Basilica of St. Hyacinth
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Saint Hyacinth Basilica, formally the Basilica of St. Hyacinth, is a historic church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago located at 3636 West Wolfram Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.
The church structure -- a red-brick edifice in the Classical Revival style of the German-Polish tradition, with an ornate interior of Baroque influence -- was designed by the architectural firm of Worthmann & Steinbach. Ground breaking occurred on April 30, 1917 and the cornerstone was laid on October 21, 1917. Completion of the building was delayed for years by financial and construction difficulties. The first Mass was celebrated in the structure on August 7, 1921. Official dedication occurred on October 16, 1921 with Archbishop George W. Mundelein presiding.
Much of the inside of the church was decorated by John Anton Mallin, who decorated many other churches in Illinois. Beginning in the mid 1990's, and taking almost a decade, the interior was renewed thoroughly, much of the mural work being performed by Conrad Schmitt Studios, Inc., of Wisconsin.
On June 26, 2003, Pope John Paul II granted the designation of minor basilica, the third church in Illinois to achieve this status. On November 30, 2003, Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., officially proclaimed St. Hyacinth Church a basilica of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
St. Hyacinth is located in Chicago's Avondale neighborhood. In keeping with customs brought to the area by Polish immigrants, the area is also known as "Jackowo," as "Jacek" is Polish for the proper name "Hyacinth". Naming neighborhoods or geographical areas after the local parish church is a widespread habit of Catholics.
St. Hyacinth also supports a small school serving grades of K-8. It also has a preschool
