Black Panther Party Heritage Trail in Illinois
Site 5
the People’s Church, Church of the Epiphany
Photo: January 1969. Panthers listen to Fred Hampton speak at the People’s Church. Photo by Paul Sequeira / Getty Images.
Site 5: Church of the Epiphany
Chicago Public School students converge on the People’s Church after a Free Bobby Seale rally downtown organized by the Panthers on April 12, 1970. Photographer Duane Hall, ST-19030996-0015, Chicago Sun-Times collection, Chicago History Museum
Site 5
Name
Church of the Epiphany, “The People’s Church.” Now, Epiphany Center for the Arts.
Location
201 S. Ashland, Chicago, IL, 60607, Near West Side, West Loop
Historical Period of Significance
1969-1974.
Original Structure
Yes.
Panther Activities
Meetings
Rallies
Press Conferences
Free Breakfast for Children Program
Political Education
Historical Marker Installation Status
Not yet installed.
PHOTOS
Reverend Rempfer Whitehouse led the Church of the Epiphany beginning in 1962. He was very active in the community and allowed controversial meetings and groups to congregate at the church. Students for a Democratic Society held their meetings there and opened the door for the Illinois Chapter to do the same. The photograph is from Reverend Whitehouse's obituary.
Fred Hampton led a Party meeting at the People's Church in August 1969. The Deputy Chairman had just been released from Menard Prison on an appeal bond. His appeal would later be denied, and he received a 2-5 year prison term but was assassinated before it was time to turn himself in. Photo is from the documentary, "The Murder of Fred Hampton," made available by Chicago Film Archives.
On December 6, 1969, two days after Deputy Chairman Fred Hampton and Defense Captain Mark Clark were assassinated, the Illinois Chapter held a rally at the People's Church. Photo: Walter Kale, Chicago Tribune
On April 12, 1970, Chicago Public School students participated in a Free Bobby Seale rally organized by the Panthers at Federal Plaza. After the downtown rally, the crowd marched to the People's Church for a meeting. Photo: Duane Hall ST-19030996-0009, Chicago Sun-Times collection, Chicago History Museum
Church of the Epiphany allowed controversial meetings and discussions, including anti-draft meetings, as pictured on January 14, 1968. Photo: ST-15001631-0029, Chicago Sun-Times collection, Chicago History Museum
Press Conference at the People's Church, December 11, 1969. A week after Deputy Chairman Fred Hampton and Defense Captain Mark Clark were killed in a pre-planned assassination, Deputy Minister of Defense Bobby Rush led a press conference to dispute State's Attorney Edward Hanrahan and his police unit's version of the December 4 raid. Photo: (l-r) unknown, Minister of Information Chaka Walls, Deputy Minister of Defense Bobby Rush, rear unknown, Panther Bradley Greene. Photographer John H. White, ST-19020329-0022, Chicago Sun-Times collection, Chicago History Museum
On April 12, 1970, Chicago Public School students participated in a Free Bobby Seale rally and to protest racism in schools, organized by the Panthers at Federal Plaza. After the downtown rally, the crowd marched to the People's Church for a meeting, attracting a large police presence. Photographer Duane Hall ST-19030996-0017, Chicago Sun-Times collection, Chicago History Museum
A group of Illinois Chapter Black Panthers listen to Fred Hampton at the People's Church on January 1, 1969. Names are still being researched. From right is Homer Cunningham and Ralph Bostick. Photo: Paul Sequeira / Getty Images
In 1996, developers David Chase and Kimberly Rachal were married at the Church of the Epiphany and bought the building 21 years later. It is now Epiphany For the Good of Art, Entertainment and Events, featuring six art galleries and four live music venues, and any room or the entire property can be rented for private events. Epiphany was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998 and is the first building to be listed under the Black Panther Party in Illinois Thematic Listing. The original architecture and interior features where the Panthers held meetings remain beautifully intact.
