Church of the Immaculate Conception (Chicago, Illinois)

The Church of the Immaculate Conception, referred to in Polish as Kościół Niepokalanego Poczęcia Najświętszej Maryi Panny is a historic church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago located in, Chicago, Illinois. It is a prime example of the so-called 'Polish Cathedral style' of churches in both its opulence and grand scale. Along with St. Michael's, it is one of the two monumental Polish churches dominating the South Chicago skyline.

History

Founded in 1882 as a Polish parish, Immaculate Conception was the first Polish parish in the working-class steel mill district of South Chicago, but it was divided three times to form the Polish parishes of St. Michael, St. Bronislava and St. Mary Magdalene. The parish school was reopened in 1998.

Architecture

The church building, designed by Martin A. Carr was completed in 1899. Like many of Chicago's Polish Cathedrals, its Renaissance style recalls the glory days of the Polish Commonwealth in the 15th and 16th centuries. The church was restored in 2002, with new altars designed by Frank, Lohen, and McCreany of Washington DC. In addition, a new plaza was built to the north of the church.

See also