St. Joachim Church
700 E. 91st Street, Chicago

Some accent the first syllable—others the second, but however you pronounce St. Joachim, he was Mary’s dad. Under his patronage, this parish was founded in 1896 in the Burnside community, to serve Irish laborers. Today’s parishioners are mainly African-American, retired or still working as city employees, teachers, postal workers and in other occupations.

Architect George S. Smith enlarged and remodeled the original church in 1933. Adding a remarkable brick façade gave it a modern look and helped it withstand time. Steel girders were added in the 1940s and the sacristy was enlarged. Due to a generous response to the Millennium Campaign the edifice was redone a year ago and air-conditioned. Their state-of-the-art baptismal pool has its water purified every three hours via ultraviolet light.

The 350 families who call St. Joachim’s “home,” pray and play well together, and welcome the stranger. Visit their October fish fry to get acquainted.