Did you know that the Church of the Holy Ghost once stood proudly at Adams and Kildare Streets? This wasn’t just any church. It served the German Catholic community in Garfield Park. It was built in 1898 by architect Henry Schlacks. The Church of the Holy Ghost wasn’t just a place of worship. It housed a school a hall and even living quarters. This impressive 50 by 75-foot building served the growing parish until a larger church could be constructed. By 1920 the Church of the Holy Ghost boasted 300 families and 200 children in its school. Sunday Mass drew approximately 2500 attendees. It was a vibrant hub of the community.
The Church of the Holy Ghost saw a dramatic event in 1929. The then-pastor Reverend Charles A Erkenswick was shot. The shooter was the father of two boys jailed for robbing the church’s poor box. Father Erkenswick refused to intervene. He survived the shooting. He remained pastor of the Church of the Holy Ghost until his death in 1936.
After Father Erkenswick’s death the Church of the Holy Ghost merged with St Mel parish. The combined building became St Mel-Holy Ghost Chapel. A new school was built on the former grounds. This new school cost $200000. The original Church of the Holy Ghost building was sadly torn down. It no longer exists. John Mallin a noted decorator was hired to beautify the interior. Sadly no photos of his work survive. However there is a photograph of the Church of the Holy Ghost’s exterior from 1903. This shows the building in its original glory. The Church of the Holy Ghost may be gone but its legacy and the stories of its people remain. The Church of the Holy Ghost stands as a reminder of a vibrant community and a significant chapter in Chicago’s history.