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South Side church relaunches services after Thanksgiving fire collapse
Renewal Life Church congregation celebrates new home after devastating blaze destroyed previous building
Published on Feb. 16, 2026
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After a fire destroyed their previous church home in Englewood on Thanksgiving Day, the congregation of Renewal Life Church has relaunched services in a new location in South Shore. The church held an official relaunch on Sunday, welcoming back members who had left in the aftermath of the fire. While it's been a difficult few months, the congregation is hopeful this new space will be their home for the foreseeable future.
Why it matters
The fire and collapse of the Renewal Life Church building in Englewood was a devastating loss for the small congregation. However, their ability to regroup and relaunch services in a new location speaks to the resilience of the community and their commitment to their faith and each other. This story highlights how a tragedy can bring a congregation closer together.
The details
The fire consumed the Renewal Life Church building at 59th and Emerald in Englewood on Thanksgiving Day. Rebuilding the church was not an option, so Pastor Je'rico Brown searched for a new space, eventually landing on the third floor of a building in South Shore. The congregation has been holding services there since early January, but the official relaunch on Sunday was an important milestone, both to celebrate their new home and to welcome back members who had left after the fire.
- The fire destroyed the Renewal Life Church building on Thanksgiving Day 2025.
- The congregation began holding services in their new South Shore location in early January 2026.
- The official relaunch of services took place on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
The players
Renewal Life Church
A South Side church congregation that was forced to relocate after their previous building in Englewood was destroyed by a fire on Thanksgiving Day.
Je'rico Brown
The pastor of Renewal Life Church who led the congregation in finding a new home after the fire.
Georgia Lindsay
A member of the Renewal Life Church congregation who expressed relief at having a new home for the church.
Chanelle Winters
A Renewal Life Church member who welcomed the opportunity to bring back congregants who had left after the fire.
What they’re saying
“It feels like home now. We've gone through the storms and not knowing where we were going to be.”
— Georgia Lindsay, Church member (abc7chicago.com)
“The first thought was, do we keep going? Is this our breaking point?”
— Je'rico Brown, Pastor (abc7chicago.com)
“Just to let them know, like, 'You may have lost hope, but we're here to regain it.' So whenever you're ready to come back, the doors are open. We're here, and let's keep it going.”
— Chanelle Winters, Church member (abc7chicago.com)
What’s next
The congregation plans to continue holding services in their new South Shore location, with the hope that this will be their permanent home for the foreseeable future.
The takeaway
The resilience and determination of the Renewal Life Church congregation to regroup and relaunch services after the devastating loss of their previous building is a testament to the power of community and faith. Their story highlights how a tragedy can bring a congregation closer together and inspire them to move forward with renewed purpose.
