Kehilath Anshe Ma'ariv Synagogue
Also known as: Pilgrim Baptist Church
Why it's listed
Built for Kehilath Anshe Ma'ariv, the oldest Jewish congregation in the Northwest, this building at 3301 South Indiana Avenue in Chicago was dedicated on June 11, 1891. It was the congregation's fourth home and was designed by Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan. Lack of funds meant that planned ashlar masonry gave way to rusticated Joliet stone on the north and west walls, brick on the south and east, and a decorative sheet metal clerestory under a steep roof. The second-floor auditorium is the main interior space. Adler, known as an acoustical engineer, gave it outstanding acoustics, and Sullivan's ornament there remains in its original condition and marks the start of his mature style. The building is considered the firm's last work in its transitional style, completed shortly before the Wainwright Building. It now houses Pilgrim Baptist Church, with a choir stand and baptistry at the east end and few other alterations.
Significance in brief: It is one of the few remaining buildings by the firm of Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan and the last in their transitional style before their mature work. Its auditorium is notable for Adler's acoustics and Sullivan's ornament. It is also a landmark in ecclesiastical architecture and in Jewish history.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 73000696, listed April 26, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 3301 S. Indiana Ave., Chicago |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | April 26, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73000696 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1890-91 |
| Architect / builder | Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan (Adler and Sullivan) |
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in use as a church; condition marked excellent. Interior largely original, with a ramp replacing a stairway, a moved wall, and a choir stand and baptistry added at the east end. |
| Acreage | 0.7 |
| Coordinates | 41.83447, -87.62227 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 73000696.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7193921
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.