Chicago Parishes

[Seamus_L]

Here’s the churches in Chicago that were or are Italian, Kearney.

All Saints. 25th-Wallace (Bridgeport) Originally Irish, became predominantly Italian. This beautiful gothic church was torn to create an expressway off ramp. 1875-1973

St Anthony of Padua 222 W Kensington (Kensington) Founded by Northern and Southern Italians who were ordered to work togather by the Cardinal. Mostly Hispanic now. It has a beautiful interior.

Assumption BVM 313 W Illinois (near Downtown) Founded by Northern Italians. It has a beautiful interior with shrines to Our Lady of Sorrows and St Philip Benizi.

St Callistus. Bowler St (West Side) Very small 1919-1994

St Francis De Paula 78th-Ellis. Not originally an Italian parish, but became predominantly Italian for awhile. 1911-1991

Holy Guardian Angel. Church was at 3 different locations in the area where the UIC (university) now is. Had a large number of Sicilians. 1899-1963

Holy Rosary. 612 N Western. A rather small church with a surprisingly beautiful interior.

Immaculate Conception BVM 1421 N Park. Not originally Italian, but for awhile had a sizeable number of Italian parishoners.

Santa Maria Addolorata. Now at 528 N Ada. A modern building. Original building at another location has been torn down.

Santa Maria Incoronata (now St Therese) 218 W Alexander (Chinatown) Small but with an impressive interior. Congregation is mainly Italian and Chinese.

St Mary of Mount Carmel. 6722 S Hermitage (west Englewood) Most original parishoners came from Salerno. Now a Protestant church. Original church was woodframe 1891-1976.

St Michael the Archangel 2325 W 24th-Pl. A small church

Our Lady of the Angels. 3800 W Iowa. Scene of the tragic 1958 fire. Didn’t begin as an Italian parish, but was probably two thirds Italian for awhile. 1894-1990. Now a Protestant church. Not sure of the building date but it was not the original building.

Our Lady of Pompeii. 1234 W Lexington. Still mostly Italian. A small church with a beautiful interior.

St Philip Benizi. Oak St and Cambridge (near Northside) Founded as a Sicilian parish. A very beautiful church. Torn down to build public housing 1904-1965

St Francis Xavier Cabrini. Lexington St (West Side) 1936-1987
When I have time I'll list the suburban ones.

 

[Kearney]

Thanks

 

[Seamus_L]

As for suburban parishes.

St Donatus. 1939 Union (Blue Island) Still largely Italian. Has a yearly festival.

San Rocco 315 E 22nd-St (Chicago Heights) 1905-1990. Site of a very bitter closing by Cardinal Bernardin.

Our Lady Of Mount Carmel. 1101 23rd-Avenue (Melrose Park) Doesn’t have a Latin Mass, but is fairly traditional.
The talk at the Institute of Christ the King sounds interesting, I'm considering attending.

 

[Kearney]

Do they still offer a Latin NO at OLMC on feast days? Also, I hope someone films the talk at the ICK shrine then is kind enough to put it up on You Tube? I’ve always had a great interest in church architecture, as well as the big city ethnic parishes.

 

[Seamus_L]

I don’t believe OLMC in Melrose Park has a Latin Mass. However, I do know that alot of Trads go there for the the procession, and announcement flyers always request that those participating, wear appropriate attire.
I'am absolutely obsessed with church architecture as well, and Chicago once had some of the most beautiful churches in North America. We still have some very expressive examples, but you'd be shocked at what has been torn down or sold, or gutted.

 

[Seamus_L]

Another good book about the Archdiocese of Chicago is. A history of the parishes of the Archdiocese of Chicago : published in observance of Centenary of the Archdiocese, 1980 / sponsored by John Cardinal Cody ; edited by Harry C. Koenig.
It's in 2 volumes and contains a wealth of information, though the picture presented, of most parishes after the 60's and 70's is one of "all is well" in every parish.