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St Mary of the Angels Church
Rating Details »
Categories: Churches, Landmarks & Historical Buildings [Edit]
Neighborhood: Bucktown1850 N Hermitage Ave
(between Bloomingdale Ave & Cortland St)
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 278-2644
24 reviews for St Mary of the Angels Church
GORGEOUS!!! The restoration on this cathedral (church doesn't do it justice) is amazing. This church was supposed to be closed and the people in the community came together to save it. An amazing example of what can happen when people's energy is put towards the positive.
My two favorite things--the Virgin & child painting in the entranceway that was snuck out of Communist Poland and that they place the dress code sign next to the statue of St Michael spearing Lucifer.
If the architecture & beauty don't interest you--it's run by Opus Dei..the order that is in Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code.
This is the church I was married at--I couldn't have asked for better. It was better than I could have ever imagined and the photos were incredible..I feel that the church itself was part of the wedding party.
The church has the longest aisle in Illinois..which you don't think much of until you have to walk down it in your wedding gown with everyone facing you.
for all those who reviewed and recommended this church...THANK YOU. it was a little outside of the city. very beautiful! im glad to know that as soon as i got out of the train, the church stood out so i know i wouldn't have gotten lost lol
the outside architecture stood out among the rest of the town. i go inside and i feel like i'm in another place! that is how churches are supposed to be! the high ceiling and artwork ...words can't describe it but to say ...heavenly =)
This church is awesome. And when the Archdiocese of Chicago marked it for closure due to declining parish support and much needed repairs it could not afford, a few neighborhood boys done good rolled up their sleeves and raised all the money and then some in the seemingly impossible timeline to stop demolition.
Knowing the story and having sat for hours in the church just thinking and admiring the beauty makes me kind of believe that miracles can and do happen. And for that reason, I am happy to help them raise money for their school or any other social service they offer. The parish is a mixed bag of Polish, Hispanic and young urban families and it all meshes very well together. This is truly a spiritual and magical place.
And I'm not even Catholic.
This is one of the few great preservation stories in Chicago's history, particularly in this neighborhood where developers rule all. Just head a little south to St. Boniface on Noble near Chicago Ave. to see what could have become of this gem if the Archdiocese of Chicago had had their way and shuttered it. Score one for the parishioners and community who worked to save it.
I'm glad to see the reviews from all of the other natives who never attended here, but still feel a connection to it. We referred to this as "the dog church" when I was a kid because the nuns kept samoyeds in the yard for the students to play with. By the way, back then there was no such neighborhood as "Bucktown." Some of those developers just made that up.
This church gets 5 stars for one reason, and one reason only.
No, it's not the architecture.
No, it's not the 9 foot tall angels that adorn the top.
No, it's not the bats that swarm out of the belfry every night.
It's the only church in the country that's run by Opus Dei. The Prelature of the Holy Cross. The secretive priestly cabal that practices self-flagellation. C'mon, you've heard of the DaVinci Code, right? Those guys. That's who runs St Mary of the Angels.
Five friggin' stars, baby.
St. Mary of the Angels Church is a beautiful church located in the heart of Bucktown. The Catholic prelature Opus Dei was given the charge of restoring and supporting the church, and it looks beautiful.
The church itself is fairly conservative, but most anyone could enjoy a Mass here. The homily will speak to everyone!
Construction of SMA was finished by primarily Polish immigrants in 1920. The stained glass windows are in Polish, and SMA is the only place in the United States like this. There is a beautiful Pieta, a terrific statue of St. Michael the Archangel, a shrine to OL of Guadalupe. The "basilica" of the church has an amazing painting of Mary Queen of the Angels, God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost.
There are large pieces of artwork located to the left and right of the alter area. The paintings depict priests of a different era with the Founding Fathers of the United States and the American Flag.
This church is as architecturally stunning as it is a tribute to Our Lady and the Catholic Church.
Masses are given on Sunday in English, Polish, and Spanish.
A Chicago Treasure! A beautiful, majestic example of the blood, sweat and tears that our early Polish American settlers put into making this building shine.
A must see!
My Wife and I attend Saint Mary Angels mostly every Sunday, what I also like about it, there are Priest to her Confessions 7 days week and 20 minutes before Mass.
From Jason Burdette
As a child peering out the car window from the highway: I was in awe of the peaks of this majestic church.
As an adult, I walk by this church everday on my way to and from the train and I still cannot help but look up and smile at this piece of Chicago history.
Its really beautiful from the outside and I would love to take a peak inside!
I'm a sucker for a pretty church, and St. Mary of the Angels is one of the prettiest. My former roommate and I would always talk about how it would be awesome to send kids to the preschool across the street from the church, just to be able to know a little kid that would say "St. Mary of the Angels" in a sweet little-kid voice. Sigh.
Anyhoo, a star off for being taken over by Opus Dei, who are truly not cool people. We went to mass here once, the homily was about some sort of nutty bullhooey that really wasn't for everyone...
This is hands down one of the most beautiful buildings I've ever seen. I've never attended a mass at this church, so I'll let others speak to that.
Honestly. Do yourself a favor and go bask in the pure awesomeness (in the true sense of the word) that is this architectural wonder.
The church building is quite old-fashioned, pretty and nicely restored. I read someplace that the pastor who built it thought he was going to be made a bishop, and built the parish church to fit his ambition.
The liturgy is something else. The hymnals are old cast-offs from other parishes. Sometimes the presiding priest says the Angelus before the Mass is over, which just isn't right--at least wait until after the dismissal! And it's distracting to see folks lined up to go to confession during Mass--one thing at a time, please!
The music is a mix of vernacular and Latin, which the congregation seems to have little trouble singing.
Amazing church. Stunning architecture that reminds you how awesome God is. The masses I have gone to there have always been incredible and drawn me closer to God. Plus Opus Dei is great.
One of most beautiful places to see in Chicago. I have never attended the mass but I just love the way you feel when you walk in there. I will surely attend a mass soon and as soon as can I will write an update.
This is, quite possibly, the most beautiful parish church I've ever been in. I'm excluding cathedrals because they're in a class of their own. To think we almost lost this parish is a shame, but I'm certainly glad the parishioners fought to keep it. This church is very old school- it's been probably 25 years since I've been to a church where you can kneel at the communion rail to get your host. Masses are offered in Polish and Spanish in addition to English. I never made it to Spanish mass, but I did go to Polish mass the first time I went here because I didn't know any better. I figured most of the mass would be in Polish, but the sermon would be in English, which was what they did at the Spanish masses where I went to college. Nope, even the homily was in Polish. I guess the funny part was trying to listen to the other people in front of me so I'd be able to say "amen" in Polish so I could take communion. Turns out they say amen too, so the crisis was averted. Lesson learned- stick to the English masses if you're not bilingual.
All that aside, I can't get over the details with which this church was built. It is absolutely majestic.
Best catholic church ever! Beautiful, stunning architechture in a great neighborhood with plenty of parking. Service is held not too early or late in the morning on Sundays and the clergy is fresh and professional. WONDERFUL !
This is the church that my father grew up by. Growing up I always thought it was the most amazing church! When I was younger, we went every year to the carnival and benefits to save the church. HOW could they even imagine tearing it down? Yes they wanted to. Today I think I appreciate its beauty more. Just an amazing church!
Yeah its a church
This Polish parish is absolutely stunning and is in wonderful condition. The interior rivals the exterior in beauty, with gold trim and an enormous organ. The pews seat 1200 people and five masses are offered every Sunday in English, Polish, and Spanish. The acoustics are not so great, so it is better to sit closer to the front. The church was nearly torn down 15 years ago, but experienced a revival.
St. Mary's is my chuch. It stands tall and is quickly noticeable when driving down on the 90/94 going East or West. Its one of the most beautiful churches this city has. The Church was almost torn down yet through the help of parishioners and the neighborhood, it had work done and is now open for all to see. It is a landmark of Bucktown/Wicker Park.
The most beautiful church in Chicago! You just can't get better than St Mary's, although there are a few others that come close. None of the pictures added can even do it justice to when you see it in person. It is a living museum. I feel most close to God when I make a visit. I like it so much...I am getting married there this summer!
I've never been in the church, but I love love love the way this church looks -- I've nicknamed it the "Sniper Angel Church." I always imagine the huge, larger-than-life angels picking off bad drivers on the Kennedy.
This is such a beautiful church. I do not attend mass but if I did I would go here. It's my families church and has been for generations. Just go inside to look at it. It is one of the most beautiful churches in Chicago. The architecture, the stained glass windows. Absolutely a must see.
I did a lot of church shopping when I moved here 3 years ago and I found this to be my favorite. I now consider this to be my home Parish. I enjoy the Priests, the music (at the 11am mass) and the atmosphere. They offer confession at every mass and have it available during the week as well. They have a good Young Adult program with talks and events. As long as I am here in Chicago this will be my parish...
