St. Therese (Chinese) Church
218 W. Alexander St., Chicago

Italian immigrants saw Santa Maria Incoronata Church dedicated in 1904— a brick Romanesque design by architect William F. Gubbins. Expansion of the nearby expressways later changed the community’s makeup. By 1960 it became a parish of mostly Chinese Catholics and its name changed.

While the building has remained true to its roots, through the years unique elements have been added: for instance, fu dogs guard the entrance, a painting depicts Mary as a Chinese empress, and Chinese New Year is celebrated at a small “ancestral altar” (above).

A new altar of sacrifice, carved in the Philippines, shows the Last Supper on the front and the Vatican in a pagoda on the back, with the sacrifice of Abraham, and Melchisidech dressed as a Chinese scholar complete with pigtail.

Restored and rededicated in 2001, parishioners say their parish has also been “restored.” People are determined to go ahead together, bound by love. The Chinese letters for love, “OI” grace the sanctuary. Today’s St. Therese is living proof of the church’s universality.

Photo by: David V. Kamba

Pastor: Father Michael Davitti, SX
Phone: (312) 842-6777
Masses: Saturdays 5 p.m./ Sundays 8 a.m. English; 9:30 a.m. in Cantonese on first Sunday; Indonesian on second Sunday; English on third and fourth Sundays
Seating capacity: 400
Parish founded: 1940