people standing outside of a church
© Duane Hall for Chicago Sun-Times

The Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party used the Church of the Epiphany, on the West Side of Chicago in 1969-72 as a meeting location to host educational sit-ins, conferences, leadership training, and rallies to advance their socio-political movement for Black Liberation.

police gathering around protest
1 / 5Chicago public school students participate in a rally organized by the Black Panthers to protest racism in schools and the imprisonment of Bobby SealeThe group gathers at the Church of the Epiphany, 201 South Ashland Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, after spending the afternoon at the Civic Center Plaza (Richard JDaley Center)© Duane Hall for Chicago Sun-Times
people gathering in a protest
2 / 5 © Duane Hall for Chicago Sun-Times
people gathering in a protest outside
3 / 5© Duane Hall for Chicago Sun-Times
exterior of peoples church
4 / 5The People's Church formerly known as Church of the Epiphany is now known as the Epiphany Center for the Arts and is a registered Illinois Landmark(Photo credit: MacRostie Historic Advisors LLC)
interior of peoples church
5 / 5The space is now home to a eclectic collection of eight art galleries, three resident artist studios, Studio 4 (a space dedicated exclusively for classes, workshops and lectures), four performing arts venues and three event spaces(Photo credit: Tom McDonald)