The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, a division of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, in partnership with Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ and the Preserve Robert’s Temple Initiative, today announced completion of the historic facade restoration of Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ and lighting of the newly fabricated replica of its historic neon sign, a visible new milestone in the preservation of one of the nation’s most consequential Civil Rights Movement landmarks.

Located at 4021 South State Street in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood, Roberts Temple was the site of the 1955 open-casket funeral and extended visitation for 14-year-old Emmett Till. At the insistence of his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, the world bore witness to the brutality inflicted on her son, catalyzing the modern Civil Rights Movement.

The Action Fund has been a leading force in preserving places connected to Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley. Since 2017 the Action Fund, supported by the Mellon Foundation and The Lilly Endowment Inc., has invested nearly $1.75 million in grant funding to expand programming and capacity at the Emmett Till Interpretive Center in Mississippi, preserve the Till family home in Chicago, and support the stabilization and restoration of Roberts Temple.

Through advocacy, grantmaking, preservation support, and as part of a coalition, the Action Fund helped secure the federal designation of the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument in 2023, which includes Roberts Temple and sites in Mississippi associated with his murder and the pursuit for justice.

The completed phase of exterior work at Roberts Temple restores the church closer to its 1955 appearance, reversing previous alterations and revealing defining features of the building’s historic facade. The project included restoration of the masonry, windows, painted brick, crosses, and other character-defining elements, as well as the replication and installation of the historic neon sign that once marked Roberts Temple as a beacon for worshipers, neighbors, and visitors.

“Roberts Temple is not only a witness to one of the most painful chapters in American history, it is a sacred place of memory, truth, and resolve,” said Brent Leggs, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and founding executive director of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund. “Preserving this church protects Emmett Till’s legacy and Mamie Till Mobley’s courageous demand that the world confront injustice. Sites of Black history like Roberts Temple carry the power to teach, to heal, and to move our nation toward a more honest and just future.”

“Roberts Temple remains a living church and a national place of conscience,” said Tiffany Tolbert, co-director of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund. “The exterior restoration and recreated neon sign are essential to honoring Roberts Temple as it appeared when thousands came here to mourn Emmett Till and bear witness. The Action Fund is thrilled to turn to the urgent work awaiting us inside: restoring the sanctuary and interior spaces so this national monument can safely welcome the public, support interpretation, and continue serving as a place of faith, memory, and community.”

“Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ, one of the first Black mega churches in America, served as a respite for southerners migrating from the south in the 1930’s. It became a part of the fabric of the Civil Rights Movement with the funeral of Emmett Till. The heroic decision of Mamie Till-Mobley to allow the world to see the ugly face of racism became the catalyst that challenged America to change. My husband and I are excited to lead the restoration project, and we continue to keep our commitment to preserve the legacy of Emmett Till,” said Dr. Marvel Parker, site director for The Preserve Robert’s Temple Initiative.

The sign-lighting ceremony on September 9 offered community members, partners, and invited media an opportunity to mark this preservation milestone ahead of the public announcement. Photos from the ceremony and restoration process are available as part of the press kit here.

The celebration of Emmett Till's and Mamie Till-Mobley's legacy will continue on September 10 with a convening and reception at Columbia College's Museum of Contemporary Photography marking the opening of the exhibition of If Emmett Till Lived: Freedom on American Ground.

The next phase of work at Roberts Temple will focus on much-needed interior restoration, including priority stabilization and restoration of the sanctuary to support safe public visitation and meaningful interpretation. Project partners are developing plans to preserve the interior spaces most closely associated with Till’s visitation and funeral while preparing the building for future educational programming, community use, and visitor engagement. To help complete this critical next phase, the Action Fund and its partners are calling on supporters to contribute to the Roberts Temple restoration effort and ensure this sacred landmark can safely open its doors to visitors, students, and future generations.

About Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ

Founded in 1916 and constructed at 4021 South State Street in 1922, Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ became a spiritual home for Chicago’s growing Black community during and after the Great Migration. The church is internationally known as the site of Emmett Till’s 1955 open-casket funeral and extended visitation, a defining moment that helped awaken the nation to the violence of racial terror and helped fuel the Civil Rights Movement. To learn more, visit: savingplaces.org/till.

About the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund

The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, a division of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, invests in the preservation of places that reflect the full history of Black life, activism, achievement, and resilience in the United States. Through grantmaking, technical assistance, advocacy, and storytelling, the Action Fund helps protect historic places that are essential to understanding American history. Learn more at savingplaces.org/actionfund.