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Salem Baptist Church (Chicago)

Coordinates: 41°41′17.0″N 87°36′13.7″W / 41.688056°N 87.603806°W / 41.688056; -87.603806
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Salem Baptist Church
Map
Location752 East 114th Street
Chicago, Illinois
CountryUnited States
DenominationBaptist
Websitesalemchicago.org
History
Founded1985
Founder(s)James Meeks
Clergy
Senior pastor(s)Charlie Dates

The Salem Baptist Church is a Baptist megachurch located at 752 E 114th Street in the Pullman neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, United States. The senior pastor is Charlie Dates.

History

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In 1985, James Meeks, pastor of Beth Eden Baptist Church in Chicago, shared the vision of founding a new church in a sermon.[1][2] After a meeting with 205 members that same day, the church was founded.[3]

The new congregation held its first services January 20, 1985 at 8201 South Jeffrey Boulevard and remained at this location for five-years.[4][5]

In 2004, it had 17,000 members. [6]

On January 8, 2023, after 38 years of service Pastor Meeks retired, Charlie Dates succeeded him as senior pastor.[7]

House of Hope

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In 2005, it dedicated the House of Hope, a new building including a 10,000-seat auditorium.[8] The venue has 203,000 sq ft (19,000 m2) of usable space.[9][10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Monica Davey, AT THE CROSSROADS: A NEIGHBORHOOD, A CHURCH AND A PASTOR, chicagotribune.com, USA, April 6, 1999
  2. ^ Randall Herbert Balmer, Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism: Revised and expanded edition, Baylor University Press, USA, 2004, p. 444
  3. ^ Monica Davey, AT THE CROSSROADS: A NEIGHBORHOOD, A CHURCH AND A PASTOR, chicagotribune.com, USA, April 6, 1999
  4. ^ Monica Davey, AT THE CROSSROADS: A NEIGHBORHOOD, A CHURCH AND A PASTOR, chicagotribune.com, USA, April 6, 1999
  5. ^ Bob Smietana, MegaShepherd, christianitytoday.com, USA, February 1, 2004
  6. ^ Bob Smietana, MegaShepherd, christianitytoday.com, USA, February 1, 2004
  7. ^ Jeramie Bizzle, Rev. James Meeks, founder and senior pastor of Salem Baptist Church, retiring after 38 years of ministry, cbsnews.com, USA, January 9, 2023
  8. ^ Manya A. Brachear, Meeks' mega-church ready for its debut, chicagotribune.com, USA, July 1, 2005
  9. ^ "Chicago megachurch opens doors for 10,000". USA Today. Associated Press. July 4, 2005. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  10. ^ Bill J. Leonard, Baptists in America, Columbia University Press, USA, 2005, p. 2

41°41′17.0″N 87°36′13.7″W / 41.688056°N 87.603806°W / 41.688056; -87.603806

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