The Second Presbyterian Church: 150 Years as an Anchor in the South Loop

On November 30, 1873, the congregation of Second Presbyterian Church held the first service in its newly completed building on Michigan Avenue. At the time, membership included many of the social and business leaders of the city, who lived nearby on Michigan, Prairie, and Calumet avenues. There were many churches in the neighborhood, including First Presbyterian, just two blocks away. By the early 1900s, the character of the neighborhood shifted dramatically, and most of the families moved away. Churches chose to close their buildings and move to other parts of the city, but Second Presbyterian made a conscious decision to remain in its location and serve the shifting needs of new generations of residents. The congregation was integrated in the 1950s and formed close ties with nearby Chinatown. Today, the diverse congregation continues to reflect the community it has served for 150 years. This session explores the transformation of the neighborhood and how Second Presbyterian has remained a steady and constant presence in the ever-changing landscape of the South Loop.