All Saints Episcopal Church (Chicago)
| All Saints Episcopal Church | |
|---|---|
5 | |
| Region | United States |
| Leadership | The Rev’d E. Suzanne Wille, Rector |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 4550 North Hermitage Avenue Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| State | Chicago |
  Shown within Chicago  All Saints Episcopal Church (Chicago) (Illinois)  All Saints Episcopal Church (Chicago) (the United States) | |
| Geographic coordinates | 41°57′54″N 87°40′22″W / 41.96500°N 87.67278°W |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | John C. Cochrane[1] |
| Style | Stick style |
| Completed | 1883 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | ~200 |
| Spire(s) | 1 |
Chicago Landmark | |
| Official name: All Saints Church and Rectory | |
| Designated | December 27, 1982 |
| Website | |
| http://www.allsaintschicago.org/ | |
All Saints Episcopal Church (or All Saints) is a
History
The church was designed by architect
The church community flourished through the 1950s but in 1960, attendance began to dwindle and by 1992, the church was in danger of being shuttered.[5] despite being declared a city landmark only ten-years earlier.[2] At that time, the congregation's membership was reported to be only about 30,[6] but increased interest and attendance since 1992 prevented the closure of the church.[2] The church's attendance has continued to grow, and some sources have noted that All Saints could be considered the "fastest growing Episcopal congregation in Chicago."[9][10] In 1992, a renovation plan for the church began and was completed in 2016 with a $2 million renovation plan to address structural issues with the church and restore its exterior design.[7]
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The church was recognized with the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award in 2017.[7][11]
Church and community services
The church offers several morning services on Sundays which either follow a low church or broad church format.[12] In addition, the church partners with Ravenswood Community Services (RCS) to provide outreach and aid to disadvantaged members of the community.[13] The church kitchen operates a weekly food pantry with the help of volunteers from both RCS and the congregation, and has sometimes catered to as many as 400 individuals in one night.[14]
Special events
All Saints has been noted for some events that deviate from typical Sunday services. One such special service in the Fall is an annual pet blessing, where members of the congregation are invited to bring their pets to church to receive blessings.[15] In 2010, the service included 74 dogs, 13 cats, one rabbit, one lizard, and several other animals.[16] The Day of the Dead is celebrated along with All Saints' Day in a single service. A New Orleans-style brass band is invited to process into the church and accompanies the choir during this service.[17]
References in literature
Poet Carl Sandburg was believed to be one of early congregants of All Saints.[5] One of his poems, entitled Onion Days, describes a produce seller named Jasper in the following manner:[18]
- Jasper belongs to an Episcopal church in Ravenswood and on certain Sundays
- He enjoys chanting the Nicene Creed with his daughters on each side of him joining their voices with his.
Sandberg is thought to be referring to All Saints in this particular passage, as it was the only Episcopal church in Ravenswood.[19]
References
- ^ "All Saints' Episcopal Church". ExploreChicago. Archived from the original on December 15, 2011. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
- ^ a b c d "All Saints Church and Rectory". City of Chicago. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
- ^ "About Us". All Saints' Episcopal Church. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
- ^ "History". All Saints' Episcopal Church. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
- ^ a b c "Aid in the Restoration of a Chicago Landmark". Chicago Real Estate Forum. June 5, 2011. Archived from the original on January 19, 2013. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
- ^ a b Johnson, Rob (September 23, 2011). "Your Chicago: All Saints Episcopal Church". CBS Chicago. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Kamin, Blair (August 5, 2017). "Restoration of church, apartment complex reveal value of neighborhood architectural gems". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
- ^ "Preservation Heritage Fund Grants: Northeast". landmarks.org. Landmarks Illinois. Archived from the original on November 3, 2014. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
- ^ Brachear, Manya A. (May 6, 2006). "Rev. Bonnie Perry: Pastor Doesn't Shy From Call". Chicago Tribune. ChicagoTribune.com. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
- ^ Brachear, Manya A. (May 7, 2006). "All Saints keeps its pastor; She won't be bishop, but she's glad to stay". Chicago Tribune. All Saints' Episcopal Church. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
- ^ "2017 Award Winners Landmarks Illinois". Landmarks Illinois. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
- ^ "Overview of Sunday Services". All Saints' Episcopal Church. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
- ^ Warren, James (November 19, 2009). "Outside a World of Wealth Stands the Reality of Hunger". The New York Times. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
- ^ Warren, James (September 23, 2011). "Hunger in America, Visible if You Look for It". The New York Times. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
- ^ Jeffers, Glenn (October 4, 2004). "Parishioners' Pets are Blessed". Chicago Tribune. All Saints' Episcopal Church. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
- ^ Rickard, Jane (October 5, 2010). "Pet Blessing at All Saints Episcopal". The Welles Park Bulldog. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
- ^ "Music". All Saints' Episcopal Church. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
- ^ Sandburg, Carl (April 1916). Chicago Poems. Henry Holt and Company. p. 28. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
- ISBN 1-893121-01-1. Retrieved October 31, 2013.