Second Presbyterian enters the 21rst century with new sign

New electronic sign in front of Second Presbyterian
Church asks a provocative question.

Have you noticed the new electronic sign at Second Presbyterian Church, 1936 S. Michigan Ave.? The church was dedicated, according to Second Presbyterian’s Web site, in 1874.

Designed by architect James Renwick, who also designed Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, the church roof and interior was damaged by fire in 1900. It was rebuilt by architect Howard Van Doren Shaw. Shaw enlisted friend and fellow Prairie Avenue resident Frederic Clay Bartlett to help with the interior design. The original Gothic interior was replaced with decorations heavily influenced by the British and American Arts and Crafts movement.

The church, as it stands today, looks pretty much as it did when rebuilt, with the exception of a wood steeple that blew down in a storm. The church has some pretty impressive artwork inside, including stained glass windows by Louis C. Tiffany, Healy and Millet, William Fair Kline, and Sir Edward Burne-Jones.

Beautiful Michigan Ave. entrance to
Second Presbyterian

What do you think of the electronic sign? Does it fit in with a structure built in the 19th century and listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1974) and designated as a Chicago Landmark (1977)?

If you’re interested in learning more about this historic church, visit the Friends of Historic Second Church Web site.

Second Presbyterian: A Chicago and South Loop Landmark

South Loop and Chicago History

As far as Chicago history goes, the South Loop has been a major player, going back to the early nineteenth century. Henry and Caroline Clarke built their home in 1836, near 16th St. and S. Michigan Ave. Their house, the oldest in Chicago, is now a museum located at 1827 S. Indiana Ave. But there is another historic building in Chicago that few residents are familiar with.

Nineteenth Century Gothic

Second Presbyterian Church at 1936 S. Michigan is a Chicago landmark, receiving that status officially in 1973. Designed by James Renwick, the same man who designed St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. Second Presbyterian was completed in 1874 and resembled gothic churches in England built during the 15th century.

For many years, Second Presbyterian was the house of worship for many prominent Prairie Ave. residents, including architect Howard Van Doren Shaw and artist Frederic Clay Bartlett. When the church was nearly destroyed in a fire in 1900, both Shaw and Bartlett helped to rebuild and restore it.

Tiffany and Company

What comes as a big surprise to many South Loop residents is the fact that Second Presbyterian houses nine Tiffany and two rare Edward Burne-Jones windows. The Burne-Jones windows were made in the William Morris Arts and Craft Studio in England. As a docent for the Glessner House, 1800 S. Prairie Ave., I know visitors from UK are pleasantly surprised to see Burne-Jones stained glass windows in an American church.

Second Presbyterian Church gives regularly scheduled  tours of the church sanctuary where you can see the Tiffany and Burne-Jones windows up close. For tour information, including free tours on Wednesdays, please check their Web site.