Time grows short for historic North Lawndale synagogue

by Lee Bey | Jan. 09, 2012

A derelict former North Lawndale synagogue could get substantially closer to the wrecker's ball this week as Department of Buildings officials begin putting the edifices' demolition contract out to bid, according to a city spokesperson.

Building Department spokesperson Bill McCaffrey said the agency will bid out the contract to demolish the former temple at 3411 W. Douglas Blvd. within "the next couple of days." Due to the building's size--it is big enough to have once sat 3,500 worshippers--department officials will allow prospective bidders to tour the structure before drafting their bids, McCaffrey said.

The shuttered and deteriorating brick and limestone Byzantine Revival structure was once a center of a Jewish--and later, African American--life in the West Side community. Built in 1913 as Anshe Kenesseth Israel, the former temple was once among the largest synagogues in North Lawndale, a predominantly Jewish community in the early and mid-20th century. And for now, the building belongs to a distinctive, but shrinking collection of architecturally high-quality synagogues, schools and public buildings built during that era.

In the 1960s, the area became mostly African American and the synagogue became an early home for Friendship Baptist Church (which later moved to 5200 W. Jackson) and hosted the Rev. Martin Luther King. The building was Shepherd's Temple Baptist Church when it closed years ago. Abundant Life World Outreach, a North Side ministry, bought structure in 2007 but was unable to make a go of rehabbing and reusing the building. A city inspection last month led to an agreed order between the city and owners to demolish the structure.

The group Preservation Chicago placed the edifice on its 'Chicago Seven'-most endangered buildings list in 2011. This blog visited the vacant building in 2010 to discuss its architecture, history and condition. In addition to the above photo, here are two more from that visit.

And here is what the building looked like in its prime.

There is an online petition drive aimed at persuading Mayor Rahm Emanuel to stay the building's demolition. And there has been discussion in preservation circles about parties interested in stepping up to save the building. McCaffrey, the building department spokesperson, said anyone looking to rescue the building would have to demonstrate to the city their financial ability to do so.

Comments

Mark Gerwing wrote:

I am an architect and sit on the Landmarks Board in little Boulder, Colorado. I may have lived in Chicago for only a short time (about 7 years), but it is amazing to me how little I understand that place. That a building like this is slated for demolition with little public review and outcry is incredible. Out here in the West, where our architectural history is so short, we would ardently fight to protect such a rich architectural and historic resource.

Mon Jan 9 2012, 10:27 AM

MWBrown wrote:

Mark, I agree its a sad state of affairs that a city like Chicago continues to destroy its precious cultural patrimony. I would however, note that there are some fine buildings on the chopping block out west. A Texas developer has been selected by the University of Washington at Spokane to redevelop the campus and demolition of one of the important buildings - for student housing no less - is on the block (Jensen-Byrd Bldg). Heck, Spokane is hosting the next National Trust convention too! Unfortunately, I don't see a lot of appreciation for our heritage happening anywhere in the good 'ol USofA. Its too bad too. Cookie cutter sameness seems to be what we're after.

Mon Jan 9 2012, 4:19 PM

Valerie F. Leonard wrote:

I'd like to thank Lee Bey for covering this story in a manner that is objective, and shares information on the history of the building, as well as insights into the city processes. I thank Preservation Chicago and the photographer for being a friend to this building when no one else was looking. I was absolutely thrilled to see the link to our online petition included in the article. Thank you.

Mon Jan 9 2012, 6:25 PM

Seth Barnhart wrote:

During my ten plus years living on Chicago's west side I have witnessed many beautiful buildings destroyed. Our city can make a choice here, the choice of preservation. The citizens of the west side and all of Chicago are taking notice and signing the petition. This building can be an important tool in the revival of Douglas Blvd, the possibilities are endless. I would like to thank Lee Bey for sharing the link in his article.

Tue Jan 10 2012, 2:42 PM

Madeline Roberts wrote:

Please save this building from demolition.

Tue Jan 10 2012, 6:25 PM

Steven W Lindsey wrote:

Looks like one of the lost synagogues destroyed during Kristallnacht. Who would have thought such an iconic edifice could be fallen by neglect?

Hon. Steven W LIndsey
state rep
Ches-3
Keene, NH

Thu Jan 12 2012, 8:12 PM

Carey Wintergreen wrote:

I am an architect, preservationist and board member of the Chicago Jewish Historical Society. I am currently spearheading the effort to stop the demolition of the former Anshe Kanesses Israel synagogue at 3411 W. Douglas Blvd. The building, which was sold to Friendship Baptist Church in the 1960's, later became Shepherd’s Temple Baptist Church, and is currently owned by Abundant Life World Outreach.

I am working along with Preservation Chicago, Landmarks Illinois, and a host of other governmental, neighborhood and civic entities to prepare a proposal for saving this significant architectural and historic structure. Our primary direction, at this point, is to overturn the order of demolition while we seek to securely "mothball" the building for future reuse.

Yesterday, a number of us, including Ron Grossman of the Chicago Tribune were able to tour and photograph the interior (which is significantly damaged). A number of photos by Susanne Helmert are posted online at http://www.flickr.com/photos/erdbeertorte/sets/72157628903814129/with/67....

If you are interested in being part of the effort to save this important landmark structure, please feel free to contact me.

Carey Wintergreen
wintergreen | architects

carey@wintergreenarchitects.com

Tue Jan 17 2012, 10:59 AM

Maritza V wrote:

Praying for this building to be preserved and restored!

Wed Feb 1 2012, 12:22 AM

Lee Bey

Lee Bey is interested in studying, covering and impacting architecture, urbanism, historic preservation and the role politics play in the creation of the built environment. He was architecture critic for the Chicago Sun-Times, worked as a mayoral deputy chief of staff for Richard M. Daley, served as director of governmental affairs for the Chicago office of Skidmore Owings & Merrill, and now is executive director of the Chicago Central Area Committee.