Two former Chicago cardinals have called this “a medieval gem in a modern setting,” and unlike the style “of any other church in the New World.” Designed by architects Comes, Perry and McMullen of Pittsburgh along Norman Gothic lines, it earns the title “Great” as did its patron, the sixth-century pope who molded a chant. This strong brown brick church was built in 1926 to serve German Catholics on the North Side. It is rich in warm wood details from its open trussed ceiling and carved altars, to statues of saints and angel-candlesticks. A wood filigree ambo bearing depictions of the four evangelists is one more mark of the German master artisans of Europe and Wisconsin whose genius is represented here. There are old world shrines to the Holy Souls, Christmas creche, the Holy Face and others. Its historic Moller pipe organ installed in the 1920s, still serves to lift hearts and voices.

Pope Gregory is in a large stained glass window over the entrance while other awesome jewel windows made from English glass represent the seven sacraments. A duo of painted winged seraphim guard the sanctuary and decorative stenciling curls along the ceiling. Beneath it, great stone archways flank the nave of this unique Catholic edifice with an Anglican flair.
with Cardinal George on Sept. 9 and a dinner-dance on Oct. 7.

Pastor: Father Bartholomew Winters
Masses: Saturdays 4:30 p.m./ Sundays 8:30, 10 & 11:30 a.m.; 1 p.m. in Spanish
Parish founded: 1904
Phone: (773) 561-3546
Seating capacity: 850
www.stgregory.net
Photo by: Sandy Bertog

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