Plans are underway to establish the National Museum of Gospel Music right here in Chicago by the Fall of 2020. It will be located at 3301 S. Indiana in the Bronzeville neighborhood – on the grounds of where the historic Pilgrim Baptist Church once stood. The church was destroyed in a fire in 2006. It is completely fitting that the Gospel Music Museum should be located there, because the church played an important part in the history of gospel music. Pilgrim Church’s longtime music director, Thomas A. Dorsey was known as the Father of Gospel Music. He was a former blues pianist that created a genre of gospel music by blending jazz and blues with Christian hymns of praise. Famous gospel and blues singers like Mahalia Jackson, Staples Singers, Aretha Franklin and James Cleveland performed at the church.
The project is being undertaken by Don Jackson, CEO of Central City Productions, Inc. Jackson is also the founder of Stellar Gospel Music Awards and has served as board chairman of the DuSable Museum. It will be a 45,000 square foot facility that is projected to cost $32 million to build. Architect Dirk Lohan said they will salvage the 127 year old limestone shell from the original structure of the Pilgrim Baptist Church.
The museum will offer exhibits, a research library, an auditorium, a cafe and a retail store.
Old Pilgrim Baptist Church
Future National Museum of Gospel Music
