OUR HISTORY

Progressive Baptist Church was organized in the home of Brother and Sister Brumfield at 3652 S. Dearborn Street in October 1918 by Rev. Charles Brooks, Jr. of New Orleans, Louisiana. In January 1919, following Rev. Brooks’ return to Louisiana, Progressive’s five members (Brother & Sister Brumfield, Sister Ella Lunford [who named the church], and Brother & Sister Doyle) elected Rev. Thomas Emerson Brown as senior pastor.

He preached his first sermon as pastor in April of that year. Rev. T.E. Brown organized nearly three dozen clubs and ministries during his tenure as pastor. His greatest feat was achieved in May 1958. As City Hall commenced with plans to construct a new expressway where the new church was being built at 3700 S. LaSalle, Rev. T.E. Brown met with Mayor Richard J. Daley to have the church moved to its current location, the largest construction move ever undertaken in the history of Chicago. The city assumed all charges in having the 1,500-ton building moved one block. After 49 years of dedicated service, Rev. T.E. Brown made his transition on June 25, 1968.

Rev. Retha Brown, T.E. Brown’s son, was elected pastor in December of that year and preached his first sermon as pastor on September 12, 1969. Under his leadership, the church witnessed the building of the T.E. Brown Senior Citizen’s Housing Complex, completed in March 1981, and the paving of the church parking lot. Rev. Retha Brown served for nearly 3 decades as pastor before he made his transition on July 12, 1996.

Rev. Dr. Christopher Alan Bullock was elected pastor in October 1998, and installed on April 25, 1999.  Rev. Bullock established weekly Bible Study classes, a technology center, and the New Members Class, among several other ministries.  In 2004, after five years of service, Rev. Bullock resigned as pastor. As the church searched for a new pastor, Rev. Woody Collins, a faithful, longtime Progressive member, served as Interim Pastor.  

Rev. Dr. Dennis Haggray was elected pastor in February 2006 and served until September of that year.  A host of guest ministers visited Progressive as the search for a new pastor commenced.  

In October 2007, Rev. Willie Davis was elected pastor and preached his first sermon in January 2008.  Rev. Davis helped reinstitute many of the programs and ministries introduced during Rev. Bullock’s tenure as pastor.  He resigned in February 2010. Rev. Woody Collins was again appointed Interim Pastor in March 2010 while a Search Committee sought out a new pastor.  

Rev. Charlie E. Dates was presented to the church in February 2011.  He was elected in March by an overwhelming majority, the largest vote received by any pastor in Progressive’s rich history.  In his short time as pastor, Rev. Dates has added a 50-foot church sign to the church’s exterior, church monitors in the sanctuary, and has began plans to remodel the Fellowship Hall through the Major Gift Initiative.  Pastor Dates developed the Growth Group Ministry, helped reinstitute the Married Couples Ministry, enhanced the Media Ministry, and invested in the Children and Youth Ministry. Under his leadership, the church has undergone significant improvements and is poised to continue to do great things.