Church leaders say the designation will help them initiate preservation efforts…
The Chicago church where Emmett Till’s funeral took place has been designated as a national endangered site. Due to the designation, the historical site will receive financial support toward restoration and preservation efforts.
The Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ located in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago has been listed by the Trust for Historic Preservation’s list of endangered historic sites for 2020, according to a report from The Chicago Sun Times.
Emmett Till, a Black youth, was murdered while visiting family in Money, Mississippi on August 28, 1955 after allegedly whistling at a white woman. His mangled body was recovered three days after his death in the Tallahatchie River. He was beaten beyond recognition, a fact that would later play a role in his mother’s decision to have an open casket at his funeral services.
“Mamie Till Mobley’s courage — and Roberts Temple’s willingness to open its doors to anyone who wanted to bear witness to the ravages of racial hatred — changed our nation forever. The National Trust believes that we must work together to ensure that this place, so important to our country’s history, is preserved to tell its powerful story for future generations,” Katherine Malone-France, the trust’s chief preservation officer, said.
Church leaders are currently working to evaluate the condition of the building and determine what structural work is needed for preservation.
“Though listed as a Chicago Landmark for its association with Emmett Till’s funeral, the church today has severe structural issues and is only minimally used by the congregation. To ensure long-term viability, the building needs rehabilitation funding and partnerships,” a spokesperson for the trust said.
