National Trust Grant Aids Preservation of St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church in East Chicago, Indiana

St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church in East Chicago, Indiana, has received a $150,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Getty Foundation. The funds will support the congregation’s efforts to develop a plan for repairing and restoring the 53-year-old building, designed by late Chicago architect Wendell Campbell. The church, located at 4200 Alder St., is a notable example of modernist architecture blending Neo-Expressionism with 1970s futurism.

The grant provides an opportunity for the congregation to assess the building’s current condition and create a roadmap for its preservation. Brandon Bibby, a senior preservation architect with the National Trust’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, emphasized the importance of this step in safeguarding the structure. The church, still visually striking, is showing signs of aging, and the grant will aid in addressing these challenges.

Architect Kurt Garner, who assisted the congregation in listing the church on the National Register of Historic Places in 2023, expressed his satisfaction with the grant. He noted the uniqueness of the building’s design, which reflects both sophistication and symbolic meaning. The church’s sanctuary, inspired by the shape of praying hands, is a signature feature of the complex.

Built in 1973, St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church is one of the finest works of Wendell Campbell’s 50-year career. The church complex includes a fellowship hall, classrooms, and offices, with the sanctuary serving as its most distinctive element. The building’s design and historical significance make it a valuable asset to the community and a testament to Campbell’s contributions to architecture.

The congregation applied for the grant, though officials did not return calls seeking comment. The National Trust’s support underscores the importance of preserving culturally significant structures, particularly those designed by Black architects. This grant represents a critical step in ensuring the church’s legacy endures for future generations.

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