Salem Baptist Church (Chicago)

Salem Baptist Church
Salem Baptist Church
Location752 East 114th Street
Chicago, Illinois
CountryUnited States
DenominationBaptist
Websitesalemchicago.org
History
Founded1985
FounderJames Meeks

The Salem Baptist Church is a Baptist megachurch located at 752 E 114th Street in the Pullman neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, United States. The senior pastor is Charlie Dates.

History

In 1985, James Meeks, pastor of Beth Eden Baptist Church in Chicago, shared the vision of founding a new church in a sermon.[1][2] After a meeting with 205 members that same day, the church was founded.[3]

The new congregation held its first services January 20, 1985 at 8201 South Jeffrey Boulevard and remained at this location for five-years.[4][5]

In 2004, it had 17,000 members. [6]

On January 8, 2023, after 38 years of service Pastor Meeks retired, Charlie Dates succeeded him as senior pastor.[7]

In April 2023, GLAAD pointed out that Meeks had in fact made homophobic remarks at the church during his time as head pastor.[8]

House of Hope

In 2005, it dedicated the House of Hope, a new building including a 10,000-seat auditorium.[9] The venue has 203,000 sq ft (19,000 m2) of usable space.[10][11]

On March 6, 2026, the House of Hope provided a celebration of life service for Rev. Jesse Jackson.[12][13][14]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Monica Davey, AT THE CROSSROADS: A NEIGHBORHOOD, A CHURCH AND A PASTOR, chicagotribune.com, USA, April 6, 1999
  2. ↑ Randall Herbert Balmer, Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism: Revised and expanded edition, Baylor University Press, USA, 2004, p. 444
  3. ↑ Monica Davey, AT THE CROSSROADS: A NEIGHBORHOOD, A CHURCH AND A PASTOR, chicagotribune.com, USA, April 6, 1999
  4. ↑ Monica Davey, AT THE CROSSROADS: A NEIGHBORHOOD, A CHURCH AND A PASTOR, chicagotribune.com, USA, April 6, 1999
  5. ↑ Bob Smietana, MegaShepherd, christianitytoday.com, USA, February 1, 2004
  6. ↑ Bob Smietana, MegaShepherd, christianitytoday.com, USA, February 1, 2004
  7. ↑ Jeramie Bizzle, Rev. James Meeks, founder and senior pastor of Salem Baptist Church, retiring after 38 years of ministry, cbsnews.com, USA, January 9, 2023
  8. ↑ "James Meeks". GLAAD. April 21, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  9. ↑ Manya A. Brachear, Meeks' mega-church ready for its debut, chicagotribune.com, USA, July 1, 2005
  10. ↑ "Chicago megachurch opens doors for 10,000". USA Today. Associated Press. July 4, 2005. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  11. ↑ Bill J. Leonard, Baptists in America, Columbia University Press, USA, 2005, p. 2
  12. ↑ "Fmr. Presidents Obama, Clinton & Biden Attend Rev. Jesse Jackson Memorial Service". C-SPAN. March 6, 2026. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  13. ↑ "In Memory of Reverend Louis Jackson Sr. Sunrise: October 8, 1941. Sunset: February 17, 2026". jessejacksonlegacy.com. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  14. ↑ Masterson, Matt (February 19, 2026). "Funeral Services Set for Civil Rights Icon Jesse Jackson". WTTW. Retrieved February 22, 2026.

41°41′17.0″N 87°36′13.7″W / 41.688056°N 87.603806°W / 41.688056; -87.603806


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