History Page 1

Text Box: Freedom Temple Church Of God In Christ had its humble beginning in the basement of the home of Brother and Sister Baird, in the last week of June 1957.
From this place of worship, the little church family moved to 5940 S. Halsted Street into a storefront that God seemingly had ordained for a church: for the Lord had spoken to Pastor Marshall directing him to the Englewood area. When inquiry was made about this location, the owner expressed his desire that a church would be there, for his storefront had remained vacant two years because he had refused to rent it for a tavern. This place of worship was dedicated as a new church by Bishop John O. Mason on July 29, 1957.
God immediately began moving in favor of our little church. A friend of Pastor Marshall purchased (100) one hundred chairs and a desk for the church. The late Brother Samuel Martin of Martin’s Funeral Home built the lectern. A Caucasian brother saw the storefront church and gave the church the piano from his living room. A shopping bag full of new bibles and a microphone and stand was found at the door of the church and to this day the donor remains anonymous.
After eight years of toiling, on Thanksgiving Day 1965, the Lord blessed Freedom Temple to move into its present location which has a seating capacity of 985. Special commendation goes to the late Deacon Isaac Love and the late Elder Lucious White, for when they looked at the building, they reported back to Pastor Marshall, “That we have found the church and truly it was the Lord!”
The Lord blessed us to purchase the building by acquiring a sufficient mortgage. We thank God for the many dedicated members and friends that made it possible for Freedom Temple to pay its last note on October 29, 1976.
Yes, the mortgage was paid out three years and ten months ahead of time. The mortgage burning was held on Thanksgiving Day, the 25th of November, 1976. To God be the Glory!
The Lord has blessed Freedom Temple tremendously. We have moved into our new edifice at 1459 West 74th Street (74th and Ashland), Chicago, Illinois, 60636. Our new church seats over 1,200 and has within its confines a daycare center, a fitness center, gymnasium, and facilities for the elderly.
Our old facility, located at 6028 S. Champlain, Chicago, Illinois, is currently for sale. For further information regarding this transaction, please contact us.
Freedom Temple stands today as a haven of rest in its community; providing counsel as a church where anyone can feel comfortable from the professional to the down trodden. We welcome all races, creeds, and genders from every walk of life.

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