St. Gregory the Great Roman Catholic Church
In 1904, four enthusiastic men from what was then called the Summerdale neighborhood of Chicago propositioned the newly appointed Archbishop James E. Quigley for a parish of their own in what is now Andersonville. This parish, which would go on to be known as St. Gregory the Great Roman Catholic Church, was established April 27, 1904. The St. Gregory community came to be known for its lively parish life, with a particular interest in supporting family life and the arts. Though originally founded by Luxembourgers, the congregation’s makeup has shifted as the neighborhood’s population has shifted. Yet even with these changes, the parish remains a testament to the resilience and dedication of its ethnically mixed, middle-class members, embodying the spiritual and cultural ethos of the community.
In the summer of 2020, St. Gregory merged with St. Thomas and St. Ita to form Mary, Mother of God Parish. St. Gregory stands as the pillar of the arts in the new parish community, providing a space for musicians and artists from throughout the city. Even after the merger, St. Gregory continues its legacy in its tradition of beautiful and solemn liturgical worship. This exhibit tells St. Gregory’s story.