Henry F. Starbuck

This church houses Chicago's oldest African-American congregation, which traces its origins back to 1844, when seven individuals formed a nondenominational prayer group that met in the house of one of its members. In 1847, the group organized as a congregation of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Named for Bishop William P. Quinn, the church played an important role in the city's abolitionist movement. After the Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed the original church, the congregation met for many years in temporary locations. The congregation purchased the present site in 1890, and the current church is a reminder of the late-19th century character of the area. Didn't go.

6. Second Presbyterian Church

Address: 1936 S. Michigan Ave.
Year Built: 1874, reconstructed in 1900
Architects: Howard Van Doren Shaw,James Renwick

When this Gothic Revival-style church was designed--by a prominent New York architect-- the surrounding streets, including Prairie Avenue, one block east, were lined with the homes of wealthy Chicagoans. Members of the congregation included the Glessners, the Pullmans, and the widow of President Abraham Lincoln. The interior decorations include stained-glass windows by Louis Comfort Tiffany. A fire in 1900 destroyed much of the church, but it was reconstructed under the supervision of architect Howard Van Doren Shaw. Didn't go

Douglas Blvd.- Saw old Synagogues turned Baptist churches

Homan Sqaure- Saw the original Sears Tower