Exclusive Tour of St. Mary of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Bridgeport

Discover the rich history of St. Mary of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Bridgeport on an exclusive private tour with a knowledgeable guide. Immerse yourself in the captivating stories and insights that bring this beautiful southside landmark to life. Join us for a unique journey through faith and community!

St. Mary of Perpetual Help Catholic Church is historic church of the in the Bridgeport neighborhood and a prime example of the so-called Polish Cathedral style of churches in both its opulence and grand scale. Founded in 1882 as a Polish parish, it remained a parish for Polish workers in the Union Stockyards until the yards closed in the early 1970s

We will have a private docent-led tour through the church. Before the tour, we are allowed to walk around and take pictures. Since we are getting a private guided tour, there is a $10 fee per person. I will collect $10 from everyone and give it to the St. Mary of Perpetual Help Church in appreciation of the tour. Please bring CASH for the donation! If necessary, I can accept Zelle, Venmo & PayPal so I can give one big group donation after the tour. All need to check in with me at the start of the tour & pay me directly~

If you would like to pay in cash on the day of the tour instead of buying a ticket online, please contact me directly at Z2lvdmluYXJvIHwgaG90bWFpbCAhIGNvbQ== or send a text to 312.835.4259. I will ensure that you can make the payment in person at the beginning of the tour.

The tour promises to be an enlightening event on a Saturday afternoon. It is an event that brings multiple meetup groups together! Although it's not exclusively a photo tour, there will be ample chances to snap pictures!

After the tour, some of us will get lunch at one of the many nearby places:
Zaytune Mediterranean Grill 3129 S Morgan St. https://order.zaytunegrill.com/
Bridgeport Coffeehouse 3101 S Morgan St, http://www.bridgeportcoffee.net/
3 Little Pigs 964 W 31st Street https://www.eat3lp.com/
El Taco Azteca - Bridgeport, 3355 S Morgan St https://www.ordereltacoaztecabrifport.com/

All are welcome to join! BRING CASH IF JOINING FOR LUNCH, AS SOME VENUES Don't accept separate checks!

This church was founded in 1882 to serve the Polish families of Bridgeport. It has a Romanesque exterior of decorative brick with stone corbelling. The interior is Byzantine and resembles a Greek Cross with half domes and arches surrounding a 113-foot-high central dome, recently restored. The dome is made entirely of wood with ornamental copper and is lit by a ring of lantern windows. The lavishly-decorated nave is enriched with Stations of the Cross, statuary and original stained-glass windows by Joseph Artmaier. The nave and sanctuary also feature fine scagliola work, elaborate altars, a suspended pulpit topped by a cupola, and decorative stenciling and murals by John Mallin. The Austin organ was installed in 1928.

The history of St. Mary of Perpetual Help Parish began circa 1880 as Polish immigrants began settling in the Bridgeport area and established this newly founded community as their home. As the number of Polish immigrants grew, so did the need for a Roman Catholic parish that would minister to their own spiritual needs. In 1882, local residents joined together to purchase a two-story frame building, located on the corner of Farrell and Lyman streets, to serve as the church, school and convent.

In late 1884, Reverend John Radziejewski, advised by the Most Reverend Patrick Feehan, Archbishop of Chicago, purchased property bounded by 32nd Street, 32nd Place, Aberdeen Street and Morgan Street. On October 8, 1886, Reverend John Zylla was appointed the first resident pastor of St. Mary of Perpetual Help Parish. During his pastoral tenure, Father Zylla began the construction of the magnificent structure of our present parish church. Father Zylla served the people of this parish until May of 1891.

In May of 1891, the Most Reverend Patrick Feehan appointed Reverend Stanley Nawrocki as the second pastor of this parish. Under his leadership, Father Nawrocki completed the building of the Church in 1892 according to the architectural plans drawn by Joseph Engelbert. Upon completion, the magnificent edifice was dedicated by the Vicar General of the Archdiocese, the Very Reverend Daniel Dowling, pastor of the neighboring St. Bridget Church. Through the continued generous support of the parishioners, the parish became free of debt before long. As a result, a momentous occasion took place in the history of this parish when Archbishop James E Quigley consecrated St. Mary of Perpetual Help Church on October 24, 1903; thus St. Mary of Perpetual Help Church became the first Polish Roman Catholic Church in the United States to be bestowed with this great honor.

Since 1999, the church has undergone extensive restoration of the original structure, the interior decoration by John A. Mallin in 1961 and the 1928 Austin organ, Opus 1602. The historic paintings in the Shrine Altars which date to 1890, were restored by the Art Institute of Chicago. The Joyful Mysteries are depicted in the "Shrine of our Blessed Mother", while the "Shrine of St. Joseph" holds paintings of the Holy Family, the Flight into Egypt and the Marriage of Joseph and Mary. The nave is decorated with fine scaliola work and a suspended pulpit is topped by a wedding cake cupola. A new mosaic of Our Lady of Perpetual Help by the Soprani Studios of Rome was recently installed, as well as the contents of a time capsule of precious historical documents
https://www.stmaryofperpetualhelp.com/

If you are taking public transportation, please check Google Maps for directions or use CTA trip planner. https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/

If you are driving, there is parking on 32nd Street,31st Street and Morgan with plenty of free side street parking. Just watch for permit only areas.

PLEASE KEEP RSVP UP TO DATE AND DO NOT BE A NO SHOW!

How to find us: *TICKETED EVENT* Meet inside the front vestibule of the church. We will wait for our docent for the tour. Tour starts promptly at 12 pm. Call me 312.835.4259 if lost of late

For more info about my meetup group, click on the links below:

https://www.meetup.com/1001-things-to-see-in-chicago-before-you-die/

Also check out other Meetups in Chicago, Arts events in Chicago, Nonprofit events in Chicago.