As the third most populous city in the United States, Chicago is unsurprisingly home to a noteworthy selection of sacred places of worship. If you want to discover these cultural and architectural wonders, this list is an excellent reference to get you started.
Read on for an overview of 15 of the most interesting churches in the Windy City.
Augustana Lutheran Church
5500 South Woodlawn Avenue
This Brutalist-style building stands out with its all-brick and concrete construction. Inside its cave-like construction are pieces of sacred art from sculptor Egon Weiner.
The Chicago Temple
77 West Washington Street
If you are searching for the oldest church in Chicago, this is the one to visit. The First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple dates all the way back to 1831—six years before the city itself was incorporated. The original log cabin where the congregation assembled was built in 1834 and four years later, moved to its current address, where a 23-story skyscraper now stands.
First Church of Deliverance
4315 South Wabash Avenue
Designed by Walter T. Bailey, Illinois’ first licensed African American architect, this Streamline Moderne-style church is considered as one of the birthplaces of gospel music.
Fourth Presbyterian Church
126 East Chestnut Street
One of the best-known churches in the Windy City, this 1912 structure is the second oldest building along the Magnificent Mile and a fixture in the National Register of Historic Places.
New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church
4301 West Washington Boulevard
Formerly occupied by Saint Mel’s Irish Catholic Parish until 1993, the well-preserved structure was redesigned to feature windows with powerful Civil Rights-themed images.
Holy Name Cathedral
730 North Wabash Avenue
Formed in 1843, this historic church was rebuilt in 1875 after falling to the Great Chicago Fire. The current structure is hard to miss with its stunning Gothic Revival style. The Cathedral is also the seat of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Old Saint Patrick’s Church
700 West Adams Street
Also known as Saint Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church or simply Old St. Pat’s, this church is important not only for its religious members, but for its cultural significance for Chicago’s Irish lineage.
Saint Benedict the African Catholic Church
340 West 66th Street
This beautiful church is built in the style of traditional African huts and fitted with gorgeous hand-carved wooden furniture and sculptures. Also worth seeing here are the 10,000-gallon full-immersion stone baptismal pool and the Ann and Arthur Eiland Art Gallery.
Saint Clement Church
642 West Deming Place
Located in Lincoln Park, this Thomas P. Barnett creation was built in 1918. Its dome-shaped roof is inspired by the Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.
Saint Hedwig Catholic Church
2226 North Hoyne Avenue
This historic Polish cathedral is a spectacle that is visible from the Kennedy Expressway. It features a Baroque Romanesque design by renowned German architect Adolphus Druiding.
Saint Hyacinth Basilica
3636 West Wolfram Street
Another eye-catching Polish cathedral that can be seen from the Kennedy, this church first opened its doors in 1921. It boasts impeccable design both inside and out.
Saint Ita Romana Catholic Church
5500 North Broadway Street
With a 120-foot Gothic tower that is hard to miss, this Edgewater church is a remarkable construction. The tower is made of 1,800 tons of Bedford limestone, while its windows comprise more than 200,000 pieces of stained glass.
Saint John Cantius Church
825 North Carpenter Street
Here is another notable Baroque creation from architect Adolphus Druiding. Built for the city’s Polish community, its design is reminiscent of churches found in Krakow, Poland.
Saint Mary of the Angels Parish
1850 North Hermitage Avenue
Established in 1899, this Polish cathedral is considered as one of the most noteworthy examples of Roman Renaissance architecture in the country. Its design, courtesy of Henry W. Worthmann and John G. Steinbach, is reminiscent of no less than Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Italy.
Third Unitarian Church
301 North Mayfield Avenue
This church owes its modest design to architect Paul Schweikher, who is known more for designing suburban homes. Built with cost-effective brick and wood as its primary construction material during the Great Depression era, the structure exudes timeless elegance in its simplicity.
Notable religious landmarks are not the only highlight of the church real estate market of Chicago. You will also find a great selection of church buildings for sale in the Windy City. If you are interested in purchasing one for your local congregation, get in touch with Church Building Consultants Realty to learn about the best listings available today. Call us at 630.344.9449 or email Dan(at)ChurchBuildingRealty(dotted)com to learn more.