“Did anyone bring their roller skates?” Laughter rippled through the group as you stood before Saint Anne Church. You smiled. “I wouldn’t blame you for thinking we’re at a roller rink! This church has a fun history.” Saint Anne Church has stood as a beacon of faith in Chicago since 1889. Its story is intertwined with the growth of the surrounding community. “But did you know,” you lowered your voice conspiratorially, “that this church houses the first shrine dedicated to Saint Anne in all of Chicago?” Established in 1900, the Shrine of Saint Anne attracted devotees from far and wide. A highlight for many was the annual novena held every July from the 18th to the 26th. This nine-day event culminated in not one, but three, outdoor candlelight processions honoring the saint. “Those processions used to wind through the streets, a river of flickering lights,” you explained. The tradition continues even now, though on a slightly smaller scale than in its heyday in the 1960s and 70s. “So next time you’re in the neighborhood,” you concluded, “and the doors of Saint Anne are open, step inside. You’ll be greeted not just by the quiet reverence of a place of worship, but also by echoes of joyous celebrations, skating parties, and the unwavering faith of generations past.”
Congregation Or Torah
Rabbi Zvi Engel’s leadership guides Congregation Or Torah. This impressive Modern Orthodox Synagogue stands proudly in Skokie Illinois. It’s one