Temple of Medina

One of the most prominent buildings in North Chicago is the Temple of Medina. From the name we can conclude that this is a cult building, but in fact it is not. Today there is a huge furniture store Bloomingdales.

The building has a pronounced style of the Islamic mosque. Horseshoe-shaped arches, geometric ornaments, decorative grilles and domes all refer to eastern architecture. Above the main entrance is the inscription “There is no god but Allah” made by traditional Arabic script. But the mosque was never here. The building was built in 1913 as a meeting place for members of the ancient Arab order, which included only nobles known as Mystic Shrine. Its origins are to be found in British Masonic lodges. At that time, representatives of Freemasonry romanticized the Middle East, so symbols of the Islamic religion were used.

The temple had the best acoustics in the city and the most impressive organ. The famous Chicago Symphony Orchestra used the temple's central hall as a recording studio for 15 years.

Since 2000, the appearance of the building has been restored, but the interior has undergone significant changes for the better. The opening of a large store of equipment and furniture required the organization of space for retail space. The central hall of the temple lost balconies, the original inclined floor, wonderful chandeliers and the famous organ.