UPDATE: The historic First Church of Deliverance in Bronzeville has been awarded a significant $150,000 preservation grant by the National Trust for Historic Preservation to support essential restoration efforts. This urgent funding was revealed today, aimed at ensuring the church, an architectural gem built in 1939, continues to serve as a cultural and community cornerstone.
The grant is part of a broader initiative, with a total of $750,000 allocated to five projects under the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund’s Conserving Black Modernism scheme. “First Church of Deliverance is a sanctuary where gospel music soared and Black modernist architecture came alive,” stated Brent Leggs, executive director of the Action Fund, emphasizing the church’s vital role in preserving the rhythm of faith and community for future generations.
Located at 4315 S. Wabash Ave, the church stands out as one of Chicago’s rare examples of streamline Art Moderne architecture. Designed by Walter T. Bailey, the state’s first licensed Black architect, the church features a striking design with iconic twin towers and a minimalist, polychromatic exterior. Bailey transformed a former hat factory into this architectural masterpiece, incorporating modern materials like terra cotta to achieve its unique look.
The congregation of First Church of Deliverance has a rich history of community service, founded by Rev. Clarence H. Cobbs, who actively supported marginalized individuals through soup lines, food distributions, and blood donation drives. The church remains vibrant today, with its worship space—including a stunning, colorful cross overhead—serving as a highlight in the city’s architectural tours.
Despite previous restorations funded by a $228,000 grant from the Chicago Department of Planning and Development in 2019, extensive work is still required. Marcella Thomas, a leader in the church’s restoration efforts, articulated the need for a comprehensive preservation plan, stating, “The assessment of the church is first because that’s the anchor. It has been an anchor for many years and it continues to be that.”
Immediate attention is needed for critical features, including the church’s towers and 1946 murals created by Chicago artist Fred Jones. “So, lots of things,” Thomas added, highlighting the urgent need for preservation to keep the legacy alive.
The National Trust’s funding will enable a thorough evaluation of the church and its surrounding campus, which includes a children’s church and the Maggie Drummond Community Center & Day Care. As the congregation prepares to embark on this essential project, the community eagerly anticipates the revitalization of this historic landmark.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story and the impact it will have on the Bronzeville community and beyond.
