Whatever the term, storefront churches are a disappearing breed now. The rise of religiously charismatic mega-churches has played a role. So did stricter practice of zoning laws (storefront churches are often a non-conforming use.) Years of increasing real estate values along commercial areas of black Chicago have driven out many of these churches. Why rent for pennies to a small church when you’ve got CVS, Walgreens and others offering you a tidy bundle to demolish your building?
Lee Bey has a short, wonderful photo/essay on Chicago storefront churches.