Our History

“One of the oldest and revered churches in Chicago,” read the proclamation issued by Mayor Harold Washington on Progressive’s 62nd anniversary, declaring October 22, 1984 as “Progressive Community Center – The People’s Church Day in Chicago.” What might be taken as a generally true description of many churches in the city holds particularly true for Progressive.

Established in 1922, Progressive is not one of Chicago’s oldest, but it was one of the first two independent non-denominational African-American churches in America. Its founding came at a crossroads in time when many African-American churches remained tied to traditional post-Civil War white “mainline” denominations. Yet the post-World War I, Great Migration was bringing thousands of new congregants from the Deep South, yearning for new expressions of worship. It was from this unique mix of tradition and transformation that Progressive was born.

Under the leadership of its first pastor, Rev. Joseph A. Winters, Progressive, while now free of the bonds of denominational ties, held and still holds true to the fundamental beliefs in the Bible as God’s Word, the saving power of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the virtuous dignity of the traditional form of worship, while at the same time being open to the realities of a changing world and the active role of God’s Church in it. 

That openness was evident early on. In 1926, Progressive established the very first gospel chorus in America—six years before Thomas A. Dorsey would form his more widely recognized chorus at Pilgrim Baptist just to the north. Both Dorsey and Mahalia Jackson worshiped and performed at Progressive in the 1920s. Gospel music may have been born at Pilgrim, but it was conceived at Progressive.

Throughout its history, Progressive has stood at the forefront of social justice. In the 1920s, Rev. Winters opened the church’s doors to A. Philip Randolph to organize a local chapter of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. In the 1930s Rev. Winters had rocks thrown through the front door of his home on Calumet because of his leadership role in the elimination of gangs.

 In the 1960s, under Pastor William Knighten, Progressive served as a staging ground for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s marches into Marquette Park.

Under Rev. Dr. B. Herbert Martin, Sr., who began his tenure in 1981, Progressive became the spiritual home of Mayor Harold Washington until his passing in 1987. In the 1990s, Rev. Martin led the church in bold efforts to foster racial healing across community lines, even as Bronzeville and Grand Boulevard underwent dramatic changes. As the public housing towers came down and the neighborhood entered a new chapter, Progressive remained a steady and engaged presence—helping heal wounds and envision long-term solutions.

In November 2024, Progressive entered a new season with the installation of its fourth pastor, Rev. Tyrone McGowan. His leadership builds upon a rich legacy, guiding the church as it navigates both the enduring challenges and the exciting transformations taking place in our community today.

As we approach the third decade of the 21st century and celebrate our 103rd year at 48th and Wabash, we continue to seek God’s guidance to remain true to our founding mission: to be a dynamic voice for God’s work in the city of Chicago, maintaining the traditions of the African-American worship experience while welcoming the new, and above all knowing that though the winds of change blow all around, we are anchored in the vision and spirit of Jesus Christ.

Welcome to Chicago’s “Miracle on 48th Street.”