Exclusive Tour with Guide of St Alphonsus Catholic Church in Lakeview

Join us for a captivating visit to St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, a true masterpiece where history and spirituality blend seamlessly. Discover the beauty and importance of this remarkable place with our exclusive guided tour. Don't miss this unique opportunity!

The church features a striking weathered green copper bell tower, which has stood as a landmark at the intersection of Southport, Lincoln, and Wellington since 1896. Inside, the Gothic Revival design boasts a royal blue ceiling adorned with pointed arches and golden ribwork, complemented by stunning murals, sculptures, stained glass windows, and bas-reliefs.

We will have a private docent-led tour through the church. Before the tour, we are allowed to walk around and take pictures. Since we are getting a private guided tour, there is a $10 fee per person. I will collect $10 from everyone and give it to the Saint Alphonsus Church in appreciation of the tour. Please bring CASH for the donation! If necessary, I can accept Zelle, Venmo & PayPal so I can give one big group donation after the tour. All need to check in with me at the start of the tour & pay me directly~

The tour promises to be an enlightening event on a Saturday morning. It is an event that brings multiple meetup groups together! Although it's not exclusively a photo tour, there will be ample chances to snap pictures!

Note there is a baptism at 1 pm so we will have to take pictures before the tour. Therefore, we will meet at 11:30 am to walk around before 12 pm.

After the tour, some of us will get lunch at one of the many nearby places:
Golden Apple Grille & Breakfast House 2971 N Lincoln Ave, http://www.goldenapplegrill.com/
S&G Restaurant 3000 N Lincoln Ave, http://www.sandg-chicago.com/

All are welcome to join! BRING CASH IF JOINING FOR LUNCH, AS SOME VENUES Don't accept separate checks!

St. Alphonsus Parish was established in 1882, before the annexation of the Lakeview area into the City of Chicago. It was created to serve the growing Catholic population in the region, which expanded as people moved beyond the city limits following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The church primarily catered to the large German community in Lakeview and continues to hold a German mass, in addition to hosting a wonderful Oktoberfest.

St. Alphonsus was a central hub for the city's German community. Its interior features a beautifully restored royal blue ceiling, murals, stained glass, and other stunning elements. The church also owns the Athenaeum Theater, originally a German community center and folk opera venue.

With its towering central bell tower clad in weathered green copper, St. Alphonsus has been a prominent landmark at the six-way intersection of Southport, Lincoln, and Wellington since its completion in 1896. The parish was founded by the Redemptorist Fathers and became a significant center for Chicago's north-side German community. The Gothic Revival interior showcases a striking blue ceiling with pointed arches and golden ribwork in starburst patterns. This ceiling was restored following a fire in 1950. Additional features include murals, statuary, stained glass, and bas-reliefs that enhance the rich interior.

St Alphonsus was designed by Architects: Boos, Bettinghofer, Schrader & Conradi and completed in 1896. A devasting fire in 1950 gutted the church but it was restored and rededicated in 1952.

The Athenaeum Theater next to the church was originally founded by the Redemptorist Fathers of St. Alphonsus, as “a home for the intellectual, physical, and social intercourse” of their parishioners. Since its opening in 1911, the Athenaeum has continually served as a place for beauty, community, and the arts. It is Chicago’s oldest continuously operating Off-Loop theatre.

The Athenaeum was designed by architect, Hermann J. Gaul. Opened for the public and the parishioners of St. Alphonsus in 1911. Built for opera, dance, orchestral, and dramatic productions. Total Size is: 66,000 sqft and total seating: 1,220. In 2021 it was redeveloped with 4 million in renovations. The newly formed Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture (ACTC) is a new unique, state-of-the-art event space in the heart of Chicago for pre and post-show events, conferences, lectures, and other gatherings.

https://www.stalphonsuschicago.org/
https://athenaeumcenter.org/

If you are taking public transportation, please check Google Maps for directions or use CTA trip planner. https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/ easily accessible by bus and train

If you are driving, metered street parking is on Southport, Lincoln or Wellington. Some free side street parking. A large parking lot for the church is located on Oakdale Avenue and a smaller lot is located on Southport Avenue. We can park in the lot during the tour!

PLEASE KEEP RSVP UP TO DATE AND DO NOT BE A NO SHOW!