With 3,600 registered families, this may be the largest parish in Chicago and probably one of the largest churches, with seating for 1,000.

Designed by architects Barry and Kay, the exterior is faced with Mankato stone and took three years to build. Its “cathedral quality” interior is elegant and prayerful, with a generosity of at least four types of marble. It also includes hand-stenciled trim, African mahogany paneling, walnut pews, marble statues and double-decks of stained glass windows depicting saints and Biblical events.

Its bilingual bulletin serves a multi-cultural parish including Poles, Hispanics and Filipinos. Electronic bells in the 126-foot tower announce 11 weekend Masses—in three languages—with weekend attendance at about 6,000! (Three Masses are celebrated in the “chapel,” their first brick church, built in ’36 and restored in ’97.)

The laity’s leadership and devotion are also expressed by participation in many parish societies and in evangelization programs.

Multi-language street banners are proclaiming “75 Years of Blessings: Faith, Education and Service” and a 75th anniversary multi-lingual Mass will be sung by parish choirs at 12:30 p.m. May 5 with Cardinal George as main celebrant.

Pastor: Father David J. Cortesi
Masses: Saturdays 5 p.m., English • Sundays 7:30 & 9 a.m., 12:30 & 5 p.m., English • 10:45 a.m., 3 & 6:30 p.m., Polish — Chapel: 7:30 a.m., Polish • 10:30 a.m, English • 12:15 p.m., Italian
Seating capacity: 1,100
Phone: (773) 622-5900
Parish founded: 1927
Web site: saintferdinand.org

Subscribe to the the Catholic New World

top