Click on the links below to skip down to a venue.
VENUES
- Alice Millar Chapel
- Grace Episcopal Church
- Grace Lutheran Church
- Our Saviour's Lutheran Church
- St. Clement's Church
- St. Giles Episcopal Church
- St. James Cathedral
- St. Joseph's Church
- St. Procopius Abbey Church
The contemporary Gothic architecture of Northwestern University's chapel blends the traditional and the modern, with contemporary furnishings designed by Edward Grey Halstead and a traditional exterior. The chapel is best known for its splendid stained glass windows. The great chancel window is the largest of the chapel's 12 windows, dominating the entire south end of the building.
Directions
The chapel is located at 1870 Sheridan Road, at the south end of the Evanston campus, where Sheridan Road turns north and merges with Chicago Avenue. There is parking garage 1 block south between Church St. and Clark St., just east of Chicago Ave. From Davis St. stop on either CTA or Metra, walk east on Church St. or Davis St. to Chicago Ave., turn north (left) on Chicago Ave. to the chapel. This is a 10 to 15 minute walk.
Grace Episcopal Church was designed by parishioner and noted architect, John Sutcliff, in the English Gothic Revival style. The nave, made of brick and Indiana limestone, was dedicated in 1905. The Seabury carillon tower was completed in 1922 and dedicated in honor of Bishop Samuel Seabury, the first American bishop of the Episcopal Church.
Directions
From Eisenhower Expressway take Harlem Avenue northbound 1 mile to Lake St., then 1/2 mile east (right) on Lake St. There is a municipal parking lot just west of the church on the north side of Lake St. By CTA or Metra: Take Metra or Green Line to Harlem/Marion exit. Exit on Marion St. side, walk north 1 block to Lake St., turn right (east) and walk 2-1/2 blocks to the church.
Grace Lutheran Church was designed in a modified Gothic style by the architectural firm of Tallmadge and Watson and dedicated in 1931. The sanctuary, which seats 900 people, has outstanding acoustics due to its spatial proportions and the materials used to construct it. Cleft slate flagstone was used for the floor, oak for the pews, Indiana limestone for the window trim and baptismal font, and African marble for the chancel altar. An oak reredos, containing a cross with a gold leaf Circle of Glory (a symbol of the Resurrection), rises above the altar.
Directions
Grace Lutheran Church is at Division Street and Bonnie Brae in River Forest. From the Eisenhower Expressway take Harlem Avenue northbound to Division, the one block west on Division. Parking lot is south of the church.
St. Clement's Church is a gorgeous domed cathedral tucked away in the historical Lincoln Park neighborhood. Completed in 1918, the church is a small scale duplicate of the St. Louis Cathedral by the same architect, George Barnett. The building combines the traditional Byzantine dome with Romanesque twin towers and rounded arches. The interior walls were designed by Russian priest Gleb Werchovsy in 1930 and are reminiscent of Byzantine and Russian art.
Directions
The cathedral is located on the corner of Deming (2 blocks north of Fullerton) and Orchard (2 blocks west of Clark). Deming is one way west; Orchard is one way north. Street parking is limited, small church lot across the street, parking also available at Children's Hospital, 2316 N. Lincoln. By CTA: Fullerton stop on Red and Brown Lines. Walk east to Orchard, then north to Deming (Deming does not come through to Sheffield). Wheelchair accessible entrance through the rectory, elevator at street level. Please ask for assistance.
St. James Cathedral is one of the oldest buildings in Chicago's famed Magnificent Mile/River North neighborhood. Built in 1857, the building is a rare survivor of the 1871 Great Chicago Fire. The historic bell tower is the oldest in the city and the organ was the second largest organ in Chicago when it was installed, in 1870. In 1860, Abraham Lincoln visited St. James Cathedral on his famous inaugural tour. There is a plaque in the narthex honoring his visit, as well as a memorial to parishioners who have died defending the United States.
Directions
The cathedral is located on the corner of Wabash & Huron (2 blocks south of Chicago Avenue). Parking lots at Huron & State, Superior & Wabash, and Ontario & Wabash. By CTA: Chicago & State stop on the Red Line.
St. Joseph Church is a magnificent cathedral-like church of gothic proportions. Its Romanesque architecture features stunning stained glass windows with red and blue predominating, beautiful mosaics crafted in Rome at the Vatican Studios, and walls and floor of Portuguese onyx and Italian and French marble. This acoustical gem with its ninety foot ceiling and art deco detailing was built in 1938 by an historic parish which began as a simple log cabin mission, settled by Germans in 1845.
Directions
The church is located at the corner of Lake Avenue and Ridge in Wilmette. It is fully accessible and has ample parking just east of the church and rectory and also across Lake Avenue to the north. Driving from Chicago, take Sheridan Road north to Lake Avenue in Wilmette and then west to Ridge, or take the Eden's Expressway north and exit at Lake Ave. and drive east to Ridge. If coming from the north on the Eden's, exit at Skokie Blvd. (Eden's Plaza) and drive east on Lake Ave. The Metra has a stop in Willmette at Lake Ave. (a 10 to 15 minute walk), and the CTA Purple Line ends at the Linden (a 20 to 30 minute walk); cabs are usually available.
St. Procopius Abbey is 30 miles southwest of Chicago in Lisle, and rests atop an oak-hickory wooded hillside. Planning for the Abbey, which was designed by renowned Chicago architect Edward Dart, began in 1959. In 1973 the American Institute of Architects named the Abbey one of the most outstanding buildings in the United States. Home of a Benedictine monastic community, the building represents characteristics of Benedictine monasticism such as optimism, simplicity, and order, and creates the atmosphere of peace, restraint, and moderation necessary for the monastic lifestyle.
The Abbey's 65-foot apex dominates the monastery. Its bell tower, which can be seen from the cloister courtyard, houses three bells cast in 1892. One side of the gabled roof admits light through a 20 x 90 foot clerestory; the other side is covered by standing seam alloy. The poly-angled enclosed courtyard is a notable element of monastic architecture.
Directions
From Chicago, take 290 West to I-88 (East-West Tollway) toward Aurora to IL-53 South. Go ~1 mile on 53 to Maple Avenue; turn right (west). Go ~1 mile on Maple to College Road; turn left (south). The entrance to the Abbey is on the left, soon after you turn onto College Road. Large parking lot at the end of the driveway. Additional parking across the street, at Benedictine University. The building is fully accessible.
Directions
From the west:
Exit I-294 eastbound at Willow Road. Go east to Landwehr, turn left (north) to Walters, turn right (east). The church will be on your right.
From the east:
Exit I-94 (Edens Expressway) at Willow Road, go west to Pfingsten, turn right (north) to Walters, turn left (west). The church will be on your left.
Directions
I-88 from the West and Northwest:
Exit at Winfield Road; turn left (east) at Diehl Road; turn right (south) at Washington Street. You will pass through the downtown area of Naperville, and directly past Edward Hospital you will find our driveway.
I-88 from the East and Northeast:
Exit at Naperville Road; continue in the right lane and turn right (South). Turn right (west) at Diehl Road and go to Washington Street. At Washington turn left (South). Stay on Washington until you have passed through the downtown area of Naperville and directly past Edward Hospital you will find our driveway.
I-55 from the Southeast:
Exit at I-355 and proceed North. Exit at 75th Street to go Left (West) on 75th Street. Turn right (North) at Washington Street. Our Saviour's will be a left-hand turn directly before Edward Hospital. (you will pass Our Saviour's South location first).
I-55 from the South and I-80 from the Southwest:
Exit I-55 at Weber Road; turn left on Weber Road (Weber Road will turn into Naperville Rd);turn left (North) on Washington Street. Our Saviour's will be a left-hand turn directly before Edward Hospital. (you will pass Our Saviour's South location first).