Drawn together by faith and community, Holy Angels Catholic Church stands as a beacon of hope in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. Founded in 1887 as Holy Angels Catholic School, it has been serving thousands of students and families. This Catholic elementary school enriches young lives. It offers an appreciation for the wealth and gifts of Jesus Christ.
Holy Angels challenges students to excel in school. They value community and family. The school operates under Christian principles. They proclaim the Gospel message of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Holy Angels strives to develop young men and women of faith. They should be critical thinkers and academic scholars. Holy Angels students will become future leaders. Its mission is to provide an affordable and safe learning environment. Every student is challenged through a rigorous curriculum. High expectations and strong character development are promoted. Graduates are prepared intellectually, socially, and emotionally. They succeed in high school, college, and beyond. They also become productive citizens.
In the late 19th century, Fr. Augustus Tolton played a pivotal role in Chicago’s Black Catholic community. Tolton was the first Black priest in the United States. He celebrated mass for a small group of Black Catholics. This took place in the basement of Old St. Mary’s. As their numbers grew, they desired a church of their own. Fr. Daniel Riordan secured funding for St. Monica. This became the first Black parish in Chicago.
The South Side transformed with the Great Migration. Hundreds of thousands of Black families escaped Jim Crow laws. They sought prosperity in the industrial North. By the 1910s, there were 400 Black Catholic families.
Initially, the South Side was home to well-to-do Irish Americans. Their prosperity was mirrored in magnificent churches. St. Elizabeth and Holy Angels were built in 1892 and 1896. Black migration led to dwindling attendance. Maintaining these structures became difficult.
Cardinal Mundelein designated St. Monica as the ethnic parish for Black Catholics. He forbade white Catholics from attending. This caused protest. Black parishioners felt segregated.
In 1969, Fr. George Clements became pastor of Holy Angels. He brought national renown. Clements promoted social and racial justice. Holy Angels became a hub for activism.
Holy Angels’ school enrolled its first Black student in the 1940s. By 1957, there were four. The racial makeup of Washington Park shifted. Holy Angels remained staffed by diocesan priests.
The statue of Our Lady of Africa stands at the Holy Angels site. It welcomes those who enter. The new parish is named Our Lady of Africa. It is administered by the Society of the Divine Word.
Since 1990, a vibrant black parish has worshiped at Holy Angels Catholic Church. They admire the marvelous mural by Engelbert Mveng. The church burned to the ground in 1986. Roy Lichtenstein designed the stained-glass windows. Mveng created the central mural.
Holy Angels Catholic Church stands as a testament to faith, resilience, and community. It continues to serve as a spiritual home for many. Its rich history reflects the evolving demographics and social justice movements of Chicago.