St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Chicago, IL
Also known as The Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy, is both a spiritual and historical treasure where Jesus’ Eucharistic Presence is enthroned in the Iconic Monstrance of Our Lady of the Sign-Ark of Mercy. This is a holy sanctuary where anyone can go to encounter the living God. In the heart of Chicago along the Kennedy Expressway this place of refuge is in the process of repair and restoration and needs your help.
History: “The parish of St. Stanislaus Kostka opened in 1867…and by 1897, St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish was the largest parish in the United States with 8,000 families, totaling 40,000 people. There were twelve Masses each Sunday: six Masses in the upper church and another six Masses in the lower church…
In the early 1950’s, the church was slated to be razed to make room for the Kennedy Expressway, but due to protests by the Polish community and the work of legislators like U.S. Representative Daniel Rostenkowski, the path of the expressway was altered and the church was saved.
Today, the parish continues to serve the spiritual needs of parishioners who come from a wide geographic area and include many different ethnic groups. The large number of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans has brought new vitality to the parish. Masses are said in English, Spanish and Polish. The parish continues to operate an elementary school, as well as, a strong religious education program.
In 2007, Cardinal Francis George designated St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish as the Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy in Chicago and, in 2008, he blessed the iconic Monstrance, Our Lady of the Sign-Ark of Mercy, which draws many people to 24-hour Eucharistic Adoration at this historic church.”(Copied from the parish website).
In September 2011 it became necessary for the parish to undergo a multi-million dollar reconstruction project as the roof and vaulted ceiling were in the various stages of inevitable collapse. Without the repairs the church would have to close forever. In addition, as one of the oldest buildings in Chicago, much of the original artwork and architecture needs preservation for future generations.
Please consider helping out by praying and/or donating whatever you can. Donations can be made at the parish’s website: