Fourth Presbyterian Church

Location

126 E Chestnut St
Chicago, IL 60611

About

Since 1914, more than 8 million people have entered under the carved stone tympanum over the Michigan Avenue entrance to Fourth Presbyterian Church.

Most of the Sanctuary interior and the exterior of the Michigan Avenue frontage is “original,” looking just as it has looked for more than a century. The biggest exterior change was the 1995 addition of the Loggia, the light-filled gallery on the north side of the courtyard, effectively a gradual ramp that allows moving between street level and the Sanctuary without any stairs.

The Fourth Church congregation was founded in 1871 and occupied two earlier church buildings before moving to Michigan Avenue. The cornerstone for the current church was laid in 1912, and the building was dedicated in May 1914. Except for the Old Water Tower, Fourth Church is the oldest building on Michigan Avenue north of the Chicago River.