Old St. Mary's Church
1500 S. Michigan Ave.

If a picture equals 1,000 words, we have only scratched the surface of the “new” Old St. Mary’s. Its origins make it the first church of any faith in Chicago, and from 1832 to 1871 it was the cathedral.

This sixth St. Mary’s, designed by Prisco Serena and Sturm “to be a beacon of faith,” was dedicated by Cardinal George July 21. As one enters the lofty narthex through the north (Sunday) entrance and moves into the nave, there is a rounded, immersion baptismal font. Red oak pews made by Pennsylvania Amish encircle the nave, with everyone within at least 45 feet of the raised cherry and oak altar.

A Creation/Ascension window is one of three dramatic stained glass works in the edifice, designed by artists in Ohio and made in Germany. Behind the altar is the familiar crucifix that had hung in the old church.

There is a Eucharistic chapel and one for daily Mass, sculpture that seems to breathe, a cloister walk within and a landscaped courtyard without, with an office building and social center on the site.

A planned religious formation program and a music ministry program already renowned just add to the welcoming aura of this multi-cultural South Loop parish.

Pastor: Father Francis P. DeSiano, CSP
Masses: Saturdays 5 p.m./ Sundays 8 and 10:30 a.m.
Seating capacity: 750 Phone: (312) 922-3444
Parish founded: 1833