St. Agatha Church
3147 W. Douglas Blvd.

The present edifice, built in 1982, bears a crucifix from its predecessor church on its stark reddish brown brick. It continues a historical presence in the Lawndale area, one of Chicago’s most economically poor.

As the largest black Catholic parish on the West Side, its lay leadership is vigorous in the face of AIDS, drugs and gangs.

There’s plenty of pride here, in a lively Gospel choir, Sunday Mass attendance, St. Agatha Family Empowerment youth program, employment prep and food pantry.

Summer usually sees the congregation taking Mass to the boulevard, bringing chairs and tables for the picnic that follows. As they mark the parish’s 110th year this June, Mass will be outdoors as it was on the Sunday the parish began.

St. Agatha is a symbol of stability here: when the industries and businesses left, it remained; when the neighborhood changed and other churches left, it remained. The BVM Sisters are still a presence in its school, Our Lady of the Westside, after 108 years.

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