One view of this edifice tells the awesome story of the Apocalypse in “the largest stained glass window east of the Mississippi,” (executed by Peter Recker of Carl Schmidt Studios).

No artistic ambivalence about belief—we see Christ as Judge, one arm raised—the other lowered, Evangelists, Four Horsemen, tumbling firmaments, the just in a mushroom cloud on the Last Day, with the commandments and cross intersecting on a golden slab.

The church’s interior, one of our first “modern” constructions, dedicated in 1954, is as reverent as a medieval cathedral. On the reredos at the opposite end of the nave “smoke” swirls upward from the altar of sacrifice to perhaps the tallest crucifix in the archdiocese.

A frescoed Way of the Cross covers the long nave’s upper walls. Colorful abstract stained glass “walls” have been added alongside aisles where statues punctuate the space for private prayer.

Today’s worshippers are as diverse and interesting as those in 1901 who built the nearby St. Paul Railroad. A 15-minute program before the 4 p.m. Nov. 18 centennial Mass with Cardinal George will celebrate the parish’s unity in diversity.

Pastor: Alfred P. Corbo
Masses: Saturdays 5 p.m./ Sundays 7:30, 9 10:30 a.m. in English; 12 p.m. in Spanish
Parish founded: 1901
Seating capacity: 800
Phone: (847) 455-1100

Photo by David V. Kamba