St. Maurice Church
3615 S. Hoyne Ave., Chicago

The archdiocese of Chicago is the perfect place for an architectural treasure hunt. This little gem, nestled in near-South Loop&Mac226;s McKinley Park, was built in 1936 when the parish was 45 years old. The sand-colored neo-Gothic edifice with a clock tower, designed by McCarthy, Smith & Eppig, cost $150,000 to build. Carrara marble was used for the sanctuary floor and original altar, offset by light oak wainscoting, pews, and a carved reredos (behind the altar). Their rebuilt 1891 Kilgen organ still works but has needs. The many stained glass windows, with decorative stone tracery, depict Bible scenes and saints, including St. Maurice, a patron of soldiers.

Originally a German national parish, it became homogenized in the 1930s and now is about evenly balanced between Hispanic and other ethnic-Americans.

A parish of faith and generosity, the St. Vincent dePaul Society sponsors a food pantry for the area. For fun, come to autumn&Mac226;s St. Maurice Octoberfest.

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