St. Viator Church
4170 W. Addison St., Chicago

Here is one of the Northwest Side's oldest Catholic parishes (25 others have sprung from her boundaries), and it is still served by the Viatorians.

Nothing was spared to make this limestone Tudor Gothic church designed by Charles L. Wallace artistically outstanding. From exquisite mosaics along the delicately carved carrara marble altar to an imposing wood-ribbed barrel vault ceiling and everything in between. It was dedicated in the spring of 1929 - just before the Crash.

Experts say its many jewel-like windows in deep reds and blues, by Emil Frei Studios of St. Louis, imitate the 13th century style of those in Chartres Cathedral.

The parish enjoys great cultural diversity including Poles, Irish, Hispanics, Filipinos and others. A Holy Hour in English, begun in the 1930s, continues from 1-2 p.m. Tuesdays in the chapel. An outdoor grotto of Our Lady constantly overflows with people's prayers, flowers and candles. St. Viator school turns 100 this year.

Pastor: Father Robert M. Egan, CSV
Masses: Saturdays 5 p.m./ Sundays 8, 9:30, 11 a.m.; and 12:30 p.m. in Spanish
Phone: (773) 286-4040
Parish founded: 1888