What if I told you that Saint Henry Catholic Church is more than just a beautiful building? It is a living testament to Chicago’s immigrant history. Saint Henry Catholic Church began in 1851. Henry Fortmann built a small frame house. This offered mass to immigrants from Luxembourg and Germany. Before that, mass was held in a log house built by Peter Schmitt. It stood on the Ridge Trail. This is now Ridge Avenue.
The Redemptorist Fathers of St. Michael’s Church served the community. Three acres became a cemetery for parish members. The first church was small. It was replaced in 1872 with a larger building. The cost was $10,000. That is equivalent to about $260,000 today.
Saint Henry Catholic Church was dedicated on May 9, 1852. An addition was built in 1891 under Rev. Father Joseph Ruetershoff. The current stately church was built in 1905. Henry J. Schlacks designed it. Many consider him Chicago’s finest church architect. The neo-Gothic building features brick. It has limestone and bronze ornamentation.
Saint Henry’s was the first church north of Irving Park. This includes those in Evanston. The congregation was mainly Luxembourgers, Irish, and Germans. Luxembourgers were predominant. It became a hub for new immigrants from Luxembourg. Even today, many people of Luxembourg origin know about Saint Henry’s on the Ridge.
Angel Guardian Orphanage was established in 1865. A school was built in 1882. In 1926, George Cardinal Mundelein gave Saint Henry’s Church to the orphanage. A new church was built at 6325 N. Hoyne Avenue.
The patron saint is Holy Roman Emperor Henry II. He was crowned King of the Germans in 1002. In the 1970s, the church became a Croatian parish. This reflected population changes. Saint Henry Catholic Cemetery is the city’s only surviving churchyard.
Saint Henry Catholic Church has witnessed countless baptisms. It has seen marriages and funerals. First communions were held here. Confirmations marked spiritual milestones. The church records tell stories of faith and community. They are available on microfilm at the Family History Library. Some images are online.
Saint Henry Catholic Church appeared in historical tours. It was part of the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Tour. Saint Henry’s Cemetery Tour also featured it. These tours celebrated the church’s rich history.
Saint Henry Catholic Church stands as a reminder. It honors those who built Chicago. It is a monument to faith, community, and architectural beauty. It connects generations to their heritage.