All Saints Episcopal Church (Chicago) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids All Saints Episcopal Church
All Saints Episcopal Church
Religion
Affiliation	Episcopal
Province	5
Region	United States
Leadership	The Rev’d E. Suzanne Wille, Rector The Rev’d Courtney Reid, Associate 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 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 still an active church. It is famous for helping its community with programs like a food pantry and fun events for everyone.

The Church's Story

Building and Design

The All Saints Church was designed by an architect named John C. Cochrane. It was built in 1883 at the corner of Wilson and Hermitage Avenues. Before this, the church members met in a nearby Methodist church.

The building has a special look called "stick style." You can see this in the vertical wooden beams and decorative shingles. This style is rare in Chicago. All Saints is also the oldest wood-frame church in the city. Wood was likely used because other materials, like stone, were too costly. Also, the church was outside Chicago's city limits. After the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, wood buildings were not allowed inside the city.

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. It was built in a different style, known as Tudor Revival. The church once planned to tear down and rebuild the main church building in the early 1900s. However, the Great Depression stopped their plans.

Growing and Changing

The church community was very strong through the 1950s. But in 1960, fewer people started attending. By 1992, the church was almost going to close. This was even though it had been named a city landmark just ten years earlier.

At that time, only about 30 people were members. But since 1992, more people became interested and started attending. This stopped the church from closing. The number of people attending All Saints has continued to grow. Some people even say it is the "fastest growing Episcopal church in Chicago."

In 1992, a plan began to fix up the church. This big renovation project finished in 2016. It cost $2 million to fix problems with the church's structure and make its outside look new again. In 2017, the church received the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for its restoration work.

All Saints Episcopal Church in the early 20th century

Helping the Community

Church Services

The church holds several services on Sundays. These services follow different styles, either "low church" or "broad church."

Community Outreach

All Saints also 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 RCS and the church help out. Sometimes, as many as 400 people get food in one night.

Fun Events

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

Pet Blessing

One popular event in the fall is the annual "pet blessing." Church members are invited to bring their pets to church to receive special blessings. In 2010, this service included 74 dogs, 13 cats, one rabbit, one lizard, and several other animals!

Day of the Dead Celebration

The church also celebrates the Day of the Dead along with All Saints' Day in one service. For this event, a New Orleans-style brass band is invited. They march into the church and play music with the choir during the service.