Mark Clark Park

Amidst the small town of Peoria, IL, lies Ward Chapel, A.M.E. Church. While it may appear to be a typical historic house of worship, Ward Chapel holds a profound connection to the Black Panther Party Heritage Trail in Illinois, particularly through the leadership of Mark Clark. As a prominent Black Panther leader, civil rights advocate, NAACP champion, and passionate activist, Clark dedicated his life to fighting racial injustices during a pivotal era in our nation’s history.

Ward Chapel, A.M.E. Church holds a meaningful place in local history as the only church in town to welcome Mark Clark, Defense Captain of the Illinois Chapter’s Peoria Black Panther Party, to launch a Free Breakfast for Children Program. The church’s partnership with the Black Panther Party stands as a a significant chapter in the community’s legacy of care and resilience.

Beyond its ties to the Black Panther Party, the church is also the oldest church in Peoria, having hosted legendary figures such as Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington. In December 2023, the National Park Service recognized the importance of this site, officially adding the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party to the National Register of Historic Places, further solidifying Mark Clark and Ward Chapel’s role in shaping both Peoria’s and the nation’s civil rights history.

Today, it continues to serve as a space for historical reflection and community action. Trust for Public Land is collaborating with the Historical Preservation Society of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party, Ward Chapel A.M.E., and the family of Mark Clark to create a park that honors his legacy.

On December 4, 1969, Mark Clark alongside Illinois Deputy Chairman Fred Hampton, were shot and killed during a police raid in Chicago. This park will help preserve and celebrate Clark’s enduring commitment to justice, equity, and community care.

Once completed, Mark Clark Park will provide a serene space for quiet reflection and an opportunity for visitors to honor the past, connect with the present, and carry forward the values that shaped Mark Clark’s life and work. It will stand as a lasting tribute to his legacy and to the community that continues to tell his story.