St. John of the Cross Church — unconventional — with the simplicity and honesty of a house.

It is the last church designed by the imaginative Edward Dart. Envisioned in 1974, just 10 years after the end of Vatican II, it leans toward worship rather than devotion, with little statuary, sans steeple or bells.

Its unpredictable design with two side chapels, has a steep pitched cedar shake roof, exterior walls of Chicago common brick, trussed ceilings of Douglas fir, natural and artificial lighting as well as a porch and open courtyard.

A new Visser pipe organ was just added to enhance liturgies. The parish sees its purpose as “worship, formation and charity.”

It is lived out daily in answer to needs of sharing parishes, local food pantries, or overseas disasters, in adult formation of all sizes and shapes, as well as religious ed, a thriving school and in liturgies particularly responsive to people with special needs.

Pastor: Father Richard P. Hynes
Masses: Saturdays 5 p.m./ Sundays 7:30, 9 and 10:45 a.m.; 12:15 and 5 p.m.
Seating capacity: 900
Parish founded: 1960
Phone: (708) 246-4404
Web site: www.stjohnofthecross.org

Photo by Sandy Bertog