St. Mary Magdalene Church
8426 S. Marquette Ave.
Photo by: Sandy Bertog
- Pastor:
- Spiritan Father Freddy Washington
- Masses:
- Sundays 9 a.m. English; 10:30 a.m. Spanish
- Seating capacity:
- 500
- Phone:
- (773) 768-1700
- Parish founded:
- 1910
Originally a national Polish parish, founded in 1910 on the Southeast Side, it is now a melting pot that relies on a delicate balance of flavors. Today's stately Romanesque-style church, built with a façade of distinctive Lannon stone, was dedicated in 1954. A communal Mass is celebrated once a month here to combine all ethnic blends from Creole to Polish. The other Sundays they work to avoid the sense it is "an English parish with a Spanish Mass" or "a Spanish parish with an English Mass." With just under 300 families, people know their neighbors at social gatherings, allowing for hospitality and a feeling of family. "You're not ashamed to express your culture," they say. There is adult catechesis through the year and Spiritan seminarians who reside in the former convent help with CCD and vacation Bible school. St. Mary Magdalene's Feast in July is celebrated with a carnival and ethnic treats. Everyone's welcome.
