Alice Hunt, President

Our New Home

In October 2011, Chicago Theological Seminary will dedicate its new, state-of-the-art building at 60th and Dorchester Ave., bordering the historic Woodlawn and Hyde Park neighborhoods of Chicago’s southside. Please explore these pages to learn more about our new home, giving opportunities and October's Dedication Weekend.

Design and Features

Our LEED-Silver certified facility was designed with staunch commitments to accessibility and flexibility, academic excellence and mutual learning, environmental sustainability, and engagement with the world beyond our walls.

New Building Initiative

The New Building Initiative will celebrate the transition to our new home and help position CTS as a leader in theological education. Naming and recognition opportunities are available throughout our new building. Don and Ellen Clark generously committed a $1 million lead gift to the campaign in February, 2011.

Dedication Weekend and Scholarship Concert

To commemorate this historic move, CTS will dedicate our new home in a multi-day celebration October 20-23, 2011. A scholarship concert on October 20 will feature the internationally-renowned Sweet Honey in the Rock. All proceeds will benefit the CTS scholarship fund.

Online registration for our Scholarship Concert with Sweet Honey In The Rock and for all events associated with the New Building Dedication is now closed. However, we welcome you to purchase tickets or register at the door! For more information on locations, times, and pricing, see below.  We hope you will join us! Thank you supporting the vision and mission of CTS!

Groups of 10+ or more receive 10% - 20% discount (contact Nell Stigler at 773.322.0245).

Sponsorship Levels:

$10,000 Level

• VIP Reception and Special Concert Seating for you and seven guests
• Recognition in the Concert Program
• Assisting ten CTS students to attend the Sweet Honey Concert

$5,000 Level

• VIP Reception and Special Concert Seating for you and five guests
• Recognition in the Concert Program
• Assisting five CTS students to attend the Sweet Honey Concert

$1,000 Level

• VIP Reception and Special Concert Seating for you and three guests
• Recognition in the Concert Program

Schedule of Events

Thursday, October 20

• Sweet Honey in the Rock Scholarship Concert: Time: 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm (no intermission) Location: Rockefeller Chapel, 5850 South Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637
  Sweet Honey in the Rock is an internationally-renowned female a capella group. Their soulful sound is textured by the rich traditions of African American music--including gospel hymns, spirituals, jazz improvisation, African chant and ancient lullabies--and gives voice to hope, love, justice, peace and resistance.

Friday, October 21

• Alumni  & Friends Brunch: 9:00 a.m - 11:00 a.m.  McGiffert House, 5751 S. Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637
  We are excited to bring our alumni/ae, friends of CTS, and their families together for a brunch. To offset the cost of the meal, a $10/per person fee will be charged. You can register for this event today--more details will be sent to you by email as they become available.
• Lecture with Dow Edgerton: 11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Chapel, 5757 University Ave, Chicago, IL 60637
  Featuring Dr. Dow Edgerton, Professor of Ministry.
• Meet & Greet: 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Cloisters, 5757 University Ave., Chicago, IL 60637
  Enjoy light refreshments and the opportunity to meet other alumni and friends of Chicago Theological Seminary in the Cloisters immediately following the lecture with Dow Edgerton.
• Building Dedication Ceremony: Time: 2:00 pm Location: New building, 1407 E. 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637
  Please join us as we dedicate our new home and celebrate the past, present and future of Chicago Theological Seminary. We are thrilled to host alumni/ae and friends, congregations and community members, students and scholars, visitors and well-wishers at this exciting and family-friendly event. The dedication ceremony will be immediately followed by a reception and tours of the new building. The dedication ceremony and reception are free! Please register so that we can accommodate all our guests.

Saturday, October 22

Time: 8:30am-12:30pm Location: Departing from CTS to various organizations in Woodlawn

Please join us for a community breakfast followed by a chance to meet community organizations in Woodlawn, our new neighborhood! There will be opportunities to meet executive staff of local community organizations, engage in meaningful discussion with one another and our neighbors, and participate in volunteer service activities. The tentative schedule is as follows:

• Continental breakfast at Chicago Theological Seminary: 8:30-9:30 am
• Community Engagement and Tour to various community organizations in Woodlawn: 9:30 am - 12:30 pm (vans will be provided). Organizations include but are not limited to:
  -Sunshine Gospel Ministries, 500 E. 61st Street
  -MAGIC, Inc (Metropolitan Area Group Igniting Civilization), 950 E. 61st Street, tentatively including an introduction to The Woodlawn String Instrument Program at Andrew Carnegie Elementary School

Please check back for more information and updates, and/or contact Ayanna Johnson, Director of Community Life, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it /773.322.0269.

Sunday, October 23

The following partner churches are helping CTS celebrate the Dedication Weekend on Sunday morning, we hope that you can join one of them for worship!

• Pilgrim UCC: 460 Lake St., Oak Park, IL Service at 11am.
  Preacher, The Rev. Sally Iberg (M.Div. ’98)
  Sermon Title “God’s Story, Our Stories”
  Sermon Text: Deut. 34: 1-12 and Matthew 22: 34-46
  Worship Service at 11 a.m. Children and Youth are welcome with children’s church and nursery care available.
• Wellington Ave. UCC: 615 W. Wellington Ave, Chicago, IL Service at 10:30am
  Guest Preacher, The Rev. Dr. Alice Hunt, CTS President
  Sermon text: Matthew 22:35-46
  Sermon title:  Multiplexing Love
• First Congregation Church of Western Springs: 1106 Chestnut St., Western Springs, IL Service at 9 and 10:30am
  Preacher, The Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr (M.Div., ’87, D.Min. ’92)
  Sermon Text: John 13
  Sermon Title:  “Sibling Rivalry”
  Additional notes: The Chancel Choir will sing at both services, including “My Song is Love Unknown” by Ireland; and “Greater Love Hath No Man” also by Ireland.  We will worship at 9am and 10:30am, with childcare/youth Christian education available at both services.
• St. Paul's UCC: 2335 N. Orchard St., Chicago, IL
  9:45am Chapel Service
  11:00am Sanctuary Service