A Century of Stone, Renewed: Historic Greenstone Church Restoration Signals a New Chapter for the Far South Side

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/West Pullman · March 30, 2026

A landmark that has watched over the Far South Side for nearly a century and a half is getting the restoration it deserves — and West Pullman's neighbors are taking notice. Work has officially begun on the

.2 million restoration of the iconic bell tower at Greenstone United Methodist Church, 11211 S. St. Lawrence Ave., inside the Pullman National Historical Park. Funded through the City of Chicago's Adopt-a-Landmark program, the project is being led by Berglund Construction, whose crews have already surrounded the 92-foot tower with scaffolding and swing stages to begin the painstaking work of restoring the church's distinctive green serpentine stone cladding.

The Greenstone restoration arrives on the heels of another blockbuster announcement: Governor JB Pritzker's commitment to a

00 million revitalization of the neighboring Hotel Florence and surrounding Pullman factory buildings — investments that are rippling with positive energy all the way into West Pullman. Ed Torrez, president of restoration architecture firm Arda, summed up the mood: "Pullman's just had so much going on — of positive progress," noting the national park designation, the hotel plans, and now the church. For West Pullman residents, these next-door wins are a rising tide lifting all boats on the Far South Side.

As scaffolding goes up on Greenstone's tower and big dreams take shape nearby, the momentum building across this corner of Chicago has never felt more tangible. History is being preserved, and the future is being built — block by block, stone by stone. History buffs and curious neighbors are encouraged to visit the Pullman National Historical Park at pullmanillinois.org to learn more about the restoration and upcoming community events.

Sources:
1. https://chicago.suntimes.com/architecture-design/2026/03/26/work-1-2-million-restoration-landmark-pullman-church-greenstone-troubled-iconic-bell-tower