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Originally known as Saint Mary of the Assumption, our present parish began its story in April 1833, when the “Catholics of Chicago” signed and sent a petition to Bishop Rosati of St. Louis and said in part:
“We, the Catholics of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, lay before you the necessity there exists to have a pastor in the new and flourishing city. We count about 100 Catholics in this town. We will not cease to pray until you have taken our important request into consideration.”
The original Saint Mary’s Church was built in 1833 on the south side of Lake Street, west of State Street. The building was moved to the northwest corner of Michigan at Madison in 1836 where it was enlarged and an open belfry added. In 1843, with the establishment of the Diocese of Chicago, St. Mary’s Cathedral was built on the southwest corner of Madison at Wabash. The original wooden structure was cut in half and moved to the grounds of the cathedral where the first Catholic grammar school in Chicago was established in 1846. When the Cathedral was destroyed in The Great Fire in 1871 and plans were made for a new cathedral parish (Holy Name) north of the Chicago River, the Plymouth Congregational Church at 9th and Wabash (which had survived the fire) was purchased and became known as Old St. Mary’s.
The parish was placed in charge of the Paulist Fathers on October 12, 1903. In 1904, Fr. William Finn established the internationally acclaimed Paulist Choristers, a sixty-five voice choir of men and boys. Fr. Eugene O’Malley was the choir director from 1928 until its final season in 1967.
Old St. Mary’s at 9th and Wabash fell into disrepair and was demolished in 1971. The Old St. Mary’s Chapel at Van Buren and Wabash became the new site for Old St. Mary’s Church. On July 21, 2002, the parish community proudly dedicated their new church, one of architectural beauty and distinction. We are very grateful to those who contributed to the Beacon of Faith Campaign which made this facility possible.
Soon it became clear that there would be a need for a new educational ministry because of the number of young families who moved into the neighborhood and their desire for a faith-based, quality education for their children. Located on that new site were rooms constructed from a former charter school. As parents started to meet in 2003, they expressed the strong need for an educational alternative in the near South Loop because of the lack of schools, and particularly schools with a Catholic foundation. After many months of discussion, plans were finalized.
Old St. Mary’s Catholic School is now a reality, a new adventure in faith to mirror the new adventure of the whole South Loop, the recreation of a city in the heart of Chicago. In September, 2004, Old St. Mary’s Catholic School opened its doors to its first preschool class, with Barbara Spaniol-Smith as its first principal and teacher. A school board was formed and the reputation of the school grew in the neighborhood. We invite you to consider Old St. Mary’s Catholic School for your child. We encourage you to contact the school office and make an appointment to tour our facility.
Architecture and Design Elements
Our building at 1500 S. Michigan Avenue, designed by Serena Sturm Architects, Ltd. (formerly Prisco, Serena, Sturm), was dedicated on July 21, 2002. This beautiful worship space won the Association of Licensed Architects Silver Award, 2003.
The stained glass windows were created by award-winning artist Cindy Kessler of Loveland, OH; the nave windows depict Mary as the new Eve and Christ as the new Adam who gives all on the tree of life, the cross. The crucifix, which was behind the altar at our previous church, is flanked by red glass suggesting the Blood of Christ, flowing heavenward to the Ascension window above.
The glass behind the tabernacle in the Eucharistic Chapel depicts wheat and grapes. The sweeping lines also suggest the communion cup, as well as open hands and heart.
The womb-shaped baptismal font allows for baptism of adults by immersion, as well as baptism of infants in the smaller pool above.
The evocative Intimate Holy Family statue is by Bramante Studio of Kitchener, Ontario.
The Daily Mass Chapel holds the sculpture of Our Lady of the Assumption which was brought from one of our previous locations. The window, facing east to Michigan Avenue, portrays Psalm 113: "From the rising of the sun to its setting let the name of the Lord be praised." This window won the international BENE Visual Art Award for Stained Glass (2003-2004).
The window, facing west, is near the Stations of the Cross, and has the theme "broken sun, broken Son." It is also the westward-facing version of the verse from Psalm 113.
The Stations of the Cross are by Suzanne M. Young of Oakland, MI.
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