All Saints Episcopal Church (Chicago) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids All Saints Episcopal Church
All Saints Episcopal Church
Religion
Affiliation	Episcopal Church (United States)
Province	5
Region	United States
Leadership	The Rev’d E. Suzanne Wille, Rector
Status	Active
Location
Location	4550 North Hermitage Avenue Chicago, Illinois, United States
State	Chicago
Architecture
Architect(s)	John C. Cochrane
Architectural style	Stick style
Completed	1883
Specifications
Capacity	~200
Spire(s)	1
Chicago Landmark
Official name: All Saints Church and Rectory
Designated	December 27, 1982
Website
http://www.allsaintschicago.org/

All Saints Episcopal Church, often called All Saints, is a historic church located in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. It was built in 1883 and became a special Chicago Landmark in 1982. Today, All Saints is an active church. It is well known for its helpful community programs, like a food pantry, that bring people together.

Discovering All Saints' History

How the Church Building Began

The All Saints Episcopal Church building was finished in 1883. It was designed by a famous architect named John C. Cochrane. Before this building, the church community met in a nearby Methodist church.

The church was built in a special style called "Stick style". You can see this in its vertical wooden beams and fancy shingles. This style is quite rare in Chicago. It is also the oldest wooden church building in the city. Wood was likely used because other materials, like stone, were too costly back then. Also, the church was outside Chicago's city limits. This meant it could use wood, which was not allowed in the city after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

The beautiful stained glass windows were first made by the Healy & Millet company. Later, in 1905, John Hulla designed the building next door, called the rectory. He used a different style for it, known as Tudor Revival. The church once planned to tear down and rebuild the main church. However, the Great Depression in the 1930s stopped their plans.

Growing and Changing Over Time

The church community was very strong through the 1950s. But by 1960, fewer people were attending. In 1992, the church was almost closed down. This was even though it had been named a city landmark just ten years before.

At that time, only about 30 people were members. But then, more people became interested and started attending. This growth saved the church from closing. Since then, the church has continued to grow. Some people even say All Saints is the "fastest growing Episcopal church in Chicago."

In 1992, a big plan to fix up the church began. This project was finished in 2016. It was a $2 million effort to fix problems with the building's structure. It also helped to bring back its original look. In 2017, the church received an award for its excellent preservation work.

All Saints Episcopal Church in the early 1900s

Church and Community Programs

Sunday Services and Worship

All Saints Church holds several services on Sundays. These services follow different styles of worship.

Helping the Community

The church works with Ravenswood Community Services (RCS). Together, they help people in the community who need support. The church kitchen runs a weekly food pantry. Volunteers from both RCS and the church help out. Sometimes, they provide food for as many as 400 people in one night!

Fun and Unique Events

All Saints is known for some special events that are different from regular Sunday services.

Pet Blessings

One popular event each Fall is the annual pet blessing. People are invited to bring their pets to church. The pets then receive a special blessing. In 2010, this service included 74 dogs, 13 cats, one rabbit, one lizard, and many other animals!

Day of the Dead Celebration

The church also celebrates the Day of the Dead along with All Saints' Day. This is done in one special service. A New Orleans-style brass band is invited to play music. They march into the church and play along with the choir during this service.