Solidarity Stole (Lincoln Park Presbyterian)

When one visits the "History" page on most church websites, one can expect to find a "bricks and mortar" chronology focusing on capital campaigns and buildings.  Not so at Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church.  A visit to their history page reveals a chronology of unparalleled social action. 

 Founded in 1966 through a church merger, this new congregation on Chicago's north side hit the ground running.   By 1968 they were deeply involved in anti-war activities and issues concerning civil rights, desegregation, farm workers, hunger and public education.  Demonstrators at the Democratic National Convention were provided shelter at the church.  And a full year before the Stonewall riot, LPPC was already organizing on behalf of gay and lesbian rights.  All this activity certainly drew attention: in 1969 LPPC gained local notoriety when it was discovered that the Chicago Police had been illegally spying on the activities of the congregation and the building's other tenants. 

 In 1972, the Session of the Lincoln Park Church issued a call to David Sindt, an openly gay pastor, to serve as part-time assistant pastor to establish a ministry with the gay community. This action was blocked by the Presbytery of Chicago, but LPPC continued its efforts: In 1974 David Sindt founded Presbyterians for Gay Concerns, now More Light Presbyterians.  In 1976 LPPC co-founded the Chicago Night Ministry, a nationally recognized social service organization particularly involved with homeless and at-risk LGBTQ youth, and five years later LPPC became one of the first More Light congregations.  Their successful defense of a church judicial case involving their reelection of an openly gay Elder ensured full membership rights for LGBT members of the Presbyterian Church nationwide.

Martha Juillerat

Founder, Shower of Stoles Project

2006