In late 2024, Reformation Lutheran Church in Roseland faced possible demolition after years of vacancy and a legal dispute over its ownership. The historic church, designed by architect Solon S. Beman in the late 19th century, had been empty since a boiler failure flooded its basement in 2018.
Now, the property is set for new use as a medical center led by Black women. Dr. Maya Green and pharmacists Tonya Payton-Campbell and Ramona Burress lead the Onyx Health Collective, which includes Onyx Medical Wellness and the nonprofit Onyx360. In November, they took ownership of the church at 11310 S. Forest Ave., following court hearings with neighbors and the Metropolitan Chicago Synod about its future.
The group plans to restore both the church and an adjoining two-story school building to create Onyx Commons—a flagship location offering primary care, sexual health services, addiction medication, post-sexual assault care, gynecological care, cancer infusions, sickle cell anemia treatment, and more for residents of Roseland and nearby neighborhoods.
“It’s phenomenal,” said Arlene Echols, a Pullman resident who attended hearings to advocate for saving the church from demolition.
Ramona Burress emphasized that their plan is “more than a real estate transaction.” She said: “It is a long-term community investment and a response to the very concerns raised by neighbors, historians and preservation advocates. Our goal is to ensure the building’s history is not lost while giving it a sustainable future rooted in service, care and community ownership.”
Payton-Campbell hopes that research activities will also be part of Onyx Commons’ offerings.
The team also aims to seek landmark status for the property due to its connections with figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Barack Obama.
Despite significant damage—including holes in the roof, broken windows, crumbling masonry on the steeple and facade, graffiti inside near the altar, flood damage in both buildings and stolen stained glass—Onyx leaders believe restoration is feasible. They have already installed steel security doors and window coverings to prevent further damage.
Addressing code violations related to structural issues could cost more than $100,000 according to Burress. Overall renovation costs are estimated at $16 million. Funding sources include grants like one awarded by Landmarks Illinois from its Timuel D. Black Jr. Grant Fund for Chicago’s South Side; this fund supports efforts preserving South Side architecture and culture (https://www.landmarks.org/resources/financial-resources/timuel-d-black-jr-grant-fund-for-chicagos-south-side/). Additional funding may come from grant programs through city agencies or support from organizations such as IFF—a nonprofit lender—which has provided a letter of intent indicating potential project funding for work on the school building (https://iff.org/).
Onyx is working with John Gay of JAQ Corp., an architect experienced in historic preservation who will help develop plans that maintain architectural integrity while adding energy-efficient features.
Green said she learned about Reformation Lutheran Church’s situation through Block Club Chicago reporting: “Once we heard about it…we were notified…and my friend knew about Onyx360…that’s how we got connected.”
Echols praised Onyx’s approach: “I love the fact that doctors of Onyx have an idea to have this very much community-based organization that’s going to provide services right in the heart of the community.”
Burress added: “We can use our privilege to care for communities that we live in… And we start to drive conversation about health…preventative health…but also recognizing as clinicians we also have resources that we can directly connect those audience members or community members to.”
Restoration work could take three-to-five years before operations begin at Onyx Commons.
