Park Community Church faces the history and future of Cabrini Green.

When standing on the site of Park Community Church’s new building the view is certainly breathtaking. Under the Chicago skyline you are lined on one side of the street by brand new half-million dollar town homes, and on the other by public housing projects slated for renovation. The stark contrasts of the rapidly changing neighborhood are striking. New development aside, the neighborhood will be “mixed income” to say the least — Park’s new home is literally and metaphorically in the shadow of the infamous Cabrini projects. Read on for an introduction to the history and future of Cabrini Green…¦

To say that Park Community Church is moving into “Cabrini Green” would be a bit misleading. Cabrini Green is being torn down — and with it all of the stereotypes of gangs, drugs and violence. Nor is it as if as the church decided one day to leave the affluence of Lincoln Park and move into the abject poverty of one of the most notorious neighborhoods in urban history. What is happening here is truly a remarkably unique once-in-history converging of urban forces. The theological implications of which are awesome.

If you are unfamiliar with what Cabrini Green is and what it represents, Wikipedia’s article will serve as a great summary: read it online here.

Perhaps the best introduction I have seen comes from an international news program called”Mainstreet USA” that features Cabrini Green — Part I and Part II are available below:

A recent CBS article, Tearing Down Cabrini-Green, reviews the city’s plan for renovation and poses the question, “will the replacement work?” Read it online here.

Much more information about Cabrini Green is on the way including features and interviews with long time residents and neighborhood activists.

This is an incredibly exciting time to be a part of Park Community Church — What does the LORD require?