St. Ita Roman Catholic Church

Saint Ita’s Parish was founded on July 1st, 1900, by Reverend John Crowe in the Guild Hall on the southwest corner of Bryn Mawr and Winthrop for Irish Catholics in this area of Chicago. The first parishioners included 53 families. In 1904, the Parish opened its basement doors as an educational facility, alongside the Sunday Service classes for kids. Saint Ita Parish was seen as a home in the community, ignoring all imperfections and opinions from parish-goers but rather embracing each other's love for the church and Catholicism. The parishioners soon outgrew this original church and ground was broken on a new building in the French Gothic style on April 7th, 1924. Construction was completed with the dedication of the church on October 9th, 1927. The church began giving liturgies in English in the 1960s and with a diversifying population in Spanish some 20 years later. The parish is still currently operating united under the Mary, Mother of God name established in 2020.

Important Photographs and Information of St. Ita’s

The St. Ita's Parish guild hall where the church was first founded. 

St. Ita's Guild Hall c.2008. The Guild Hall remains the same in design to this day. 

Photograph of the old St. Ita Organ and Rose Stained Glass Window.

St. Ita's Schoolroom picture taken in 1968.

Taken from a history book in the St. Ita's archives, we find information regarding history of St. Ita's over the past 100 years. 

Taken from a history book in St. Ita's archives, here we find the history of St. Ita's Church from the mid 1920's through the late 1940's.

Taken from a history book in the St. Ita's archives, here we find photos of the old church and rectory prior to the renovation, and some relevant information as well.

Written in the Local Chicago Newspaper, an article was published on the fourth of August, 1999, regarding the 1 million dollar expansion and details of the groundbreaking ceremony at St. Ita's Roman Catholic Church.

St. Ita Parish Staff at the time of the 1 million dollar renovation.

A modern photo of the Sanctuary at St. Ita's.