Haven’t you wondered about the silent jewel sitting on a hill in Chicago’s Morgan Park? This is the Church of the Mediator. It stands as a beautiful, still presence. The church sits atop the Beverly ridge, one of Chicago’s highest points.
Once, the Church of the Mediator was the Episcopal Church of the Mediator. Today, only two posts hint at its former name. A quote above the doors declares “God so loved the world.” Dates etched nearby read 1889 and 1929. Padlocks secure the doors, and stained glass obscures the interior.
It wasn’t always this way at the Church of the Mediator. It was the first Episcopal church in Chicago’s southwest. It became a vital hub. Generations were baptized, worshiped, and married here. They attended Bible classes and Christian events. Some were even buried here.
What happened to the Church of the Mediator? Why is this place now vacant? An article in the Chicago Tribune from December 31, 2007, marked its end. The church closed due to dwindling membership, an aging congregation and financial issues. Weekly attendance fell to around 30 people.
The Church of the Mediator’s closure reduced the Episcopal congregations in the Chicago diocese to 128. Parish leader Mary Reich noted the struggle to build a young congregation. Families moved away, and some members passed away. The members debated closing as early as 1980.
Many former members gathered for the final service at the Church of the Mediator. They recalled earlier, vibrant days. Reverend Donald Frye urged them to “Sing as you’ve never sung before. Pray as you’ve never prayed before. Take the good from this place and spread it around.”
Carlmac Falk, a long-time member, lamented their collective failure. He hoped that something good would emerge from the closure. Julie O’Shea worried about the church’s future. Her daughter was the newest member to join the closing church through baptism.
Diocese leaders secularized the Church of the Mediator. Its future remains undetermined. Reverend Michael Stephenson acknowledged the sadness of the closure. Heather Carmody, who grew up in the church, returned for the final service. Her grandparents and parents were married here.
Her grandfather, Howard Heckmann, attended a Church of the Mediator in Michigan. It was founded by former members of the Morgan Park parish. He took furniture and kitchen appliances to the Michigan church. Other items went to area parishes or long-time members. The rest went to the diocese.
The Church of the Mediator began in 1878. The first service was held in a hayloft. In 1930, the congregation built a new church with parish offices and a social hall. It marked a new chapter.
Now, the Church of the Mediator stands silent. Some attribute its decline to theological shifts within the Episcopal Church. The core beliefs were abandoned by the denomination. Some pray for a revival of the Spirit of Truth within its walls. Then, songs of praise and joy will fill the space once more.