Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago
Encyclopedia
The Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago is a congregation
of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
located on the Magnificent Mile
in Chicago
, directly across the street from the John Hancock Center
.
which destroyed the young congregation's new church building. The congregation subsequently built a second building, located at the corner of Rush Street
and Superior Street, which was dedicated in February 1874.
After nearly 40 years at that location, in 1912, the congregation decided to build a new building on Pine Street
, which was then a fairly undeveloped part of the city. The congregation employed architect
Ralph Adams Cram
to build them a Gothic Revival building that was dedicated in 1914. The building is the oldest on Michigan Avenue
with the exception of the Chicago Water Tower
.
of the church is John Buchanan
, who has announced that he will retire as of July 31, 2012.
Local church
A local church is a Christian congregation of members and clergy.Local church may also refer to:* Local churches , a Christian group based on the teachings of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee, and associated with the Living Stream Ministry publishing house.* Parish church, a local church united with...
of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
The Presbyterian Church , or PC, is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. Part of the Reformed tradition, it is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the U.S...
located on the Magnificent Mile
Magnificent Mile
The Magnificent Mile, sometimes referred to as The Mag Mile, is a neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois, that runs along a portion of Michigan Avenue extending from the Chicago River to Oak Street in the Near North Side community area. The district is located adjacent to downtown; it is also one block...
in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, directly across the street from the John Hancock Center
John Hancock Center
John Hancock Center at 875 North Michigan Avenue in the Streeterville area of Chicago, Illinois, is a 100-story, 1,127-foot tall skyscraper, constructed under the supervision of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, with chief designer Bruce Graham and structural engineer Fazlur Khan...
.
History
The Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago was formed in February 1871 by the merger of Westminster Presbyterian Church and North Presbyterian Church. The combined congregation dedicated a new church building on Sunday, October 8, 1871. That was the same day as the beginning of the Great Chicago FireGreat Chicago Fire
The Great Chicago Fire was a conflagration that burned from Sunday, October 8, to early Tuesday, October 10, 1871, killing hundreds and destroying about in Chicago, Illinois. Though the fire was one of the largest U.S...
which destroyed the young congregation's new church building. The congregation subsequently built a second building, located at the corner of Rush Street
Rush Street (Chicago)
Rush Street is predominantly a northbound one-way street in the Near North Side community area of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States...
and Superior Street, which was dedicated in February 1874.
After nearly 40 years at that location, in 1912, the congregation decided to build a new building on Pine Street
Michigan Avenue (Chicago)
Michigan Avenue is a major north-south street in Chicago which runs at 100 east south of the Chicago River and at 132 East north of the river from 12628 south to 950 north in the Chicago street address system...
, which was then a fairly undeveloped part of the city. The congregation employed architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
Ralph Adams Cram
Ralph Adams Cram
Ralph Adams Cram FAIA, , was a prolific and influential American architect of collegiate and ecclesiastical buildings, often in the Gothic style. Cram & Ferguson and Cram, Goodhue & Ferguson are partnerships in which he worked.-Early life:Cram was born on December 16, 1863 at Hampton Falls, New...
to build them a Gothic Revival building that was dedicated in 1914. The building is the oldest on Michigan Avenue
Michigan Avenue (Chicago)
Michigan Avenue is a major north-south street in Chicago which runs at 100 east south of the Chicago River and at 132 East north of the river from 12628 south to 950 north in the Chicago street address system...
with the exception of the Chicago Water Tower
Chicago Water Tower
The Chicago Water Tower is a contributing property in the Old Chicago Water Tower District landmark district. It is located at 806 North Michigan Avenue along the Magnificent Mile shopping district in the Near North Side community area of Chicago, Illinois...
.
Pastors
The current pastorPastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
of the church is John Buchanan
John Buchanan (pastor)
Rev. John M. Buchanan is the pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, Illinois, the second largest congregation in the Presbyterian Church ....
, who has announced that he will retire as of July 31, 2012.