Private Guided Tour of St Paul's Catholic Church in Pilsen

Let's visit the vibrant and renowned St. Paul's Church, located in the Pilsen area. This church is considered one of the first Gothic-style churches built in the United States and is famously known as the "church built without a nail." It truly is a hidden gem in the Pilsen neighborhood. Additionally, there is a lovely coffee shop on the premises that is run by the students of the school!

We will have a private docent-led tour through the church. After the tour, we will be 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 St. Paul's 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. Please check in with me at the start of the tour & pay me directly~

There is a student run coffee shop on site if you want to grab a coffee before or after the tour!

After the tour, some of us will get lunch at one of the many nearby places:
Martin's Corner Bar & Grill 2058 W 22nd Pl, https://www.martins-corner.com/food-menu
Carnitas La Michoacana 2049 W Cermak Rd, https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoCarnitasLaMichoacana/
All are welcome to join! BRING CASH IF JOINING FOR LUNCH AS SOME VENUES WON'T DO SEPARATE CHECKS!

St. Paul Catholic Church was originally established in 1876 to serve 40 German families living in East Pilsen. Three years later, the parish purchased a large wooden building on 18th Street and Carpenter from St. Francis of Assisi Parish. This building was moved to its current location in 1880. When the need for a school arose in 1892, parishioners began construction, and it opened a year later. The construction of the church building took a bit longer. In 1899, the first Gothic-style church in America—built by skilled volunteers—was dedicated and has since been known as the “church without a nail.”

St. Paul Catholic Church is a stunning blend of brick, showcasing Gothic design, unique craftsmanship, and vibrant mosaics. The 245-foot-tall brick spire towers were designed by architect Henry Schlacks and modeled after those of the Cathedral of St. Cortin in Quimper, France.

Designed by Henry J. Schlacks between 1897 and 1899, St. Paul parish represents a rich heritage. It began with a small German community that established the church in 1876. These newly arrived immigrants brought a strong work ethic and a deep faith in God's providence. They fostered a vibrant civic community enriched by the culture of their homeland.

The school was the first structure built in 1892, followed by the laying of the cornerstone for the church in 1897. Remarkably, the exterior was completed in three years and was featured in Ripley’s Believe It or Not as “the church built without a nail.” The two exceptionally tall church spires and the school building reflect a faith community dedicated to nurturing responsible leaders ready to serve.

A significant renovation, including the addition of a banquet hall and a courtyard, was completed in 2013. Additionally, a coffee shop opened on-site in 2022, and the St. Ann Chapel, featuring stained glass from St. Ann Church, opened in early 2024.

https://stpaulchgo.org/
HOLY GROUNDS COFFEE SHOP: https://stpaulchgo.org/holygrounds/

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, there is free street parking and a lot for the church. It should be pretty easy to park here!

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