Sentimental Church (Record) Sunday: St. Michael Catholic Church, Old Town, Chicago - Exterior

While visiting my son in Chicago in August 2017, I was able to easily walk from the daylight basement apartment where we were staying in Lincoln Park to another Catholic church, St. Michael in Old Town.  I made a couple trips there over the week we were visiting.

St. Michael the Archangel parish was started in 1852 for German immigrants.  In 1866, work began on a brick church, designed by noted architect August Walbaum, using red sandstone bricks made locally, and limestone trim.  This church was completed and dedicated in September 1869.

The Chicago Fire of October 1871 nearly destroyed the building - only the walls were left standing.  The church was rebuilt and rededicated in October 1873.

The 290-foot-tall spire was dedicated in May 1888.

A large four-faced clock, installed in 1894 by Mathias Schwalbach of Milwaukee, is part of the tower.

The spire is capped by a gilded cross more than 24 feet tall and 9 feet wide. 

 A nine-foot statue of St. Michael the Archangel, carved by Gault and Company, was raised to the niche above the main entrance in 1913.

The Romanesque front facade was also added in 1913, by Chicago architect Hermann J. Gaul.

More details in my post next week!  I will also explain the family connection in a future post.

© Amanda Pape - 2018 - click here to e-mail me.