Birthplace of gospel music destroyed by fire
-08/01/06
Pilgrim Baptist Church on the s
Birthplace of gospel music destroyed by fire
-08/01/06
Pilgrim Baptist Church on the south side of Chicago, considered by many to be the birthplace of American gospel music, has been destroyed in a fire which swept the building on Friday night.
The cause of the blaze which engulfed the 116-year-old building is still being determined. There appear to have been no serious casualties
Designed by distinguished architects Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler, the building was actually constructed as a synagogue. Its use was changed to that of a church in 1922.
The church has also been associated with the cult film ëThe Blues Brothersí ñ the place where Cab Calloway urges the bros to “get wise” and “get to church”.
Although some news reports confused the two buildings, this is not the same Pilgrim Baptist Church as that used as the “Triple Rock” church in the movie
The Blues Brothers, which stands on 91st Street several miles to the south.
Most famous is soul star James Brownís over-the-top rendition of “The Old Landmark”. The scene pays homage to Chicago as the birthplace of gospel.
Ned Cramer, curator of the Chicago Architecture Foundation, said yesterday that the loss of the building was devastating.
“It’s like hearing a close relative has died or a good friend. It’s heartbreaking,” he declared to the BBC and other networks.
During the 1930s, the church’s congregation and music director, Thomas A Dorsey, merged blues and hymns, creating what became known as gospel music.
The choir featured stars such as Mahalia Jackson, James Cleveland and Sally Martin.
The church was replete with distinguished architectural features, such as ornamental designs, vaulted ceilings and grand acoustics, which made Sullivan and Adler famous.
It attracted hundreds of thousands of tourists, including those unfamiliar with the black gospel tradition.
Birthplace of gospel music destroyed by fire
-08/01/06
Pilgrim Baptist Church on the south side of Chicago, considered by many to be the birthplace of American gospel music, has been destroyed in a fire which swept the building on Friday night.
The cause of the blaze which engulfed the 116-year-old building is still being determined. There appear to have been no serious casualties
Designed by distinguished architects Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler, the building was actually constructed as a synagogue. Its use was changed to that of a church in 1922.
The church has also been associated with the cult film ëThe Blues Brothers’ – the place where Cab Calloway urges the bros to “get wise” and “get to church”.
Although some news reports confused the two buildings, this is not the same Pilgrim Baptist Church as that used as the “Triple Rock” church in the movie
The Blues Brothers, which stands on 91st Street several miles to the south.
Most famous is soul star James Brown’s over-the-top rendition of “The Old Landmark”. The scene pays homage to Chicago as the birthplace of gospel.
Ned Cramer, curator of the Chicago Architecture Foundation, said yesterday that the loss of the building was devastating.
“It’s like hearing a close relative has died or a good friend. It’s heartbreaking,” he declared to the BBC and other networks.
During the 1930s, the church’s congregation and music director, Thomas A Dorsey, merged blues and hymns, creating what became known as gospel music.
The choir featured stars such as Mahalia Jackson, James Cleveland and Sally Martin.
The church was replete with distinguished architectural features, such as ornamental designs, vaulted ceilings and grand acoustics, which made Sullivan and Adler famous.
It attracted hundreds of thousands of tourists, including those unfamiliar with the black gospel tradition.