Location: West Side
Top Things to do in West Side
Things to do in Chicago, Illinois (IL): The Best Churches & Cathedrals
The windy city is a cornucopia of modern art, fine dining, cutting edge comedy, and die-hard sports fans. Snap a photo of your reflection in the silver Cloud Gate sculpture at Millennium Park before heading to Grant Park to get hit with the refreshing spray of Buckingham Fountain. There are dozens of museums and theater companies in Chicago, so a cultural experience is never hard to find. You’re sure to laugh your head off at the Second City Theater, the professional launch pad of many famous comedians.
Restaurants in Chicago
1. Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 46 reviews
Founded in 1892, Holy Trinity Cathedral is home to the oldest Orthodox parish in Chicago. This beautiful church was designed by the famous American architect, Louis Sullivan. It was consecrated by St. Tikhon of Moscow in 1903 and built under the leadership of St. John Kochurov of Chicago, who was martyred in the Bolshevik Revolution. Located in the heart of Chicago’s historic Ukrainian Village-Wicker Park neighborhood, Holy Trinity has been a vital part of the community for more than a century. It’s an official City of Chicago Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it’s the center of religious life for many Orthodox faithful and their families. We are dedicated to serving the people of God in the spirit of Christian love, and we invite you to come and worship with us whenever you are in the Ukrainian Village-Wicker Park area. Tours are available by appointment and on Saturdays as indicated on the website, or worship with us during services.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Chicago is a city of architecture, from Louis Sullivan to Daniel Burnham to Frank Lloyd Wright. The Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral, the cathedral church of the Orthodox Church in America Diocese of the Midwest, is one of only two churches designed by Sullivan, one of the seminal architects of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Located at 1121 North Leavitt Street, in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood, it was built in 1903, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 and designated a Chicago Landmark in 1979. Curiously, construction was partly financed by a donation of 4,000 roubles (or $2,700) from Tsar St. Nicholas II of Russia and $1,250 from Sullivan, who also donated the priceless Healy & Millet manufactured chandelier that is one of the highlights of the interior. The church, which was elevated to a cathedral in 1923, retains many features of Russian provincial architecture, including an octagonal dome, frontal bell tower, cupolas, window and roof framing and Art Nouveau decorative design over the western entrance to the church.
2. St Adalbert Church
3. Holy Family Catholic Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By O6378WFannag - Park Ridge, United States
Ist is located next to the prestigious St Ignatius Prep School. Founded in 1857 by father Damen (major street in Chicago is named after him). The first Jesuit church in Chicago. It is also one of the only 5 public buildings which survived the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. I went there during Open House Chicago and I heard there that it was called "Ellis Island of Midwest". A lot of Irish-Americans can trace their family tree back to this church which ones was the largest English speaking parish in US (with 25 000 parishioners). A lot of historical Chicago figures belong or prayed at this parish (O'Leary family - legend says that the Great Chicago Fire started at their stables; the first American saint Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, Comiskey family - John Comiskey is memorialized in one of the church's stained window - the oldest stained glass in Chicago - and his son is a founder of the Chicago White Sox - baseball team). Unfortunately, due to shortage of funds to keep this church open, it is not so easy to get there to visit it. Check mass schedule.
4. St. John Cantius Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
A diverse Catholic church in the heart of Chicago helping people encounter the Sacred through the sacraments, solemn liturgies, art, music, and culture. View the incredible artwork inside one of Chicago's most stunning churches—voted "Most Beautiful Church in America." After you finish looking up, notice the beautiful floors containing 17 varieties of inlaid hardwood from around the world.
Reviewed By AlexB10499 - Providence, United States
Absolutely gorgeous church in the River West neighborhood of Chicago, and perhaps the finest of the many so-called “Polish Cathedrals” in the city. Chicago calls itself the largest Polish city outside of Warsaw, which acknowledges the city’s importance as a major place of convergence for Polish immigrants. True to this heritage, the church of St John Cantius features Polish writing on many of its interior frescoes and statues. Today it hosts a thriving parish community, including one of America’s preeminent Tridentine Mass congregations, and is a significant center for sacred art and music. I visited the church on a Sunday but not during mass, so I was free to walk around and take in the beauty of the architecture. If you are the kind of traveler who likes to get “off the beaten path,” but doesn’t have a ton of time to spare, a visit to this church is a good compromise. There’s a Blue Line subway station nearby, and it’s only about a 10-minute ride to here from the Loop.
5. Old St. Patrick's Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
Reviewed By ShelleyOC88 - Billericay, United Kingdom
Beautiful church and a must visit. It’s close to other attractions too such as Adams st (Route 66) and Union Station.
6. St. Stanislaus Kostka Church
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 5 reviews
St Stanislaus Kostka Church is the only Catholic church in the city of Chicago that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days per week for sacred silence and Eucharistic Adoration. The front door of the Church is literally never locked. We are The Sanctuary of The Divine Mercy for the Archdiocese of Chicago. The largest monstrance in the world is located in our church. It is an iconic monstrance called "Our Lady of the Sign, Ark of Mercy". You can find more information about this and many other interesting facts about our church on our website. St Stanislaus Kostka Church is over 150 years old and is Chicago's architectural and historic gem. We welcome you to visit us for a spiritual, historic, and architectural experience. Our doors are always open - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
7. St Ann Catholic Church
8. St. Volodymyr Cathedral
9. Shrine of our Lady of Pompeii
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
10. St. Malachy and Precious Blood Church
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1 reviews
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