CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A plan to use the fire-gutted shell of Bronzeville's Pilgrim Baptist Church as a gospel music museum is about a year behind schedule, but the founder says the museum will open its doors in 2022.
WBBM's Steve Miller reports.
A year ago, the founder and chairman of the National Museum of Gospel Music, Don Jackson, said he would be breaking ground for the museum in September 2019.
Now, Jackson says groundbreaking on the site is another year away.
"We were really advised by the city to delay that, largely because of the new mayor coming aboard and to have her involved more," he said Monday.
Jackson says Mayor Lightfoot seems to be supportive, and residents are behind the museum.
"The community support continues to grow, and the gospel music community and industry continues to grow behind our project. They are all on board."
Instead of breaking ground next month, as originally planned, Jackson says they'll offer a free gospel concert. The Pilgrim Baptist Church site will be blessed and consecrated.
Much of Pilgrim Baptist Church – designed by Adler and Sullivan -- was destroyed by the fire 13 years ago. Metal framework has been supporting what's left of the architecturally significant structure.
