The church was established as St. Clara Parish in 1894 to serve German-speaking Catholics in the newly developed neighborhood. In 1923, St. Clara Parish commissioned prominent Chicago church architect Henry J. Schlacks to build the Renaissance Revival church. In the past 50 years, the church has faced many obstacles. A 1976 fire closed the building for four years. In 1990, a parish merger rebranded the church as St. Gelasius Church. The small size of the St. Gelasius congregation led the Archdiocese of Chicago to close the parish in 2002, and shortly afterward the Archdiocese applied for a demolition permit for the historic building. By successfully campaigning for landmark designation, community activists saved the church in 2003. In 2004, the Archdiocese found a religious order, the Institute of Christ the King, willing to take on the empty church and attract a new congregation. In October 2015, another fire ravaged Shrine of Christ the King, leading the Archdiocese to seek demolition again. The congregation joined with preservationists and neighbors to form the Coalition to Save the Shrine, which made a public case for preservation and inspired pledges of over half a million dollars to the Shrine’s restoration. In response to this outpouring of support, the Archdiocese deeded the building to the Institute, thus ensuring the Shrine’s survival.

Despite its own challenges, the congregation has continued supporting its community. After the 2015 fire, Shrine of Christ the King hosted Masses at a parish outside the neighborhood but still led prayers on the church’s steps. The congregation collaborated with local stakeholders to host Christmas block parties with the lighted church as the backdrop. This event included a charitable giveaway of toys and coats for children, carols by candlelight, and an outdoor Nativity scene. Prior to the fire, the church also hosted a classical concert series, community meals, and neighborhood meetings.

A $250,000 National Fund grant with over $500,000 in matching funds raised by the congregation and Save the Shrine Coalition contributed to the restoration of the church’s fire-damaged roof. The compromised existing roof truss system was removed, and a new steel truss system was fabricated and installed to ensure structural stability and weatherproofing. The congregation deemed National Fund work “critical to bringing the religious and the geographic communities together for a common purpose.” The installation of the new roof demonstrated clear progress in completing the full restoration of this church and reopening the building to congregants and visitors.

Photo Credit: 16th Street Baptist Church