Providence of God Church
717 W. 18th Street

Historically, Pope John Paul II delivered a short address about the Campaign for Human Development outside this church during his visit here in 1979.

Established in 1900 as the second Lithuanian parish in Chicago, from the 1960s until recently it has been home to mostly Mexican families at the east end of the Pilsen community.

The present Romanesque church with twin steeples, designed by Leo Strelka, was dedicated in 1927. Its stained glass windows from Munich’s Franz Zettler Studios enrich both architecture and fervor.

Usually in late September the parish holds an exhibit of religious art and during November, sacred relics are displayed to honor the saints. While this parish of cultural diversity celebrates a number of Marian devotions yearly with novenas and song, its parishioners also support the needs of their poor with a soup kitchen and clothes closet.

Now gentrification and housing starts are bringing in newcomers whose needs will be different, but when this parish sees a challenge, they think Providence.

Pastor: Father Robert R. Perez
Masses: Sundays 9 a.m. (English), 10:30 a.m. (bi-lingual) noon, (Spanish)
Seating capacity: 750
Phone: (312) 226-2929