Exclusive Guided Tour of St. Paul de Vincent Catholic Church in Lincoln Park

Let's visit the gorgeous St. Vicent de Paul Catholic church serving the Lincoln Park area. Visiting this church is like stepping into a masterpiece of both architecture and spirituality. St. Vicent de Paul is widely regarded as one of Chicago's most beautiful houses of worship. The grandeur of the church can be attributed to its incredible attention to detail, craftsmanship, and history, which come together to create a truly awe-inspiring experience. We will get an exclusive tour of this gem!

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. Vicent de 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~

The tour promises to be delightful 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!

After the tour, some of us will get lunch at one of the many nearby places:
Homeslice 938 W Webster Ave, http://getsomehomie.com/
Jam 'N Honey 958 W Webster Ave, http://www.jamnhoney.com/
Athenian Room 807 W Webster Ave https://athenianroom.net/

All are welcome to join! BRING CASH IF JOINING FOR LUNCH AS SOME VENUES WON'T DO SEPARATE CHECKS!

First known as "Father Smith's Farm", St. Vincent de Paul Parish was founded by Rev. Edward Smith, C.M., in 1875 at the corner of Webster Avenue and Osgood Street (now Kenmore Avenue) for German and Irish Catholics. This multi-use structure served as the church, school, parish hall, and rectory until 1891, when St. Vincent's School was established in a separate building. With the original building now largely vacated, the structure was heavily remodeled, adding a third floor, and was repurposed as the home of the new St. Vincent's College in 1898. This school later became DePaul University.

After the school's opening, planning started on the current church building at Webster and Sheffield Avenues. The new St. Paul's Church was dedicated on May 1, 1897, by Patrick Feehan, Archbishop of Chicago.
The new church, designed by James J. Egan of the firm of Egan & Prindeville, is in the Romanesque Revival style with Gothic touches. It is constructed of Indiana limestone and is considered representative of his best work. Its twin towers stand 140 feet tall.

Since its founding, St. Vincent de Paul has undergone several renovations, preserving its historical and architectural significance while adapting to the growing community's needs. The church is renowned for its stunning architectural details, which contribute to its reputation as one of the most beautiful churches in Chicago. Features like the spacious sanctuary, intricate marble detailing, and the Lyon and Healy organ—an exquisite instrument known for its craftsmanship—add to the church's splendor and acoustics.

Over the years, the church has remained a vital part of the local community, blending tradition with modern renovations to continue serving its parishioners and attracting visitors who appreciate both its rich history and its architectural beauty.

Their Pansza Garden, or Priest’s Garden, has been a sanctuary for priests and the community at St. Vincent de Paul. The garden honors the Rev. Ralph C. Pansza, C.M., who was an avid gardener and enthusiastic participant in the Annual Sheffield Garden Walk.

https://stvdep.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 Sheffield and Webster. Some free side street parking but the area is tricky to find parking so may want to do SpotHero or ParkWhiz to be safe. Otherwise allot time to find parking!

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