All Saints Episcopal Church (Chicago)

For other uses, see All Saints Episcopal Church (disambiguation).

All Saints Episcopal Church
All Saints Episcopal Church
Basic information
Location	4550 North Hermitage Avenue Chicago, Illinois, United States
Geographic coordinates
Affiliation	Episcopal Church (United States)
Region	United States
State	Chicago
Province	5
Status	Active
Leadership	Bonnie Perry, Rector
Website	http://www.allsaintschicago.org/
Architectural description
Architect(s)	John C. Cochrane
Architectural style	Stick style
Completed	1883
Specifications
Capacity	~200
Spire(s)	1

All Saints Episcopal Church (or All Saints) is a church of the Episcopal Church of the United States at 4550 North Hermitage Avenue in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Built in 1883, the structure was declared a Chicago Landmark in 1982. All Saints is currently an active church, and is most well known for its community outreach programs that include a food pantry and events that attract all members of its neighborhood.

History

The church was designed by architect John C. Cochrane and built in 1883 at the corner of Wilson and Hermitage Avenues. Previously, the congregation gathered in a nearby Methodist church. The building was created in stick style as shown by the use of vertical beams and decorative shingles and continues to be a rare example of stick style architecture in the city, in addition to being Chicago's oldest wood-frame church. The stained glass windows were originally designed by the Healy & Millet firm. John Hulla designed the adjoining rectory in 1905 in a Tudor Revival style. The congregation intended to demolish and replace the sanctuary in the early 1900s, however the Great Depression stalled their plan. The church community flourished through the 1950s but in 1960, attendance began to dwindle and by 1992, the church was in danger of being shuttered. despite being declared a city landmark only ten-years earlier. At that time, the congregation's membership was reported to be only about 30, but increased interest and attendance since 1992 prevented the closure of the church. The church's attendance has continued to grow, and some sources have noted that All Saints could be considered the "fastest growing Episcopal congregation in Chicago."

All Saints Episcopal Church in early 20th century

Church and community services

The church offers several morning services on Sundays which either follow a low church or broad church format. In addition, the church partners with Ravenswood Community Services (RCS) to provide outreach and aid to disadvantaged members of the community. The church kitchen operates a weekly food pantry with the help of volunteers from both RCS and the congregation, and has sometimes catered to as many as 400 individuals in one night.

Special events

All Saints has been noted for some events that deviate from typical Sunday services. One such special service in the Fall is an annual pet blessing, where members of the congregation are invited to bring their pets to church to receive blessings. In 2010, the service included 74 dogs, 13 cats, one rabbit, one lizard, and several other animals. The Day of the Dead is celebrated along with All Saints' Day in a single service. A New Orleans-style brass band is invited to process into the church and accompanies the choir during this service.

Vandalism

On September 21, 2009, the sanctuary of All Saints flooded due to vandals who broke a stained glass window and fed a running hose through the opening. Workers discovered the hose on Saturday morning and believed it was running for several hours. Because the sanctuary floor was wooden planks, water seeped through causing damage in the basement, but did not cause compromise the structureal integrity of the building, nor did it interfere regularly-scheduled worship services. One church official suspected that the damage was due a reaction to an article about All Saints' food pantry services, noting that individuals attending the All Saints food pantry events and the residents of Ravenswood were from economically disparate backgrounds. The article referred to the church as a place that keeps "fellow citizens from drowning." Others, however, believe that the vandalism was a basic prank.

References in literature

Poet Carl Sandburg was believed to be one of early congregants of All Saints. One of his poems, entitled Onion Days, describes a produce seller named Jasper in the following manner:

Jasper belongs to an Episcopal church in Ravenswood and on certain Sundays

He enjoys chanting the Nicene Creed with his daughters on each side of him joining their voices with his.

Sandberg is thought to be referring to All Saints in this particular passage, as it was the only Episcopal church in Ravenswood.

External links

• Official website