Change - Chicago Avenue and Green St

Although different industries run the city now, and different groups of people live in this neighborhood; as I approach my destination – which is across the street from a concrete mixing facility and the Chicago Tribune newspaper printing warehouse – I am reminded that old Chicago is still here…at least for now.

The first sign that I was in for a quality experience appeared in the middle of Chicago Avenue, in the crosswalk that led to my destination. There were two millennial-aged people serving as crossing guards, equipped with hand-held stop signs and pausing the traffic for the streams of people walking towards a building set back from the street.

I was warmly greeted by two more young people as I walked through the front door. The best way to describe my immediate impression is that it felt like I walked into a really dope underground silent party, film screening, or art show. This is a young and diverse crowd. The tables in the middle of the lobby remind me of the first week of college, where the campus is full of organizations promoting their work.

It is 9:30am on a cool November weekend morning, and there are 350-400 people packed into this intimate theater-like venue, and they are mostly younger. College students, 20 and 30-somethings…and they are very much present, engaged, and enthusiastic. This was an inclusive atmosphere with the cool aesthetic of an exclusive setting.

As the event began, the 12-person band on the stage began to perform a song with the chorus, “You Got Me.” As they sang, stage lights beamed concert like rays of light across the audience, and seven high-definition projection screens displayed the song lyrics overlaid on video clips of nature scenes and abstract light animations.

I looked around and thought about the capital and resources that must have gone into this space. It was so clearly and intentionally created for the audience assembled here. Faith communities are often portrayed in popular media as people operating in physical spaces created by earlier generations. Yet this space was clearly designed by and for this current generation.

The journey continues in River West, at the corner of Chicago Avenue and Green.

Intro Theme Music: Victory Lap by QSTN ft. Mecca:83
Background Music: www.bensound.com/

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