Black Panther Party Heritage Trail in Illinois
Site 13
Ward Chapel, A.M.E. Church
Photo: Portrait of Mark Clark, courtesy of Rose Clark Morris.
Site 13: Ward Chapel, A.M.E. Church
Ward Chapel, A.M.E. has had several locations since its founding in 1846 and has been in its present location since 1956. Photo: John Gay
Peoria, Illinois
Ward Chapel, A.M.E. Church stands as a unique site on the Black Panther Party Heritage Trail in Illinois.
When Mark Clark organized the Peoria branch of the Illinois Chapter, the FBI began visiting his family and friends. In 1969, Mark set out to start a Free Breakfast for Children program, but visits from the FBI scared away other churches. Ward Chapel is the only Peoria church that welcomed Mark and the Free Breakfast for Children program. Mark was assassinated with Illinois Deputy Chairman Fred Hampton on December 4, 1969, during an FBI- and Chicago Police-coordinated raid, and Ward Chapel continued his feeding program until the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the years, the program changed from Free Breakfast for Children to a general feeding program for anyone in need. In 2025, the church restarted the program.
Ward Chapel, even outside of the Black Panther Party, has its own renowned history. It is not only the oldest black church in Peoria, but also the oldest church in the city. Notable figures such as Fredrick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, and Fannie Lou Hamer have all visited Ward Chapel. The church was even the first to start educating black children in the 1850s and is considered Peoria’s first black school.
On Mark’s 78th birthday, June 28, 2025, Dr. Elaine Gordon, Ward Chapel’s first woman pastor, now retired, Pastor Cyrus Burns, the family of Mark Clark and the Historical Preservation Society held a Dedication Ceremony at Ward Chapel in Fellowship Hall, the same place where the Free Breakfast for Children was held.
Site 13
Name
Ward Chapel, A.M.E. Church
Location
511 North Richard Allen Drive, Peoria, IL 61605
Historical Period of Significance
1969-1975.
Original Structure
Yes.
Panther Activities
Free Breakfast for Children Program started by Peoria Defense Captain Mark Clark.
Historical Marker Installation Status
Installed.
Photos
Cover of the Black Panther newspaper, December 8, 1970. This issue was in honor of Fred Hampton and Mark Clark who were executed by police on December 4, 1969.
A January 17, 1970, article in the Black Panther newspaper described the coroner's inquest proceedings as unfair and a whitewashing of the assassination on December 4, 1969. The jury, the article explains, was composed of middle-class, white senior citizens who had no idea of the trials and tribulations of poor and oppressed black people.
An obituary for Mark Clark, published in the Black Panther newspaper issue dated December 27, 1969.
News clipping of Mrs. Fannie Clark, Mark's mother, and his sister, Rose. Image courtesy of Rose Clark Morris.
(l-r) Mark Clark's nephew, Casanova, and brother, John. On Mark’s 78th birthday, June 28, 2025, Dr. Elaine Gordon, Ward Chapel’s first woman pastor, now retired; Pastor Cyrus Burns; the family of Mark Clark; and the Historical Preservation Society held a Dedication Ceremony at Ward Chapel in Fellowship Hall, the same place where the Free Breakfast for Children was held. Photo courtesy of Trust for Public Land.
On Mark’s 78th birthday, June 28, 2025, Dr. Elaine Gordon (left), Ward Chapel’s first woman pastor, now retired, Pastor Cyrus Burns (right), the family of Mark Clark and the Historical Preservation Society held a Dedication Ceremony at Ward Chapel in Fellowship Hall, the same place where the Free Breakfast for Children was held. Photo courtesy of Trust for Public Land.
Descendants of Mark Clark. On Mark’s 78th birthday, June 28, 2025, Dr. Elaine Gordon, Ward Chapel’s first woman pastor, now retired; Pastor Cyrus Burns; the family of Mark Clark; and the Historical Preservation Society held a Dedication Ceremony at Ward Chapel in Fellowship Hall, the same place where the Free Breakfast for Children was held. Photo courtesy of Trust for Public Land.
Peoria Councilwoman. On Mark’s 78th birthday, June 28, 2025, Dr. Elaine Gordon, Ward Chapel’s first woman pastor, now retired; Pastor Cyrus Burns; the family of Mark Clark; and the Historical Preservation Society held a Dedication Ceremony at Ward Chapel in Fellowship Hall, the same place where the Free Breakfast for Children was held. Photo courtesy of Trust for Public Land.
Family of Mark Clark. On Mark’s 78th birthday, June 28, 2025, Dr. Elaine Gordon, Ward Chapel’s first woman pastor, now retired; Pastor Cyrus Burns; the family of Mark Clark; and the Historical Preservation Society held a Dedication Ceremony at Ward Chapel in Fellowship Hall, the same place where the Free Breakfast for Children was held. Photo courtesy of Trust for Public Land.
Mark Clark's sister, Patricia. On Mark’s 78th birthday, June 28, 2025, Dr. Elaine Gordon, Ward Chapel’s first woman pastor, now retired; Pastor Cyrus Burns; the family of Mark Clark; and the Historical Preservation Society held a Dedication Ceremony at Ward Chapel in Fellowship Hall, the same place where the Free Breakfast for Children was held. Photo courtesy of Trust for Public Land.
