EAST CHICAGO, INDIANA (December 30)— East Chicago’s St. Mark AME Zion Church has recently been designated a National and State of Indiana Historic Landmark by the Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology. The effort to recognize East Chicago’s architecturally significance came to fruition when word was received this fall, that the uniquely designed building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Work began in 2023 when Indiana Landmarks’ Northwest Regional staff, Blake Swihart, met with representatives from the church to determine its eligibility for the honorary status. By that fall, Kurt West Garner of K. W. Garner Consulting was contracted to submit a nomination for the congregation to the state historic preservation office. Funding for the work was contributed by Indiana Landmark’s Black Heritage Preservation Program. The process at the state level takes about 18 months to work through reviews, the final one occurred on July 16, at which time the church building received a recommendation for listing to the National Park Service, keeper of the National Register.
St. Mark A. M. E. Zion Church is a Neo-expressionist example of religious architecture by prominent mid-20th century African American architect, Wendell Campbell, a native of East Chicago. The African Methodist Episcopal congregation organized in 1916 and constructed a building at 140th and Deodar Streets in 1917. The origins of St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church are tied to the great migration of African Americans from the South to East Chicago.
At first, the congregants met in the old brickyard quarters of East Chicago and moved to several locations as the small group of Zionites grew over the years. After several years worshipping on Deodor Street, the congregation contacted Wendell Campbell to design a new house of worship that was built in 1973. The building features a two-story block with classrooms, fellowship hall, and offices and a remarkable sanctuary Campbell likened to hands folded in prayer with a multi-folded plate roof that is expressed inside the sanctuary.
“The Rev. Dr. Saint Clair Williams who led St. Mark in this audacious building project was a visionary without question. His impact visibly remains. I was honored to serve this congregation for 22 years (2003-2025) and was pleased to escort them to this moment. The faithful members and their continued love and commitment for God and community made it happen, stated Rev. George W.C. Walker, Jr. former pastor of St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church.
The National Register of Historic Places is a function of the National Historic Preservation Act, established in 1966, to recognize sites and buildings that are important to our heritage. The program provides for rehabilitation tax credits and grants for qualifying work to homeowners and for-profit and non-profit entities, including churches and municipalities.
Indiana Landmarks described Wendell Campbell as “one of the twentieth century’s most influential Black architects. He has contributed to major projects such as the McCormick Place, DuSable Museum of African American History.
“To witness this historic moment is humbling on so many levels. I accepted my call to ministry in this epic sanctuary some 25+ years ago. And to now have St. Mark-EC have its beauty receive such a prestigious honor, showcases the breath of talent that was birthed from this very community; this is beyond phenomenal and serves as a beacon and confirms we are history makers,” shares Rev. Dr. Derrick T. Simmons, Sr., pastor of St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church and presiding elder of the Advancing Chicago District.
The historical site designation requires a significant investment to fully restore and maintain the church’s structure to optimal condition. With a goal of 1.6M, St. Mark has an ongoing capital fundraising campaign designated as “Raise the Roof.” Donations are welcomed and may be given electronically through Givlify.com and selection the organization — St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church, 4200 Alder Street in East Chicago, IN. Donors can indicate the campaign name and 100 percent of the donation will be appropriately designated.
About St. Mark AME Zion Church
St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church – East Chicago is one of the oldest houses of worship in NWI and is considered the lighthouse of the Harbor. St. Mark is a 501C3 organization. The church building designed by famed architect Wendell Campbell in 1973 and named to the National Registry of Historic Places. It has served the East Chicago community for more than 100 years with several outreach ministries including a monthly food bank, and health ministries. Weekly Sunday School is at 8:30 a.m. followed by worship service at 10:00 a.m. Dr. Derrick T. Simmons, Sr. serves as the pastor and teacher alongside him is First Lady Sis. Debra Simmons.
St. Mark was recently featured in a documentary by Regionology.
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