CHICAGO (WLS) -- Fire department crews were back on site at Englewood's Antioch Missionary Baptist Church on Tuesday afternoon as flare ups continued to pop up. We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge and holiness; to give it a place in our affections, prayers and services above every organization of human origin; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrine; to contribute cheerfully and regularly, as God has prospered us, toward its expenses, for the support of a faithful and evangelical ministry among us, the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel throughout the world. But he emphasized what is important is the congregation is OK. "The church is not a building. 9:00 a.m. Sunday Church School It has been a vital part of the community. Within minutes, firefighters evacuated the stone church as flames continued to spread and the buildings truss roof collapsed. Thus, the smoke is blowing due east toward the Dan Ryan Expressway. Reverend Dr. Wilbur Nathan Daniel served the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church from 1957 until 1999- forty-two years of faithful service. April 15 is a day that Dew, lead pastor of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, will never forget. The act, passed during the Eisenhower Administration, provided government loans for nonprofits to develop low- to moderate-income housing. 611 W. 63rd Street, Suite #012 Pastor Gerald M. Dew is the humble pastor of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, Chicago, Illinois. Antioch Live! Prayer Meeting & Bible Study City officials, in a statement, pledged to work closely with church leaders as they deal with the loss of this historic community pillar.. Reverend Dew preached his fist sermon as pastor on Sunday, March 4, 2001 and was installed as Antiochs fourth pastor on Sunday, April 29, 2001. "My thought shifted from saving anything and just doing something new," he said. On the third day He rose again. This place is a safe haven. He is committed to the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church family and lives his life for the good of others, the growth of the church, and the glory of God. JOIN US FOR WORSHIP SUNDAYS @ 8:00AM & 10:00AM. The church building at Stewart and Englewood avenues is rated in the Chicago Historical Resources Survey, and dates back from the 1880s, and was designed by the architectural firm Bell & Swift. Chicago, IL 60621 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. According to church leaders, membership once was about 4,000 and now is closer to 1,000. Antioch continues to sponsor the development of quality affordable housing in the Englewood community for families, seniors, and the physically challenged. Flames could be seen coming out windows of the church in a video posted to social media. The candidates for pastor were vast. The strong winds on Thursday could have sent the fire spreading to other buildings. Pastor Gerald Dew with Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, left, speaks with Deputy Fire Commissioner Donald Walker as Chicago Firefighters battle major blaze at the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, in the 6300 block of South Stewart Avenue, in Englewood, Friday, April 15, 2022. Firefighters trained hose lines from tower ladder trucks. MORE: Firefighter, 2 others injured in Englewood house fire. Antioch went on to develop more affordable housing including the Antioch Haven Homes, the Roseanna Burrell Homes, the Wentworth Haven Homes, the Rose Haven Manor, the Paradise Haven Homes, the West Haven Homes, and the Normal Haven Homes. Daniel was very involved in civic affairs and was friends with mayors and other city leaders. Download for iOS Download for Android He is committed to the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church family and lives his life for the good of others, the growth of the church, and the glory of God. Prayer Meeting & Bible Study This newly acquired property would be called, The Community Building. On August 5, 1943, Antioch paid off the remaining debt owed on the church building and celebrated with its first Victory Banquet on October 20, 1943. Without question Pastor Dew is a future-informed leader with his eye on both what is and what is to come. State of Illinois unclaimed property auction starts May 1, Chicago radio host describes dodging bullets in New Orleans shooting. And I say also unto thee? 10:00 a.m. Live Streaming. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Pastor Dew would soon learn, the entire church would need to be torn down. Chicago, IL 60621 If you are in the Chicagoland area, we would love for you to connect with us and attend one of our worship services where you will experience teaching, preaching, fellowship, and worship in a comfortable and loving environment. "It was devastating," said Pastor Dew. The winds were out of the west Friday afternoon. Workers ride a construction lift to start demolishing Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in the Englewood neighborhood after the Department of Buildings determined that . . Dew said he does not believe anyone was inside the church at the time of the fire. Antioch was indeed a powerful Christian force within the Englewood Community. The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report. 773-873-4433, Office Hours Once faith was unleashed within Antioch Reverend Daniel challenged the church further by calling for the debt to be paid off within the following year. Demolition begins on Englewood church gutted by fire, Hollywood writers, slamming gig economy, vote to go on strike, Treasurys Yellen says U.S. could default as soon as June 1, First Republic Bank seized, sold in fire sale to JPMorgan, 7 bodies found during search for missing Oklahoma teens, 6 dead in crashes as high winds and dust cut visibility on Interstate 55 near Springfield, The Edgar haircut is one more thing kids, parents can disagree on, Charges filed in stabbing of Loop Target employee, 7 big questions facing Bears after NFL Draft. The church building that burned down dated back from the late 1880s, and was designed by the architectural firm Bell & Swift. The foundation became the sponsoring entity of the Eden Green development at 131st Street and Indiana Avenue for which Antioch said it became the first church in the country to take advantage of Section 202 of the National Housing Act. Chicago, IL 60621 (make checks payable to Antioch Missionary Baptist Church) Give in Person: Drop Off at AMBC (Mon-Thu 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) . I havent been to services as often as I should because I work on Sundays, he said. Austin was baptized at the church in 1973 and still counts himself as a member. Memories floated through Jonathan Austins mind as he leaned against a tree Wednesday across from the Antioch Missionary Baptist Churchas workers began to demolish the fire-damaged structure. Unfortunately, we are not able to save the mural, a spokesperson for the Buildings Department said, explaining that it wasnt technically feasible to cut, lift, and remove the wall intact.. It is our hope and prayer that as you journey through the pages of our online ministry, you will experience a glimpse of our commitment to being a loving, educational, spirit-driven, and spirit-filled church family that offers every believer an opportunity to draw closer to God and every non-believer the invitation to accept Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. The fire of faith had been lit and was burning bright. Antioch Missionary Baptist Church will move its Easter Sunday services after the fire destroyed its building on Friday afternoon. Monday Thursday Pews were also likely on fire inside the structure. Monday Thursday The church's pastor said they hope to rebuild. CHICAGO (WLS) -- A fire at a beloved landmark church in Englewood reignited on Saturday morning. By 2:48 p.m., the Fire Department reported the roof caved in. The church caught fire Friday, not long after Dew presided over a Good Friday service. Chicago Fire Department spokesperson Larry Langford said church leaders hope to save the iconic neon sign outside the building. We mourn the loss of this sacred space.". And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good; and acceptable, and perfect will of God.-Romans 12:1-2, Sunday Worship Services Daniel, who died in 1999, called his churchs involvement in affordable housing a matter of Black progress that was often ignored by outsiders but appreciated in the community. 3,502 were here. And Antiochs housing development ministry was a model for both churches and future businesses and non-profits cross the nation. "When I heard about it, it broke my heart.". He was taken away in an ambulance. For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Sunday School Lessons . The pastor reiterated that the church is so much more than just a building to the area. In fact, a congregation was established named Antioch Eden Green and Reverend Daniel was the pastor which meant that Antioch was a multisite church in 1968, long before the multisite church phenomenon of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Even as the crews worked to tear it down, it appeared the fire was not done yet. Branch. The cause of the fire was under investigation Friday afternoon. Dr. Wilbur Nathan Daniel, Antioch Missionary Baptist moved into its Englewood home in 1958. Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Sunday School Lessons Because Reverend Daniel understood that human need extends far beyond the need for shelter, the complex included a chapel for religious services. The church has built housing up and down 63rd Street and elsewhere in Englewood and beyond. It began as the Englewood Baptist Congregational Church before the Englewood Missionary Baptist Church took over the space in 1958. In 2012 Pastor Dew instituted the Forward Momentum in Ministry Ministers Workshop designed to educate and empower religious leaders from across the state. I know the church is in your heart," added parishioner Tara Phillips. Sparks have reignited several times this week, stalling the necessary teardown. As the fire was brought under control, Pastor Dew was canvassing the area and talking to the firefighters who worked so hard to put the fire out. "But even as it burned, I had hope the walls could be saved.". "Tearing it down, and we will raise it up again," Lead Pastor Gerald Dew said during a press conference Thursday. Services have continued despite the loss of a physical building; last week they gathered for services at Callahan Funeral Home. CHICAGO - Demolition crews began tearing down Antioch Missionary Baptist Church on Wednesday, days after a fire all but destroyed the historic Englewood church. Reverend Daniel called for Antioch to stand with him in faith and pay the loan off within three years. Officials Saturday released a cause for the fire that send Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood into flames just a day earlier. This place of worship, a former Jewish Synagogue, was sold to Antioch for $65,000. ", SEE ALSO: Mural inside Englewood church remains untouched by days-long fire as flare-ups continue. Leaders would also like to add a community computer lab and a center for kids as part of the rebuild. For the second time in its history, Antioch gathered to prayerfully decide who would shepherd them and on December 22, 1932, Reverend James Monroe Harvey of Shreveport, Louisiana was elected as the 2nd Pastor of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.