Saint Kilian Roman Catholic Church

Did you ever hear about the South Side Irish? St. Kilian Roman Catholic Church in Chicago is mentioned in a song about them. It’s a key part of Auburn Gresham’s history. In the 1930s, Auburn Gresham was a bustling neighborhood with over 57,000 residents. Many were Irish immigrants, drawn to the area’s brick bungalows and easy access to jobs via the streetcar. St. Kilian’s, along with other parishes like St. Sabina and Little Flower, served this growing Catholic community. In 1905, Father John J. Greene established St. Kilian’s. The first church, built at 87th and Aberdeen, held its first mass with just 23 families. As the parish grew, a school was added in 1917, staffed by Dominican Sisters. By the mid-1930s, the parish had 3,600 members. A new church was needed. The current St. Kilian Roman Catholic Church was completed in 1937. Designed by McCarthy, Smith, and Eppig, it’s been described as “simplified Renaissance” style. However, it has Art Deco and Celtic influences, perhaps a “Celtic Deco” style. The exterior is dark brick with limestone details. A large Palladian stained glass window dominates the facade. Inside, gold leaf stenciling contrasts with dark wood. Celtic motifs are woven into the design, from the pews to the ceiling. Stained glass windows depict Irish saints and the American flag. The main altar is a Venetian-style wooden piece with the inscription “Ecce Agnus Dei” – “Behold the Lamb of God”. The parish flourished through the 1950s. By 1955, it had over 12,000 members. The 1960s brought racial integration to the neighborhood, supported by St. Kilian’s and community groups. Despite demographic shifts, St. Kilian Roman Catholic Church remained a community anchor. The school closed in 1993. The original church building was demolished in the 1970s, and the school followed in the 2000s. A charter high school now stands on the former school site. St. Kilian’s continues to serve its community. The church donated pews to a new church in Mexico. St. Kilian, the parish’s patron saint, was a missionary himself. This act reflects his spirit.