Chicago is known for its architecture and art.
Everywhere you look there are towering skyscrapers, intricately designed hotels, luxurious apartments and a host of historic buildings all over town — including of course, our very own luxury Chicago apartments.
The city's rich history of immigrants, artists, architecture and philanthropists has contributed an impressive collection of churches, cathedrals and basilicas all throughout Chicago.
We've already talked about some of Chicago's most beautiful churches, but why stop there? With so much to see and explore, we couldn't help but dive into more of Chicago's amazing churches and cathedrals.
More of Chicago’s beautiful churches
St. Michael's Church
Year built: 1852
Location: 1633 N. Cleveland Ave.
St. Michael’s Church was built in 1852 for Chicago’s quickly growing German community in Old Town, and by 1866 it was a thriving Roman Catholic parish. The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed the roof and windows, though, leaving just the stone walls standing in the ashes.
The church was quickly rebuilt and restored, and just two years after the Fire wreaked its damage across the city, the new St. Michael's Church rose from the ashes to stand renewed.
Inside, the domed arches and gilded pillars accentuate the towering ceiling, shimmering stained-glass windows and intricate murals covering the walls. Five large altars dedicated to different saints line the walls, each elegant and intricately depicting historical iconography and symbolism.
If you’re a fan of architecture, art or history — or if you want to attend one of their masses — then head over to St. Michael Church to check it all out!
Second Presbyterian Church of Chicago
Year built: 1874
Location: 1936 S. Michigan Ave.
This South Loop church has been a staple to the community and neighborhood for nearly 150 years. The congregation itself goes back even further to 1842, just a mere five years after the City of Chicago itself was incorporated!
The congregation grew rapidly and quickly outgrew its small buildings, requiring something much larger that would allow room to grow. Famed New York City architect James Renwick, Jr. was hired to design and construct a church in the Gothic Revival architecture style in the 1850s, although by the 1860s the congregation had once again outgrown their brand-new stone building. That building, by the way, was the first stone church built in Chicago!
The church once again needed a larger building, so yet another Gothic Revival church was built in 1872 at the church’s current location. A few fires and one interior redesign in the Arts and Crafts architecture style later, the Second Presbyterian Church of Chicago’s final and current form was finally completed in 1901.
The main sanctuary has remained pretty much the same since then, though more additions have been built onto the exterior and a few stained-glass Tiffany Windows were added in the 1920s and ‘30s.
The congregation isn’t nearly as large as it was back in the mid-19th century, but the stunning church is still open to all looking for a tour of the unique art and architecture.
The Gothic Revival exterior is characterized by heavy medieval features including lancet windows, gargoyles, a large rose window, a high-pitched gabled roof and a corner bell tower. Inside, the arts and crafts architecture style leans heavily on the lower roof, wood-paneled walls, detailed murals, intricate memorial windows, figurative art and angel motifs.
St. Hedwig Catholic Church
Year built: 1901
Location: 2226 N. Hoyne Ave.
St. Hedwig has stunned and entranced visitors since its opening in 1901, what with its astounding interior designs and Polish Renaissance style architecture.
Like many churches in Chicago, St. Hedwig’s was built for a community of immigrants. The congregation was founded in 1888, and the church was established as part of the city’s Polish parish in 1901. The Renaissance Revival interior and exterior harken back to designs created at the height of the Polish Commonwealth in the 1600s and 1700s, represented by the symmetrical façade, use of exterior columns, ornamental murals, stained-glass windows and ornate decorations.
Here’s a virtual tour of the stunning interior! Though of course we always recommend seeing the real deal in person!
St. Hyacinth Basilica
Year built: 1921
Location: 3636 W. Wolfram St.
This Polish Cathedral may not be as old as Chicago’s other Polish churches, but it’s certainly one of the more magnificent ones!
The three-towered, red brick façade of St. Hyacinth’s is visible from the Kennedy Expressway and is at the heart of one of Chicago’s largest Polish communities. Inside is a Baroque-inspired interior complete with extraordinary murals, elaborate carpentry and ornate decorations. A 3,000 square-foot mural hangs over the center of the church, and a host of statues and artifacts are on display along the walls.
The basilica has been visited by a number of significant figures over the past century, including Pope John Paul II, Polish President Lech Wałęsa and President George H. W. Bush, to name a few!
Fourth Presbyterian Church
Year built: 1912
Location: 126 E. Chestnut St,.
This Chicago landmark is significant in a number of ways.
First, it has one of the largest congregations in the Presbyterian Church in the United States, and it has been a staple in the city of Chicago for at least that long. The congregation itself was founded in February of 1871 when two other Presbyterian churches merged and the very first sanctuary that this early church built was completed on October 8, 1871. A few hours later, the Great Chicago Fire burned the structure to the ground.
The church was rebuilt three years after that, but in 1912 a new and larger structure began construction on what is now North Michigan Avenue. This brand new Gothic Revival building was designed by famed architect Ralph Adams Cram, who was known for his work on the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City.
This brings us to the next significant piece of this church's long Chicago History, which is its location on the iconic Magnificent Mile. It is the second oldest structure on the street after the Chicago Water Tower and is surrounded by some of Chicago's most upscale restaurants, museums and hotels.
If you're walking around downtown Chicago, the South Loop, the Magnificent Mile or anywhere else, then you're sure to see at least a few of the many, many worship centers and churches scattered throughout Chicago. Though these are just a few of the many, these magnificently designed churches have deep roots in Chicago's communities and histories. Be sure to check them out if you're nearby!
Enjoy!
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Featured photo courtesy Pixabay/Tama66
Colleen Ford is a South African who now lives on Oahu in Hawai'i. She loves to travel, camp, spearfish and hike. She's also part of a super cool canoe club and is pretty decent at it. Colleen enjoys Star Wars and also not being cold ever.
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