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Stone blocks are clustered in front of a sign at the site of the former Pilgrim Baptist Church, and planned home of the National Museum of Gospel Music, 3301 S. Indiana Ave., in Chicago.
John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune
Stone blocks are clustered in front of a sign at the site of the former Pilgrim Baptist Church, and planned home of the National Museum of Gospel Music, 3301 S. Indiana Ave., in Chicago.

Pilgrim Baptist Church through the years

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A construction entrance leads to the interior of the planned National Museum of Gospel Music, the former site of Pilgrim Baptist Church, on June 22, 2022, in Chicago.
A construction entrance leads to the interior of the planned National Museum of Gospel Music, the former site of Pilgrim Baptist Church, on June 22, 2022, in Chicago.
Scaffolding and support beams surround the planned National Museum of Gospel Music, the former site of Pilgrim Baptist Church, 3301 S. Indiana Ave., on June 22, 2022.
Scaffolding and support beams surround the planned National Museum of Gospel Music, the former site of Pilgrim Baptist Church, 3301 S. Indiana Ave., on June 22, 2022.
Stone blocks are clustered in front of a sign at the site of the former Pilgrim Baptist Church, and planned home of the National Museum of Gospel Music, 3301 S. Indiana Ave., in Chicago.
Stone blocks are clustered in front of a sign at the site of the former Pilgrim Baptist Church, and planned home of the National Museum of Gospel Music, 3301 S. Indiana Ave., in Chicago.
Lady Lavarnga Hubbard, center, dances as music plays before ministers bless the Pilgrim Baptist Church site on Sept. 26, 2019.
Lady Lavarnga Hubbard, center, dances as music plays before ministers bless the Pilgrim Baptist Church site on Sept. 26, 2019.
Ministers gather to bless the corner of 33rd Street and Indiana Avenue in Chicago where the historic Pilgrim Baptist Church is located on Sept. 26, 2019. The National Museum of Gospel Music is planned for the site.
Ministers gather to bless the corner of 33rd Street and Indiana Avenue in Chicago where the historic Pilgrim Baptist Church is located on Sept. 26, 2019. The National Museum of Gospel Music is planned for the site.
Church member Cynthia Jones stands in front of old Pilgrim Baptist Church, 3301 S. Indiana Ave., in Chicago on April 17, 2019. A fire ravaged the church in 2006.
Church member Cynthia Jones stands in front of old Pilgrim Baptist Church, 3301 S. Indiana Ave., in Chicago on April 17, 2019. A fire ravaged the church in 2006.
The old Pilgrim Baptist Church, left, and the current one on S. Indiana Ave. in Chicago are shown on April 17, 2019. A fire ravaged the old church in 2006.
The old Pilgrim Baptist Church, left, and the current one on S. Indiana Ave. in Chicago are shown on April 17, 2019. A fire ravaged the old church in 2006.
With the old Pilgrim Baptist Church in the background, congregation members walk through the door of the current building on S. Indiana Ave. in Chicago on April 17, 2019.
With the old Pilgrim Baptist Church in the background, congregation members walk through the door of the current building on S. Indiana Ave. in Chicago on April 17, 2019.
Pilgrim Baptist Church choir director Sheryl Youngblood leads practice in Chicago on April 17, 2019.
Pilgrim Baptist Church choir director Sheryl Youngblood leads practice in Chicago on April 17, 2019.
Church member Cynthia Jones views historic images of the old Pilgrim Baptist Church on S. Indiana Ave. in Chicago on April 17, 2019. The photograph on the left if from 1964 and other shows congregation members outside the church on Easter in 1941.
Church member Cynthia Jones views historic images of the old Pilgrim Baptist Church on S. Indiana Ave. in Chicago on April 17, 2019. The photograph on the left if from 1964 and other shows congregation members outside the church on Easter in 1941.
Pilgrim Baptist Church choir director Sheryl Youngblood leads practice on April 17, 2019.
Pilgrim Baptist Church choir director Sheryl Youngblood leads practice on April 17, 2019.
The 1890 cornerstone of the old Pilgrim Baptist Church is shown on April 17, 2019. The building completed in 1891 was originally a Jewish synagogue; later it became Pilgrim Baptist Church.
The 1890 cornerstone of the old Pilgrim Baptist Church is shown on April 17, 2019. The building completed in 1891 was originally a Jewish synagogue; later it became Pilgrim Baptist Church.
A reflection seen in the doors of Pilgrim Baptist Church's temporary site, 3300 S. Indiana Ave., shows the former church building across the street supported by steel bracing on July 22, 2015. There is little visible progress toward rebuilding the historic church.
A reflection seen in the doors of Pilgrim Baptist Church’s temporary site, 3300 S. Indiana Ave., shows the former church building across the street supported by steel bracing on July 22, 2015. There is little visible progress toward rebuilding the historic church.
An early postcard shows Pilgrim Baptist Church at 33rd Street and Indiana Avenue in Bronzeville.
An early postcard shows Pilgrim Baptist Church at 33rd Street and Indiana Avenue in Bronzeville.
In this undated photo provided by the Illinois Institute of Technology, the ceiling of the historic Pilgrim Baptist Church in Chicago is seen. The roof was lost and the building nearly demolished by a 2006 fire.
In this undated photo provided by the Illinois Institute of Technology, the ceiling of the historic Pilgrim Baptist Church in Chicago is seen. The roof was lost and the building nearly demolished by a 2006 fire.
Former heavyweight champion Jack Johnson's coffin is carried from his funeral service at Pilgrim Baptist Church on South Indiana Avenue in 1946.
Former heavyweight champion Jack Johnson’s coffin is carried from his funeral service at Pilgrim Baptist Church on South Indiana Avenue in 1946.
A 1966 photo shows an interior view of Pilgrim Baptist Church during a service.
A 1966 photo shows an interior view of Pilgrim Baptist Church during a service.
Firefighters battle a blaze at Pilgrim Baptist Church on Jan. 6, 2006, at 33rd Street and Indiana Avenue. Workers making roof repairs accidentally started the fire.
Firefighters battle a blaze at Pilgrim Baptist Church on Jan. 6, 2006, at 33rd Street and Indiana Avenue. Workers making roof repairs accidentally started the fire.
Pilgrim Baptist Church is engulfed in flames Jan. 6, 2006, at 33rd Street and Indiana Avenue on Chicago's South Side. Nearly a decade after the fire, the church has yet to be rebuilt.
Pilgrim Baptist Church is engulfed in flames Jan. 6, 2006, at 33rd Street and Indiana Avenue on Chicago’s South Side. Nearly a decade after the fire, the church has yet to be rebuilt.
Then-Ald. Madeline Haithcock, 2nd, far right in group, and church members embrace Jan. 6, 2006, outside the fire at Pilgrim Baptist Church at 33rd Street and Indiana Avenue in Chicago.
Then-Ald. Madeline Haithcock, 2nd, far right in group, and church members embrace Jan. 6, 2006, outside the fire at Pilgrim Baptist Church at 33rd Street and Indiana Avenue in Chicago.
The shell of Pilgrim Baptist Church is seen Jan. 9, 2006, after the multi-alarm fire destroyed much of the building.
The shell of Pilgrim Baptist Church is seen Jan. 9, 2006, after the multi-alarm fire destroyed much of the building.
Steel bracing supports the walls of Pilgrim Baptist Church on July 22, 2015. Neighborhood residents complain that the bracing blocks the sidewalk. There is little visible progress toward rebuilding the church at 33rd Street and Indiana Avenue.
Steel bracing supports the walls of Pilgrim Baptist Church on July 22, 2015. Neighborhood residents complain that the bracing blocks the sidewalk. There is little visible progress toward rebuilding the church at 33rd Street and Indiana Avenue.
The cornerstone of the fire-damaged Pilgrim Baptist Church on East 33rd Street is seen July 1, 2015. The building's limestone walls are stabilized by steel braces.
The cornerstone of the fire-damaged Pilgrim Baptist Church on East 33rd Street is seen July 1, 2015. The building’s limestone walls are stabilized by steel braces.
There is little visible progress in the rebuilding of Pilgrim Baptist Church, seen at 33rd Street and Indiana Avenue on July 22, 2015.
There is little visible progress in the rebuilding of Pilgrim Baptist Church, seen at 33rd Street and Indiana Avenue on July 22, 2015.
From the east, the empty interior of Pilgrim Baptist Church can be seen on July 22, 2015. The historic church at 33rd Street and Indiana Avenue was destroyed by fire nearly 10 years ago and still has not been rebuilt.
From the east, the empty interior of Pilgrim Baptist Church can be seen on July 22, 2015. The historic church at 33rd Street and Indiana Avenue was destroyed by fire nearly 10 years ago and still has not been rebuilt.
Steel bracing supports the limestone walls of Pilgrim Baptist Church on East 33rd Street on July 1, 2015. Hopes for a restoration of the building, originally a Jewish synagogue, have faded.
Steel bracing supports the limestone walls of Pilgrim Baptist Church on East 33rd Street on July 1, 2015. Hopes for a restoration of the building, originally a Jewish synagogue, have faded.
A side view taken July 1, 2015, shows what remains of Pilgrim Baptist Church at the corner of 33rd Street and Indiana Avenue.
A side view taken July 1, 2015, shows what remains of Pilgrim Baptist Church at the corner of 33rd Street and Indiana Avenue.
Members of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses celebrate its 75th anniversary with a visit on Aug. 3, 2008, to the ruins of Pilgrim Baptist Church, 3300 S. Indiana Ave. in Chicago.
Members of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses celebrate its 75th anniversary with a visit on Aug. 3, 2008, to the ruins of Pilgrim Baptist Church, 3300 S. Indiana Ave. in Chicago.

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