Lawsuit accuses Bronzeville church janitor of sex abuse

A man claims he was sexually abused as a child by a janitor at a Bronzeville neighborhood church between 1991 and 1995.

The alleged victim, now 34, says most of the abuse happened two to three times per week in the custodian’s office at Progressive Community Church, 56 E. 48th St., according to the lawsuit filed Friday in Cook County Circuit Court.

The janitor — who was hired by his brother, the pastor of the church — also abused him at the man’s South Side home, the suit claims.

The man named as a defendant in the suit along with the church and pastor has not been criminally charged. Calls and emails to the church were not immediately returned Friday evening.

The three-count suit claims the pastor knew about the abuse and seeks at least $150,000 in damages.