St. Bonaventure Church
1641 W. Diversey Ave., Chicago

St. Bonaventure’s has been described as an intimate space— “simple, like a chapel in the city.”

Through the years it has been the home of hard-working blue-collar people completely absorbed in parish life. Now they are witnessing a wave of change, with massive gentrification of their Lake View community.

The parish’s transition will carry mixed blessings. While older neighbors head for condos, an influx of young marrieds are attracted to the Cardinal Bernardin Early Childhood Center nearby. Through it all, life goes on and faith abides.

Age-old devotions for Italians, Hispanics and Puerto Ricans still draw believers. When a nearby church closed, its theater troupe, the St. Sebastian Players, were welcomed at St. Bonaventure and will begin their 14th season there this fall.

The Romanesque building, 90 years old, will have some necessary restoration next year as the parish prepares to adequately serve the church that is emerging here.

Pastor: Father James A. Heneghan
Masses: Saturdays 5 p.m./ Sundays 8:30 a.m. (10:15 a.m. in Spanish), noon and 7 p.m.
Phone: (773) 281-6588
Parish founded: 1911
Seating capacity: 750