On what would have been Emmett Till’s 84th birthday, the Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood marked a powerful milestone in its transformation into a national monument and museum. Berglund Construction is proud to have completed phase one of the restoration, focused on preserving the historic exterior of the church that held Emmett Till’s open-casket funeral in 1955 - a moment that helped ignite the civil rights movement. 

The Roberts Temple building, now part of the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument, was once on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s endangered list. Our restoration team worked meticulously to stabilize and protect the original façade, ensuring the church remains a place of remembrance and reflection for generations to come. 

Jack Tribbia, President of Restoration, and Jeff Burandt, Project Executive, spoke during the recent event, sharing their deep sense of purpose in contributing to this sacred site. Their remarks highlighted the importance of preserving places like Roberts Temple, not just as historic landmarks, but as educational touchstones for future generations. 

The next phase of the project includes restoring the sanctuary to its 1955 appearance, complete with its original balcony and folding chairs. Plans also call for the development of community and visitor spaces, including a cafeteria, coffee shop, gift shop, theaters, conference rooms, and educational areas - all designed to further the mission of honoring Emmett Till’s legacy and sharing his story with the world. 

We are proud to be part of this meaningful restoration. As the work progresses, we remain dedicated to preserving our shared history, strengthening communities, and creating spaces that ensure these important stories are never forgotten. 

Watch the latest ABCNews 7 video segment on how Roberts Temple is being transformed to honor his legacy.