South Loop in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Old St. Mary Church

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 28, 2025

1. Old St. Mary Church Marker

Inscription. The Paulist Fathers
✝
Dedicated July 21, 2002
Francis Cardinal George
✝
Founded 1833
Chicago's First and Oldest Parish

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.

Location. 41° 51.683′ N, 87° 37.453′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in South Loop. It is on Michigan Avenue 0.1 miles north of 16th Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1500 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago IL 60605, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: George Smith Memorial Building (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct

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line); 20th Century Healthcare: St. Luke's Hospital (approx. 0.2 miles away); South Michigan Ave. Motor Row (approx. 0.2 miles away); (Former) Engine Company 104, Truck 31 (approx. 0.2 miles away); George Pullman (approx. 0.3 miles away); John J. Glessner House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Henry B. Clarke House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Visionary (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding Old St. Mary Church. St. Mary’s has had roughly a half-dozen different homes in its nearly 200 years of existence. The original parish opened in 1833, the year Chicago was incorporated as a town, on Lake Street just west of State Street. A new cathedral was opened at Madison and Wabash in 1843; that church was destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. A historical marker can be found at that site, on the wall of the Heyworth Buliding that stands there now.

With a new cathedral for Holy Name parish being erected north of the river after the fire, St. Mary’s then moved south, into the former home of Plymouth Congregational Church at Wabash and 9th, where it stayed until 1971. After that church was demolished,

Old St. Mary Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 28, 2025

2. Old St. Mary Church

the parish moved into its old chapel nearby until the current church building opened in 2002, some two miles south of its original 1833 location.

Also see . . . Old St. Mary's History.

Excerpt: "Old St. Mary’s at 9th and Wabash fell into disrepair and was demolished in 1971. The Old St. Mary’s Chapel at Van Buren and Wabash became the new site for Old St. Mary’s Church. On July 21, 2002, the parish community proudly dedicated their new church (1500 S Michigan), one of architectural beauty and distinction. We are very grateful to those who contributed to the Beacon of Faith Campaign which made this facility possible."

(Submitted on February 28, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Chicago Daily News Collection, Chicago History Museum, February 10, 1919

3. Old St. Mary Church

This 1919 photo depicts the Old St. Mary's church building at 9th and Wabash. It was acquired by the parish after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and was its home until 1971. The current parish building was opened about a mile south in 2002.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 213 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 28, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.