CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- As demolition went on behind them today, members of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church and their supporters vowed today to rebuild the burned-down church in the Englewood community.
Antioch Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Gerald Dew said the new church will be built on the site of the old church.
“We’re not going to raise it up in another community. We’re going to raise it up right here, because our assignment is to Englewood.”
Dew said a ribbon-cutting on a new building could happen in two years.
He also said the church does have insurance, but does not know how much it will cost to rebuild it. A fundraising committee will be convening Friday, but people can still donate now online through the church’s website.
Dew said the church has “a large footprint” and that Antioch's leaders will be reaching out across the country to people who have been touched by the church over the years to help in its rebuilding.
As for future services, they’ll be held across the street in the auditorium of a charter school, Urban Prep High School.
“That will more than likely be our permanent temporary, temporary permanent worship space until we raise this building up,” said Dew.
The beautiful mural inside the church will have to be torn down but, the pastor offers the possibility that the twin brothers from Twin Hicks Studio who updated the mural may be able to recreate something similar but smaller.
Every part of the current building except one thing will have to be torn down.
“I think they’re only going to save the sign that’s outside with the cross, the sign that’s in the shape of a cross," Dew said. "That sign was gently removed by a crane from the entryway to the building this morning."
Pastor Walter Turner of the New Spiritual Light Missionary Baptist Church in South Shore was among ministers who came out in support of rebuilding Antioch.
“This is a church that many of us have been mentored to know what social justice ministry was all about,” he said.
Pastor Ira Acree of the Greater St. John Bible Church on the West Side said he was humbled to stand in support of Antioch.
“We’re encouraging all churches to help. We have already sent out an email to all of the pastors who are part of our social justice organization to get ready to support the rebuilding of Antioch.”
Congressman Bobby Rush told those gathered that, “Antioch represents the best of us all, the best of this community.”
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