Pilgrim Baptist Church Says "We Will Survive"

By Rachelle Bowden in News on Jan 9, 2006 4:09PM

Despite the fire on Friday that destroyed their historic 115-year-old church building, several hundred members of Pilgrim Baptist Church held their regular worship service yesterday morning thanks to Rev. Jesse Jackson, who allowed them the use of Operation Rainbow PUSH's headquarters for the service. Starting next week, the congregation will meet at their community center, which is located across the street from where their church once stood.

Fire officials are still investigating the cause of the fire, but it's widely reported that there were workers using blow torches on the roof, which is where the fire started. Church members are eager to clarify that it was a building that was destroyed, not the church, and that they'll definitely be rebuilding that building. The church was insured, but they're unsure how much they'll actually collect. If you'd like to donate to the rebuilding, send your $$ to Pilgrim Baptist Church Rebuilding Fund, c/o Amalgamated Bank, 1 W. Monroe, Chicago 60603.

Thanks to ChicagoEye for letting us use this beautiful but devastating photograph. See more of his Pilgrim Baptist Church photographs in this Flickr Photoset. Also see The New No. 2 and liveinreality.