The streets were quiet when I arrived on the south side on this sunny, Spring morning: A few not-yet-opened soul food restaurants, a few gas stations, a few posters for a upcoming rap concert hanging from a few traffic light poles.

As I walked up the block towards this massive cathedral, the sound of bells rang out over the neighborhood from the tower high above the street. This building reminded me of villages in western Europe where the cathedral was the largest structure in the village, and was constructed at such an impressive scale to both inspire awe and reverence for how big God is, and to remind humans how small we are in comparison.

A large stone staircase at the side entrance lead me into the main hall - an open space with tall, vaulted arches that held up the ceiling about 75-100 feet above my head. Dimly-lit chandeliers hung from the arches. Sunlight shining through the stained glass windows balanced the dark wooden paneling along the base of the walls.

A rectangular table on the center stage is covered in Kente cloth, with three lit candles resting on top. Behind the stage hung a large painting of a Black man with a short afro, extended arms, and opened hands.

The journey continues in the Auburn-Gresham neighborhood on the south side, at the corner of 78th Place and Racine.

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

Pick up your copy of the companion book at https://godinchicago.com/

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