Stone Temple Peace Heritage Garden

In 2019, the Chicago Sinai Congregation joined with the Historic Stone Temple Baptist Church in North Lawndale to create a community garden and education center. They have worked with Executive Pastor Reshorna Fitzpatrick, church elders and neighbors to transform a neglected city lot near the church into a growing area for organic vegetables and flowers, as well as a community gathering and educational space. All produce grown is offered at no cost to people from North Lawndale. This has been a joyful endeavor and a close partnership to build colorful raised garden beds. In 2020, a stage was constructed at the rear of the garden for performances and events. The stage, designed and constructed by nonprofit architecture organization Human Scale, became an immediate must-see in North Lawndale, due to its unique design and beautiful setting. The garden is adjacent to the church, located in a historic building that was once a synagogue, the former Anshe Roumania, Shaari Shomayim aka The Romanian Shul, before becoming Stone Temple Missionary Baptist. It hosted Dr. Martin Luther King in 1966. The church building is a designated Chicago Landmark, one of the best preserved of the North Lawndale synagogues-turned-churches.