Remember My Church

In 2020, St. Gregory joined St. Thomas and St. Ita in merging to form the new Mary, Mother of God Parish. Yet while the archdiocese folded the church into a new community, St Gregory’s unique history continues to shine through. It’s rectory now serves as a cultural center for Mary, Mother of God, carrying on its commitment to the arts to this day. The rectory hosts workshops on painting and sacred music, and the parish even offers a residency for local artists and musicians.  

In addition to these artistic endeavors, St. Gregory also continues to maintain a rich intellectual tradition within Mary, Mother of God as a site of several book groups on poetry, theology, and Christian literature lead by scholars in residence. Today, even the church building itself speaks to the mission of spreading Jesus’ message through sacred art in its preservation of its beautiful Gothic Revival architecture. In maintaining the woodwork of early 20th-century German artisans which lines its construction, St. Gregory melds its past with its present through their collective care for artistic tradition. 

While all three parish churches offer choral masses, St. Gregory specifically attempts to enhance their liturgy with choral music, harkening back to a foundational model of choral music, the Gregorian chant. Boasting multiple artist in residence programs, the church continues to draw Andersonville creatives who seek both the spiritual and artistic fulfillment offered by St. Gregory today.  

An Artists Voice: The Artist- In- Residence Program at St. Gregory  

"Evangelizing Through the Arts" 

Sarah Crow was interviewed due to her connection to and position as the artist-in-residence at St. Gregory. Crow is a Catholic artist and contributes to the parish by conducting tours, holding art workshops, and more. In this interview, she speaks on the history of the art and architecture of St. Gregory as well as her role in the current church as the “arts and cultural center” of Mary, Mother of God Parish. 

The items above depict part of St. Gregory's unique approach to evangelism and faith which emphasizes the power of art and music in connecting with God, your peers, and your surroundings. The full incorporation of artistic expression into the ethos of the parish has made St. Gregory a pioneer in shifting the landscape of Catholic worship.