Chicago Landmarks Commission Denies Demolition Of Pilgrim Baptist Church
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Chicago Landmarks Commission has voted to temporarily deny a demolition permit to Pilgrim Baptist Church, which wants to tear down most of what's left of the 1890s structure ravaged by fire ten years ago.
Only the walls are left, but Chicago Cultural Historian, Tim Samuelson told the landmarks commission that even that much of Pilgrim Baptist Church is worth saving. WBBM's Steve Miller reports.
"This is not something on life support," Samuelson said. "Those walls have a heartbeat and it's beating strong right now."
The church has applied for a permit to demolish everything but the arch doorway from the Adler and Sullivan building.
The plan as of now, said church trustee Cynthia Jones, is to partner with an organization called the National Museum of Gospel Music.
"What we want is this museum to be one of a kind, located on the historic former site of Pilgrim Baptist Church, 3301 South Indiana," Jones said. "Because Pilgrim Baptist Church is recognized as the birthplace of gospel music."
Jones said the venture would cost $55 million, and there's no plan where that would come from.
The landmarks commission voted to deny the demolition permit, at least for now.