WHO: The Historical Preservation Society of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party, Ward Chapel, A.M.E. and the family of Mark Clark are inviting the community to participate in a series of public programs leading to the installation and dedication of Ward Chapel’s historical marker.
Mark Clark was assassinated with Illinois Deputy Chairman Fred Hampton on December 4, 1969, during an FBI and Chicago Police coordinated raid. These events are not just about sharing history but also about preserving and celebrating the legacy of Mark Clark. Partners include the Clark Virtual Museum, Trust for Public Land, and JAQ Corp Architects. Illinois Humanities sponsored the historical marker.
WHAT and WHY: Ward Chapel, A.M.E. Church stands as a unique site on the Black Panther Party Heritage Trail in Illinois. It is the only Peoria church that welcomed the Illinois Chapter’s Peoria Defense Captain Mark Clark to establish a Free Breakfast For Children Program. This remarkable act firmly established Ward Chapel's place in Panther history. In December 2023, the National Park Service added the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party to the National Register of Historic Places, further cementing Ward Chapel's historical significance.
With its legendary past, Ward Chapel is not only the oldest black church in Peoria but also the oldest church in the city. It has hosted speeches from notable figures such as Fredrick Douglas and Booker T. Washington and is now a site on the Black Panther Party Heritage Trail. Plans are underway to nominate Ward Chapel to the National Register of Historic Places.
WHEN and WHERE: These events lead to a public dedication and celebration of the Mark Clark and Ward Chapel historical marker on Mark Clark’s birthday, Saturday, June 28, 2025.
We invite media professionals and the public to join us at these free events!
About the Historical Preservation Society ILBPP
The Black Panther Party, a crucial part of United States History, is at risk of being forgotten. Its history is not taught in schools, and in Chicago, the Illinois Chapter has been erased from the city and state landscape. Preservation of the Black Panther Party’s history in the built environment began in 2020 when Leila Wills, the daughter of Panthers, assisted in landmarking the childhood home of Illinois Deputy Chairman Fred Hampton in Maywood, Illinois. Building on this initiative, Leila co-founded the Historical Preservation Society (HPS) in 2021 to pursue further landmarking and interpretation for the entire Illinois Chapter. In late December 2023, the National Park Service approved the groundbreaking Thematic Listing of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party to the National Register of Historic Places, the first in the country. In January 2024, the Historical Preservation Society began planning the Heritage Trail and selected 13 sites to build the inaugural trail. After a successful fundraising campaign, 13 historical markers will be installed in 2025.
For more information click on the Historical Preservation Society Events link
https://ilbpp.org/events
For more information click on the Historical Preservation Society Events link
About Ward Chapel, A.M.E.
Ward Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in 1846, the oldest house of
worship in the city of Peoria and for more than 178 years has served as a bastion of liberation,
education, and empowerment for underserved people in Peoria. Ward Chapel was home to an early childhood education program in its early years and in response to child hunger, Ward
Chapel, under the leadership of the late Rev. Blaine Ramsey, partnered with Mark Clark and the Black Panther Party to establish a feeding program. As community needs changed, the feeding program changed it’s focus to the growing homeless population in the 61605-catchment area. The breakfast program shut down in 2021 due to COVID-19 and is set to re-launch Saturday, May 3, 2025.
About Trust for Public Land
Trust for Public Land is committed to ensuring public lands reflect the diversity of our nation’s stories and communities. By amplifying voices that have historically been excluded, TPL helps create opportunities for reflection, connection, and progress. The organization's Black History and Culture Initiative advances this mission by ensuring Black communities are at the center of creating and preserving outdoor spaces that honor their stories, foster connection, and deliver vital health, climate, and other community benefits. From historic landmarks to community parks and green spaces, TPL works to make public lands places of healing, equity, prosperity, and inspiration for generations to come. To learn more, visit tpl.org/bhac.
About JAQ Corp
John M. Gay, NCARB, AIA, AMAC, the “Rhythm Architect ™” is the founding principal & creative lead for JAQ Corp int P.C., a national, technical boutique design studio that fuses art with engineering, utilizing music to understand clients and inform its design process. The philosophical rules deliver a rhythmic aesthetic, utilizing the form, syncopation, and improvisation found in jazz. Our quest is to allow multi-genres to shape space by analyzing the rhythm, structure, and tambour of music selected by the client to inspire their architectural design. True to Bauhaus roots & Surrealist tendencies, JAQ understands how to design at all = scales, utilize the influence of other art forms & nature while delivering Biophilic, Sustainably Rhythmic Architectonic compositions in our communities. JAQ is licensed, certified (ACDBE, DBE, MBE) and works in six states, but their HQ is in Bronzeville, USA. To learn more, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Co9YLFPbwg
About Clark Virtual Museum
Clark Virtual Museum LLC is a nonprofit organization founded in 2024 by family members of Defense Captain Mark Clark. Our mission is to provide educational exhibits and programs to inspire learning, encourage gathering, and spark exchange on topics of history, heritage and culture. Our priority is to amplify Mark Clark’s story, which will inspire other young people, solidify his historical contribution and honor the struggle for human rights for all people.
HELP US AMPLIFY MARK CLARK’S STORY
Donate, Become A Member or Sponsor
Your support of Clark Virtual Museum LLC means more than you know.
We simply could not produce the exhibitions and educational content we do without supporters like you.
Your support ensures we can continue the kind of exhibits and educational programming that pays homage to our history and celebrates our rich heritage, making our communities more vibrant and better places to live.
To donate, press the green circle below or complete the donation form at the bottom of the page.