CARTER MEMORIAL CHURCH

The clip above -- newly assembled and re-edited from the full-length 1937 film "Reel One: Chicago"--depicts the lively Assyrian community gathered around the Carter Memorial Assyrian-Persian Presbyterian Church (Carter Memorial Church) at 54 West Huron Street, Chicago.

 

You will notice the church’s façade, steps, and sidewalk in front as well as the Sunday school building façade and steps next door.

 

You will see signs of Assyrian businesses near the church such as “Sam’s Store,” and “Men’s Shoes” and “Grocery Store." Sumbat owned the shoe store, Yonnan Alexander owned a nearby tailor shop and Jacob (Jack) George owned the grocery shop.

 

The crush of Assyrians leaving the Carter Memorial Church after services is also featured in the film and was typical of a Sunday. The size and vibrancy of the crowd gives the viewer a sense of the liveliness of the community and the centrality of the church as a hub of social life.

 

The family of Qasha Haidow Ablahat -- the long-serving minister -- is captured in the scenes among the throngs of churchgoers, including his daughters Grace and Rhoda, son Newton ("Newty"), and his wife Chahurmah, who founded the Assyrian Women's Sewing Society at the church.

 

NOTE: First timestamp, next to the images below, refer to this reassembled section seen above and the second timestamp refers to the full-length reel.