Free screening of classic film “Flying Down to Rio” at Second Presbyterian Church

There will be a free screening of the classic film Flying Down to Rio (1933) at Second Presbyterian Church, 1936 South Michigan Avenue, Friday, February 17, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. The film features Long time church member Etta Moten Barnett (1901 –2004).

Etta Moten Barnett was an American actress and singer. She performed on stage in a revival of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, which became a signature role. On film she appeared in Pre-Code classics Ladies They Talk About (1933) starring Barbara Stanwyck and Gold Diggers of 1933 where she sang the classic “My Forgotten Man” with the film’s star Joan Blondell. In addition to appearing in films, her singing voice was dubbed for African American actress Theresa Harris in the film Professional Sweetheart starring Ginger Rogers (1933).

Flying Down to Rio features Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire in their first film together, although Dolores del Rio and Gene Raymond are top-billed. Moten Barnett sings “The Carioca” while Rogers and Astaire performs the dance of the same name.

Etta Moten Barnett

Besides her connection to Second Presbyterian Church, Moten Barnett was active in the National Council of Negro Women, the Chicago Lyric Opera, Field and DuSable Museums, and the South Side Community Center.

Barnett Moten died of pancreatic cancer in 2004 at the age of 102.

The screening of this film is A Black History Month Event presented in celebration of the 175th Anniversary of Second Presbyterian Church. Free popcorn and soft drinks will be served at the movie screening.

South Loop Farmers Market returns tomorrow

The South Loop Farmers Market located at 1936 S. Michigan Ave. (parking lot of Second Presbyterian Church) returns May 16, 2016. The market will be open every Thursday from 4 – 8 p.m. through October.

The market will feature a selection of 25-40 vendors selling fresh fruit, vegetables, plants, flowers, baked goods, meats, and some prepared foods. The market will also include weekly children’s activities and a monthly cultural performance program (education, literary, and music) in the sanctuary of Second Presbyterian Church.

19th Annual Benefit: A Walk Through Time

Sunday, June 12, 2016
House Walk from 1:00-4:00pm
Reception & Silent Auction from 4:00-5:00pm

Glessner House Museum
1800 S. Prairie Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616
$50 per person / $40 for members (coupon code required)

This very special tour provides attendees with the rare opportunity to visit the interiors of several historic homes in the Prairie Avenue Historic District. See beautifully carved wood moldings, leaded glass windows, fireplaces in elaborate tile, mosaic, and marble, and much more! Glessner House Museum is also included on the tour as well as historic Second Presbyterian Church with its landmarked Arts and Crafts interior and collection of Tiffany windows. Clarke House Museum will be open to the public for free that afternoon as well.  Following the tour, attendees are invited to return to the museum for a reception and silent auction, featuring theatre tickets, Chicago memorabilia, collectibles, architectural fragments, and other items of interest.

Glessner House Museum

Preview auction items (new or 2016!) and place absentee bids.

Absentee bids will be accepted from 9:00am on Monday June 6, 2016 through 5:00pm on Friday June 10, 2016. Bidding re-opens at 12:30pm on Sunday June 12 and closes at 4:45pm.

Kimball House

To purchase tour tickets, click here.

Free Sing-Along Messiah today at 3:30 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church

Tour the Mansions of Historic Prairie Avenue

Kimball and Coleman houses on S. Prairie Avenue

Sunday June 14, 2015
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Glessner House Museum
1800 S. Prairie Avenue
Chicago, IL
$50 per person/$45 members

This very special (annual) tour provides attendees with the rare opportunity to visit the interiors of several historic homes in the Prairie Avenue Historic District.

See the beautifully carved wood moldings, leaded glass windows, fireplaces in elaborate tile, mosaic, and marble, and much more! Glessner and Clarke House Museums are also included on the tour as well as historic Second Presbyterian Church with its landmarked Arts and Crafts interior and collection of Tiffany windows.

Following the tour, attendees are invited to return to the museum for a reception and silent auction, featuring theatre tickets, Chicago memorabilia, collectibles, architectural fragments, and other items of interest.

For reservations (recommended), please call 312.326.1480.

Second Presbyterian Church to Achieve Landmark Status

Only Church in Chicago to Achieve National Historic Landmark Recognition.
While other old Chicago churches have been razed, the Second Presbyterian Church of Chicago will celebrate its National Historic Landmark designation with a dedication ceremony. National Historic Landmark status, conferred by the U.S. Department of Interior and the National Park Service, reflects the church’s significance in American culture and history.

The interior is an example of the Arts and Crafts style.

WHY: The sanctuary of the church, dating to 1901, is one of the largest and best preserved Arts and Crafts interiors in the nation. It also contains a wealth of stained glass windows including nine by the firm of Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Founded in 1842, Second Presbyterian Church has been an important cultural institution and community center serving a multi-cultural congregation and community.

WHAT: National Historic Landmark Dedication for Second Presbyterian Church

WHEN: 6:00 p.m. June 20, 2013

WHERE: Second Presbyterian Church
               1936 S. Michigan Ave.
               Chicago, IL 60616

There is no charge for this event and everyone is invited to attend.

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.

NATO Summit comes to the South Loop

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know the NATO Summit (May 20-21) is coming to Chicago. What you probably don’t know is how this event will impact the neighborhood. NATO security team members took questions from an anxious audience at a recent meeting at Second Presbyterian Church on Monday, but many questions remain.

Perimeter leaked

Chicago will be the first American city other than
Washington to host a NATO Summit.

Tuesday the ACLU leaked information on the perimeter surrounding McCormick Place to be “locked down” as reported on ABC 7 News, although the perimeter details as reported have not been confirmed by the Secret Service. Based on what was said at Monday’s meeting, the perimeter could be somewhat fluid according to how events, including the planned marches and protests, play out.

2,000 journalists to cover Summit
According to the NATO website, besides the foreign dignitaries and protesters, there will be 2,000 journalists descending on the South Loop. With all the motorcades and the corresponding security details, periodic street closures will bring inconvenience for sure.

Expect to be inconvenienced
If you live in the South Loop and are planning to stay in the neighborhood, you’ll have to expect some disruption to your normal routine. Additionally, as pointed out at Monday’s meeting by the security consultants, you may want to make sure you have proper identification on hand, just in case you are asked to identify yourself. If you have to travel in and out of the South Loop, walking and public transportation is your best bet.

Keep current
To stay on top of news related to the Summit, keep checking the NATO Web site regularly for updates. You can also follow the Summit on Twitter @ChicagoNATO.

Around the South Loop and Chicago

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas all over Chicago. Most of the pictures have a holiday theme; it's hard to resist all the lights and colorful displays around the city. Chicago becomes a winter wonderland this time of year. You don't have to be five years old to get excited, do you?

The tree at the Palmer House Hilton

The doors at Second Presbyterian are all decked out.

The big one is camera shy, but dig the bandanna on the little guy.

Bicycle Station Lofts condo holiday party at Three Peas Art Lounge; Alderman Fioretti stopped by.

The Art Institute Lion is wearing his (lame) holiday solar wreath.

 

Check out the Chicago Hilton and Towers' tree above. It's in the lobby off of Michigan Ave. My only question is where did they put the clock that normally sits in this spot? I thought maybe they just put a hollow tree on top of it, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Does anyone know where the clock went? To see a picture of the clock in this spot, click here. You may have to scroll down a bit, but it's there, I promise.

What's more fun than ice skating during the holidays? Check out all the fun at the Millennium Park skating rink. The video below gives you a taste of what it's like.

Around the South Loop

Breakfast Burrito with chorizo at Little Branch Cafe...yum!

A rose grows in the South Loop: It may be fall, but it's still warm enough for this rose to bud.

The doors at Second Presbyterian Church

Donna's Cafe at 1255E S. State St. is "under construction" and opening soon, we hope.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Events in the South Loop

Sounds of the South Loop
Guitarist Fareed Haque will be performing in concert at Second Presbyterian Church of Chicago, 1936 S. Michigan Ave., Sunday October 3, 2010 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15; seniors and students $8. Tickets available at the door.

Fareed Haque

City Council Meeting
The next City Council meeting is October 6, 2010, City Hall, 2nd Floor 10 a.m.

GSLA Fall Classic
The Greater South Loop Association is hosting their Fall Classic on October 15, 2010, 7 p.m. at the historic Glessner House Museum. This GSLA event includes food, drink, music, and dancing. A donation of $15 includes 2 free drink tickets. For more information, visit the GSLA Web site. To print a flyer to post in your building, click here.

The GSLA Fall Classic will be held at the Glessner House Museum.

2nd Ward Clean & Green
Save the date: October 16, 2010. More details will be forthcoming.

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.

Gypsy-Jazz Band at Second Presbyterian Church

Alfonso Ponticelli and Swing Gitan, Chicago's premier gypsy-jazz band, will be apprearing Sunday May 23 at 3 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church, 1936, S. Michigan Ave.

Ticket prices are $15 for adults; seniors and students $8.

According to their Web site, the "group plays the 1930s-style music of guitarist Django Reinhardt--foot-tappin' swing played on acoustic instruments. It's a blend of the jubilant swing of early jazz with the feisty passion of gypsy music, plus a strong dose of guitar pyrotechnics and virtuosic improvisation."