City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development
01/21/2026 | Press release | Archived content
Austin's Original Providence Baptist Church Proposed for Landmark Designation
Austin's Original Providence Baptist Church Proposed for Landmark Designation
January 21, 2026
312.744.9267
Austin's Original Providence Baptist Church would be designated as an official Chicago landmark under a proposal introduced to City Council today.
Designed by architects Brown, Burton & Davis, the church building was constructed in 1902 by the First Baptist Church of Austin, with an attached school building added in 1928. Both buildings include Gothic Revival and Tudor Revival elements.
The building has served as the home for Original Providence Baptist Church congregation since 1971. The congregation was founded by former slaves in 1866, making it the third-oldest Black church in Chicago.
The designation would protect all exterior elevations of the church and school buildings.
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