Saint Barbara Church

Did you ever hear of a church built out of family ties and a booming immigrant population? This is the story of Saint Barbara Church in Chicago. Saint Barbara Church stands as a testament to the Polish immigrants who sought solace and community in a new land. Saint Barbara Church was founded in 1909 in the Bridgeport neighborhood. The church aimed to accommodate the growing Polish Catholic community that had outgrown the nearby St. Mary of Perpetual Help. Interestingly, the founding of Saint Barbara Church was a family affair. Reverend Anthony Nawrocki, brother of St. Mary’s pastor Stanislaus Nawrocki, became Saint Barbara’s first pastor. The parish initially held services in the basement of their newly built school while the church was under construction. The magnificent structure we see today was completed in 1914. Saint Barbara Church is a stunning example of the Polish Cathedral style. It was designed by Worthmann and Steinbach, architects known for their work on several grand Polish churches in Chicago. The church features a unique octagonal design, a rarity in the archdiocese. Inside, 25 vibrant stained glass windows illuminate the space, depicting scenes from the Gospel and the lives of saints. In 1924, a school addition was built, which included an auditorium, a bowling alley, a billiard room, a kitchen and new classrooms. These classrooms housed a two-year commercial high school. This high school later transitioned into a four-year all-girls school in 1947. Sadly, the high school closed in 2001 due to low enrollment. However, the space was repurposed to enhance the offerings of St. Barbara Elementary School. In the 1990s, the church underwent significant restoration, including the cleaning and repair of the stained glass windows. Four additional windows, originally from Niles College Seminary, were installed in the church towers in 1999. In 2019, Saint Barbara Parish merged with St. Therese Chinese Catholic Parish. They formed the St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish. Despite the merger, Saint Barbara Church retains its name and continues to serve as a beacon of faith and community in Bridgeport. Saint Barbara Church’s history reveals a vibrant tapestry of faith, community, and architectural splendor. It stands as a symbol of the enduring spirit of the Polish immigrants who built it.