In a ceremony on September 9th, the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, a division of the National Trust, celebrated the completion of the multi-year facade restoration of Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ in Chicago, marked by the lighting of the newly fabricated replica of Roberts Temple’s historic neon sign. To learn more about the event, read the full press release.

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 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.

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.