Parish History
Assumption Catholic Church was founded in 1881 in an area north of the Chicago River that had been settled principally by Italian immigrants. Assumption was the first church in Chicago specifically commissioned to minister to Italian speaking Catholics, and as such was authorized to enroll as parish members any Italians living within the Archdiocese of Chicago. Care of the new parish was entrusted to the Order of Friar Servants of Mary, a religious Order founded in Italy in the thirteenth century.
The parish grew and prospered. The present church structure was completed in 1886, and soon there was need for a parish school. Since there was no more property available in the immediate vicinity, the school was built four blocks north on Erie Street. The school opened in 1899 and was staffed by the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, founded by Mother Francis Cabrini, the first American citizen to be canonized a saint. Mother Cabrini worked among the Italian immigrants in Chicago during the early years of the twentieth century and worshipped at Assumption Church.
After World War I the area around Assumption gradually changed from residential to commercial and industrial. Many Catholic families moved out of the neighborhood; and Assumption School, which at one time enrolled over 900 students, succumbed to the changing demographics and closed in 1945. The school building at 319 West Erie passed through a number of owners and is now a condominium residence. The parish survived for many decades by providing sacramental ministry during the week to the many Catholics working in the factories and office buildings that surrounded Assumption and by welcoming back the Italian families who returned to the old neighborhood for Sunday Mass. During the 1990's River North once more became a residential neighborhood. Today Assumption Church serves a diverse community of neighborhood residents, downtown workers, historic parishioners, visitors to our city, and people from all over the Chicago area who are attracted to its soaring beauty, inspiring liturgies, commitment to service, and friendly people.
Photos: Window Restoration
Daprato Rigali Studios cleaned the external surfaces of the stained glass windows, stripped all existing paint from the exterior frames, restored damaged and rotted sills and frames, primed and painted the frames, re-cemented exterior stained glass, and installed ¼" protective glass covering with proper ventilation.
1: Current (before): The Assumption Church Windows are undergoing work to restore them to their former glory. [Photo Credit: Fr. David O. Brown]
2: Equipment: Daprato Rigali Studios setup their equipment. [Photo Credit: Fr. David O. Brown]
3: Preparation: Scaffolding is setup in preparation to repair the windows. [Photo Credit: Fr. David O. Brown]
4: Restoration (after): Craftsman from Daprato Rigali Studios have begun the process of cleaning the windows, stripping & repairing, then priming & painting frames, and re-cementing the stained glass. [Photo Credit: Fr. David O. Brown]
Photos: East Windows
Assumption Church's east-facing stained glass windows
1: Guardian Angel [top-half of window] [Photo Credit: Anne Remien]
2: Amiable Virgin with Jesus and John [bottom-half of window] [Photo Credit: Anne Remien]
3: St. Peregrine - also a shrine and painting in the church [Photo Credit: Anne Remien]
4: Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth [top-half of window] [Photo Credit: Anne Remien]
5: Annunciation - original in Florence, Italy [bottom-half of window] [Photo Credit: Anne Remien]
6: Mary and the Apostles [bottom-half of window] [Photo Credit: Anne Remien]
7: Ascension of Jesus into Heaven [top-half of window] [Photo Credit: Anne Remien]
8: Chicago Archbishops and Bishops [bottom-half of window] [Photo Credit: Anne Remien]
9: John XXIII Calls Vatican II [top-half of window] [Photo Credit: Anne Remien]
10: St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and the Sacred Heart - origin of First Friday devotion [Photo Credit: Anne Remien]
11: Seven Holy Founders of the Order Servants of Mary - OSM [Photo Credit: Anne Remien]
Photos: West Windows
Assumption Church's west-facing stained glass windows
1: St. Philip Benizi, Servite Saint - organized the vision of the founders [Photo Credit: Anne Remien]
2: Presentation of Child Jesus in the Temple [top-half of window] [Photo Credit: Anne Remien]
3: Lost Child Jesus Found in the Temple [bottom-half of window] [Photo Credit: Anne Remien]
4: Crucifixion with Mary, John and women [Photo Credit: Anne Remien]
5: The Holy Family - Ora et Labora (Pray and Work) [Photo Credit: Anne Remien]
6: St. Frances Xavier Cabrini landing at New York City - personally active in the parish [Photo Credit: Anne Remien]
7: Window dedicated to the Catholic Priesthood [Photo Credit: Anne Remien]
8: Christ Knocking at the Door of the Human Heart - there is no knob because it is up to us to open our hearts to Him [top-half of window] [Photo Credit: Anne Remien]
9: The Flight into Egypt [bottom-half of window] [Photo Credit: Anne Remien]
Photos: North Windows
Assumption Church's north-facing stained glass windows
1: Christ - Ecce Homo (Behold the Man) - [installed in honor of Assumption's Golden Jubilee] [Photo Credit: Anne Remien]
2: Our Lady of Sorrows [brought from Italy for Assumption's Golden Jubilee] [Photo Credit: Anne Remien]
3: Jesus as an infant in swaddling clothes [Photo Credit: Anne Remien]