Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda (born Narendranath Datta) was a delegate from India to the first Parliament of World Religions which was held in Chicago during the 1893 World’s Fair, the Columbian Exhibition. He was a Hindu monk who is credited with spreading Vedic traditions and Yoga to the West. His guru was Ramakrishna.

His speech “Sisters and Brothers of America,” which was given in the Art Institute building on September 11, 1893, called for religious tolerance and became famous around the world. The text of this speech was displayed in lights on the Grand Staircase of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2011 installation called Public Notice 3 by artist Jitish Kallat.

Note: This sign has been moved from it’s original location directly outside the Art Institute. Look for it on the southeast corner of Michigan Avenue and Monroe Street,

Honorary Swami Vivekananda Way was featured on WBEZ Curious City in 2024

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Honorary Swami Vivekananda WAY

Outside the Art Institute of Chicago on Michigan Avenue between Monroe Street and Jackson Street

 

Approved:

Ward: 42
Neighborhood: Michigan Avenue/Cultural Mile

b. January 12, 1863 in Calcutta, India
d. July 4, 1902. Age 39

near
The Art Institute of Chicago, the location of the 1893 Parliament of World Religions
111 S. Michigan Avenue

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Source

https://www.artic.edu/swami-vivekananda-and-his-1893-speech

https://www.artic.edu/articles/710/sisters-and-brothers-of-america-swami-vivekananda-in-chicago

https://chicagovedanta.org/sv.html

https://chicagovedanta.org/1893.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swami_Vivekananda

Jimmie Earl Storey

Jimmie Earl Storey became the Pastor of Sunrise Baptist Church in 1990 and served there for 32 years. He oversaw the building of their current location in 1997 and added a community center in 2007. He retired from his corporate career in Information Technoloogy in 2013, and pursued ministry full-time.

Alum
Libby Elementary School
Gage Park High School
Illinois Institute of Technology.

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Honorary Pastor Jimmie Earl Storey WAY

South Central Park Avenue and West Grenshaw Street

 

Approved: April 2024

Ward: 24
Alderman: Monique Scott
Neighborhood: Homan Square

b. September 15, 1954 in Mississippi
d. August 31, 2023

near
Sunrise Baptist Church
1101 S. Central Park Avenue

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Source

20248377

http://www.sunrisebaptistchurch.org/pastor-leaders-page

https://everloved.com/life-of/jimmie-storey/obituary/

https://www.smithandthomas.com/obituary/jimmie-storey

Clifford E. Turner

Chief Apostle Dr. Clifford E. Turner, PhD. founded Liberty Temple Full Gospel Church in 1982, and Liberty International Network: 8 Liberty Churches, a Christian TV in 2002, and film production - HolyWood Studios. Outreach includes GED support to residents of public housing and citizens returning from incarceration.

Veteran: Army

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Honorary Chief Apostle Dr. Clifford E. Turner

South Oakley Avenue between West 79th Street and West 79th Place

 

Approved: October 2023

Ward: 18
Alderman: Derrick Curtis
Neighborhood: Auburn Gresham / Beverly View

b. October 13, 1950 in Chicago
d. January 16, 2018. Age 67

near
Liberty Temple Church
2233 W. 79th Street

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Source

20233907

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=4296004533762318

https://libertytemple.org/locations/chicago/

https://libertytemple.org/product-category/cet/

https://www.goldengate-funeralhome.com/obituary/4539971

Leon D. Finney, Jr.

Reverend Dr. Leon D. Finney, Jr. was the publisher of the Woodlawn Observer, a real estate developer, a community organizer, a professor, and Pastor of the Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church. He worked on local and national political campaigns and provided deep support of the Woodlawn community. In 1969 he was the President of the Woodlawn Community Development Corporation. He served as Vice-Chairman of the Chicago Public Housing Authority, and was a board member of Chicago Planning Commission.

He moved to Chicago from Mississippi as a child. His father, Leon, Sr., was the namesake owner of the Chicago-famous Leon’s Bar-B-Q restaurant.

Veteran: Marines

Alum
Goddard College
McCormick Theological Seminary
Nova University
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Hyde Park Academy High School

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Honorary Reverend Dr. Leon D. Finney, Jr. WAY

East 63rd Street between South Stony Island Avenue and South Blackstone Avenue

 

Approved: June 2023

Ward: 05
Alderman: Desmon Yancy
Neighborhood: Woodlawn

b. July 7, 1938 in Mississippi
d, September 4, 2020. Age 82

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Source

20231659
2020

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Finney_Jr.

https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/reverend-dr-leon-d-finney-jr

https://abc7chicago.com/leon-finney-rev-dr-death/6580115/

Prince Asiel Ben Israel

Prince Asiel Ben Israel (born Warren Brown) was the owner of the Original Soul Vegetarian restaurant (now Soul Veg City), which served vegan food on the South Side of Chicago and opened in 1981. The restaurant has continued on under the guidance of his children. It is one of the earliest black-owned vegan restaurants in the country. It promotes healthy, plant-based diets to prevent chronic disease.

He was also a member of the African Hebrew Israelite Nation of Jerusalem and studied in several countries. He served as an advisor to the World Conference of Mayors, the U.S. Congressional Black Caucus, and was a member of the African American Clergy Network of Chicago. He served to support Black populations in North America, Africa, and Israel.

Alum
DePaul University
Dunbar Vocational High School, Chicago

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Honorary Prince Asiel Ben Israel WAY

East 75th Street between South Indiana Avenue and South Prairie Avenue

 

Approved: April 2023

Ward: 06
Alderman: William Hall
Neighborhood: Chatham

b. April 30, 1941 in Chicago
d. August 21, 2022. Age 81

near
Soul Veg City Restaurant
201-209 E 75th Street

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Source

20231260

https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/prince-asiel-ben-israel

https://www.soulvegcity.com/about

https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2022/9/2/23334949/prince-asiel-ben-israel-chicago-black-hebrew-leader-memorial-service

https://www.blackjews.org/prince-asiel-ben-israel/

Reverend C. B. Taylor

Reverend Charles B. Taylor was a Baptist minister and the owner of the Taylor Funeral home, which he started in 1963. In 1982 he bought Oak Hill Cemetery Association in Gary, Indiana. The Reverend was driven by mission and entrepreneurial spirit; he made multiple and varied investments in business and faith on the south and west sides of Chicago.

He also started a wide variety of businesses, including: Thrifty Printing (1975), American Monument Company, Atlas Auctioneers, Taylor Coach, and multiple auto sales and rebuilders. Reverend Taylor was also a pilot.

He has decades of civic involvement and service in the Baptist Church, Schools, Masons, Shriners, and the funeral director business.

Reverend Taylor was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and came to Chicago in 1948. He served for 22 years in the Illinois National Guard, where he achieved the rank of First Sergeant.

Veteran: National Guard

Alum;
Prairie State College
Worsham College of Mortuary Science
Jackson State College, Mississippi

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Honorary Reverend C. B. Taylor WAY

East 78th Street, between South Eberhart Avenue and South Rhodes Avenue

 

Approved: April 2023

Ward: 6
Alderman: Sawyer
Neighborhood: Chatham

b. Tuscaloosa, Alabama
d. June 30, 2022. Age 93

near C.B. Taylor Funeral Home
63 E. 79th Street

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Source

20231149

https://www.cbtaylorfuneralhome.com/

Elder Roosevelt McCarthy, Jr.

Roosevelt McCarthy, Jr., a.k.a. “Rose” served as an Elder in the Church of God in Christ, in Chicago

He and his family established the Home of the Hoagy Restaurant in the West Pullman / Morgan Park neighborhood in the early 1970s.

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Honorary Elder Roosevelt McCarthy, Jr. Way

1300 West 111th Street

 

Approved: March 2022

Ward: 34
Alderman: Austin
Neighborhood: West Pullman

Home of the Hoagy Restaurant
1316 W. 111th

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Source

2022184

https://www.google.com/maps/uv?pb=!1s0x880e245428d58463%3A0xb56cc110a9d568e2!3m1!7e131!4s!5sHome%20of%20the%20Hoagy!15sCgIgAQ&hl=en-US&imagekey=!1e10!2sAF1QipP0gxCgzONm0fax-fa0Mx5Jra7Rk1ugCadqvfE2

https://home-of-the-hoagy.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral

https://ko-kr.facebook.com/BlackPeopleEats/photos/1637329886651151/

Gicele Wray-Lindley

Pastor Gigi has been involved in the church since an early age. Her parents were the founding pastors, Esteban and Isabel Wray. She became choir director at the age of 13 and sang solos in the and led praise and worship at age 9. At the age of 23 she was ordained into Evangelist ministry. She and her husband, Omar, have ministered in several states and overseas in Central and South America, and Africa.

She founded and is CEO of a childcare and early learning center which serves hundreds of children; it is called Shining Star Youth and Community Services.

Alum

University of Illinois at Chicago. BA
Master, Human Services
Master, Non-Profit Management and Organizational Leadership
Doctorate, Education in Ethical Leadership

Born in Panama

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Honorary Pastor Gicele Wray-Lindley Way

South Kedzie Avenue between 77th Street and West Columbus Avenue

 

Approved: November 2022

Ward: 18
Alderman: Curtis
Neighborhood: Ashburn

b. Colon, Panama

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Source
20223245

Albert D. Tyson, III

Reverend Albert D. Tyson, III was the former Pastor of St. Stephens African Methodist Episcopal Church in Chicago and the Presiding Elder of the 4th Episcopal District.

Reverend served on several civic, educational, and health boards in addition to his ecumenical leadership positions. He was a member of the NAACP and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Alumni:
Garrett Evangelical Seminary, Evanston, Illinois
Monrovia College, Liberia - Honorary Degree
Newark State College, New Jersey

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Honorary Presiding Elder Albert D. Tyson, III. Way

North Albany Street at West Washington Boulevard

 

Approved: 2021

Ward: 27
Alderman: Burnett
Neighborhood: East Garfield Park

St. Stephen AME Church
3042 W. Washington Boulevard

b. June 26, 1948
d. June 21, 2019. Age 70.

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Source
https://www.thechristianrecorder.com/transition-of-rev-albert-d-tyson-iii-1948-2019/

Sister Patty Fillenwarth

Sister Patricia Fillenwarth was a member of the Humboldt Park community for more than 37 years. She served as Director of Providence Family Services for 24 years and was a bilingual counselor. She started the Providence Family Services Center in 1994. This expanded to include an “After-School Homework Club,” tutoring programs, English as a second language, computer classes, and citizenship classes.

Previously she had been a teacher and then Principal of the Maternity Blessed Virgin Mary elementary school, she taught in Washington DC and in her home town of Indianapolis. In 1971 Sister Patty served as a missionary in Peru for 6 years.

Sister Patty, previously Sister Joseph Monica, joined Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary’s of the Woods in 1958 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Here is her writing Every Day is a Gift and also a poem of gratitude following a 2012 Rummage Sale fundraiser.

Alumna:
Northeastern Illinois University

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Honorary Sister Patty Fillenwarth Way

1400 and 1500 North Monticello Avenue

 

Approved: 2021

Ward: 26
Alderman: Maldonado
Neighborhood: Humboldt Park

Providence Family Services
1540 N. Monticello Avenue

b. September 1, 1940
d. January 7, 2020. Age 79.

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Source
https://spsmw.org/sister-profile/patricia-fillenwarth/

Our Lady of Victory

Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church was founded in 1906 at 4444 North Laramie Avenue and was a fixture in the community for over one hundred years. It became one of the largest parishes on the Northwest side of Chicago. Father Francis Chickozki was the first Pastor. The Our Lady of Victory School was open from 1910-2016. In the original school building, the nuns lived on the third floor, above the classrooms.

Our Lady of Victory Church held its final mass on June 13, 2021 with Reverend Michael Wyrzykowski and merged with the Saint Pascal and Saint Bartholomew Parishes.

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Honorary Our Lady of Victory Way

North Laramie Avenue from West Agatite Avenue to West Sunnyside Avenue

 

Approved: 2021

Ward: 38
Alderman: Sposato
Neighborhood: Portage Park/Jefferson Park

Our Lady of Victory
5212 W. Agatite Avenue
4444 N. Laramie

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Source

http://www.olvchicago.org
https://nadignewspapers.com/2020/12/19/%EF%BB%BFour-lady-of-victory-church-in-jefferson-park-to-close-by-late-2021-property-could-eventually-be-sold/

Archbishop Lucius Hall

Lucius Hall was the founded of the First Church of Love and Faith, in Chicago’s Auburn-Gresham Neighborhood in 1980, one year after becoming a minister. Lucius was the Executive Director of the Head Start program at his church. In 2010 he became an Archbishop by the Metropolitan Spiritual Churches of Christ, inc. For twenty years (1990-2010) he was the Executive Director of Chicago Gospel Fest. During the same timeframe, he served as Chairman of City of Chicago Personnel and Human Resources Board under two Chicago Mayors.

Music was a huge part of Lucius’ life and his ministry. As a teenager he was a radio announcer and later the Channel 26 WCIU producer and host of the “Rock of Ages Gospel Hour.” In 1979 he founded the Broadcast Ministries Alliance, and later hosted the groups Cable TV program.

After serving in the US Army he had a thirty year career with the Veterans Administration. He became a minister in 1979 and founded or co-founded several programs and organizations including: one of the first food pantries in his neighborhood, and an international organization of US and West African churches - The First Spiritual Churches of Truth, Inc.

Veteran: Army, Military Police

Born in Chicago

Alumni:
Burke Grade School
DuSable High School
University of Illinois at Chicago
Gospel Outreach Theological Institute. Houston, TX (Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree)

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Honorary Archbishop Lucius Hall

West 79th Street, between South Seeley Avenue and South Hamilton Avenue

 

Approved: February 2021

Ward: 18
Alderman: Curtis
Neighborhood: Auburn-Gresham

d. April 2, 2020. Age 87.

The First Church of Love and Faith
2140 West 79th Street

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Source
Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Crusader

Reverend Malachi Baker Way

Malachi G.Baker, Jr. was the second generation Pastor of the New Hope Christian Missionary Baptist Church. When Malachi became Emeritus-Pastor, his son, Earnest A. Baker, Sr. became the Senior Pastor.

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Honorary Rev. Malachi G. Baker, Jr. Way

East. 95th St. Between South Dobson Avenue and South University Avenue

 

Approved: July 2018

Ward: 8
Alderman: Harris
Neighborhood: Calumet Heights

Near
New Hope Christian Missionary Baptist Church
1033 E. 95th Avenue

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Source

Facebook

Monsignor Dolan Drive

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Honorary Monsignor Dolan Way

6200 North Sauganash Avenue from West Lemont to West Keene

 

Approved: April 2017

Ward: 39
Alderman: Laurino
Neighborhood: Sauganash

Near
Queen of All Saints Basillica
6280 Sauganash

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Source

Henrietta W. Robinson Way

Henrietta was the pastor of the New Jerusalem Pentecostal Church and a community leader in the Englewood neighborhood for fifty years. She became pastor in 1974. She had been an active member of the church for several years before she was called to the ministry. Henrietta led a range of programs for the community health and wellbeing, and Bible study, and started a Women’s Day in 1968.

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Honorary Pastor Henrietta W. Robinson Way

6200 block of South May Street

 

Approved: October 2018

Ward: 16
Alderman: Foulkes
Neighborhood: Englewood

d. March 6, 2001

Near
6201 S. May Street
New Jerusalem Pentecostal Church

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Source

Rita Simo Way

Rita Simo was the founder of the People’s School of Music in Chicago, an organization offering free music lessons to people who would not otherwise be able to afford them. Rita was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to attend the Julliard School of Music. She took her vows as a Catholic nun and taught music at Rosary College. She left the order to fulfill her dream of opening her own music school. In 1976 she started the People’s Music School in a former beauty salon, staffed by volunteers and the donation of a baby grand piano. The school expanded to Bronzeville, Back of the Yards and Albany Park neighbohoods. Rita retired in 2001. She remained a board member of the Jane Addams Senior Caucus and a Life Trustee of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

YouTube playlist: Rita Simo. Honorary Chicago

Alumni
Julliard School of Music
Boston University, D.M.A. Music Performance

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Honorary Rita Simo Way

Eastwood Avenue at Sheridan Road

 

Approved: 2001

Ward:
Alderman:
Neighborhood: Uptown
Ceremony: 2002

b. 1934. Dominican Republic
d. September 22, 2020. Age 86. Chicago

Near
People’s School of Music

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Source

Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Tribune

Source

Reverend Homer Gardner Way

Reverend Homer Gardner was the pastor of the Sun Rise Missionary Baptist Church. After serving in the Army, he moved to Chicago in 1957 and was an active member of the Church including Sunday School teacher, choir, treasurer, and Deacon. Until his retirement in 2000, he had a career as a metallurgist in the metals and steel industry. Homer was called to the ministry in 1977. He served as Pastor of Sun Rise Baptist Church from 1978 until his retirement in 2016.

Alumni
Army Academy
Illinois Institute of Technology, Metalurgy
LaSalle Extension University, Law
Carolina University of Theology, Masters

Veteran: Army

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Honorary Reverend Homer Gardner Way

South Kilbourn Avenue between West Gladys Avenue and West Van Buren Street

 

Approved: September 2020

Ward: 28
Alderman: Ervin
Neighborhood: West Garfield Park

b. July 29, 1937 in Mississippi, Tallahatchie County
d. March 23, 2019

Near
Sun Rise Baptist Church
351 S. Kilbourn Avenue

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Source

Father Martin E. O'Donovan Way

Father Martin O’Donovan grew up in the St. Cristiana parish and he served as Pastor there for 15 years. He was ordained at Mundelein in 1978 and currently serves the Saints, Faith, Hope, & Charity Catholic Church in Winnetka. Previously he led the Our Lady of Good Counsel in Bridgeport. Father Marty, as he is known, has touched the lives of several parishes in the Chicago area. He has guided his parishioners through times of scandal in the Church

Alumni
Quigley Prep
Niles Seminary

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Honorary Father Martin E. O’Donovan Way

111th and Homan Avenue

 

Approved:

Ward:
Alderman:
Neighborhood: Mt. Greenwood

Near
St Christiana’s Church
11005 S. Homan Avenue

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Source

Reverend Dr. David D. Clay Way

David Daniel Clay was the pastor at the Maryland Avenue Baptist Church, which he moved and renamed from the Central Avenue Baptist Church. He was born in Louisiana and spent high school in Texas before moving to Chicago and attending the Moody Bible Institute. Reverend Doctor received many invitations to preach, including one from a large Baptist congregation in Hong Kong.

His motto was: “Every saved soul is saved to help saved souls!”

Alumni:
Southern University (Baton Rouge)
Northern Baptist Theological Seminary
Moody Bible Institute

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Honorary Rev. Dr. David D. Clay Way

Northwest corner of 81st St. & Maryland Ave. and Norhteast comer of 81st St. & Cottage Grove Ave

 

Approved: January 2020

Ward: 8
Alderman: Harris
Neighborhood: Chatham

b. 1913. Lousiana
d. April 2, 1972.

Maryland Avenue Baptist Church
8058 S. Maryland

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Source

Clarence L . Shaffer, Sr. Drive

Clarence Shaffer was a Navy WWII veteran and former professional baseball player in the Southern Negro League. He was Deacon of The Way of The Cross Holiness Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago for 37 years, where his wife was the Pastor, W.E. Shaffer.

Veteran: Navy, WWII

Born: Mississippi

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Honorary Clarence L. Shaffer, Sr. Drive

 

South Halsted between 81st to 83rd*

Approved: January 2020

Ward: 21
Alderman: Howard Brookins, Jr.
Neighborhood: South Side, Auburn Gresham

b: Mississippi July 22, 1925
d: Chicago April 16, 2012. Age 87.

Near
The Way of The Cross Holiness M.B. Church
8229 S. Halsted

* the location was amended to 81st to 83rd Street in 2021