Summerdale Community Church

The entry window at Summerdale Community Church (it was originally Summerdale Congregational Church)

Even though we’re moving forward with an AiSP pilot in Logan Square we are still surveying and visiting churches throughout the city. Yesterday I had the pleasure of visiting Summerdale Community Church, a historic church in the Andersonville neighborhood. Summerdale is a unique example of an architectural style that is not often found in Chicago - Carpenter Gothic complete with stick style ceiling and art glass windows. Pastor Ann James was nice enough to show me around and talk a little bit about AiSP. Pastor Ann knows more than a little bit about the space needs of artists – she is an actor and a founding member of Chicspeare – a theatre company specializing in Shakespeare that also produces educational programming.

The sanctuary at Summerdale

The church has two main spaces – a basement and the sanctuary. The basement has a small stage, kitchen, dining area and an office but the main portion is an open space where rehearsal for dance or theatre could take place. The sanctuary is beautiful and austere – the ceiling is an amazing stick style ceiling, which is completed by the colorful and geometric stained glass windows. There are pews in the space but they are not original and Pastor Ann is open to their moving or removal. Many of the pieces of furniture on the alter are movable. The space is surprisingly flexible for a sanctuary and has many cool original architectural features like the ceiling and sliding wooden doors to separate the Sunday school. The sanctuary could be an amazing performance space for music or other disciplines.

Pastor Ann’s enthusiasm for the arts and the inspiring space in Summerdale makes them a great possible site for AiSP.

Click here to learn more about Chicspeare and Summerdale Community Church