Did Father Damen ever imagine his name gracing this bustling North Damen Avenue? Originally known as Robey Street, North Damen Avenue stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Father Arnold Damen. The street stretches from Rogers Park in the north to Beverly in the south. North Damen Avenue replaced the name of politician James Robey in 1927. It’s a fitting tribute, considering Robey Street’s path. It crosses the Chicago River near where Father Jacques Marquette, another influential Jesuit missionary, landed and wintered in 1674-1675. Father Damen, founder of Holy Family Church, St. Ignatius College Prep, and Loyola University, left an indelible mark on Chicago. His story intertwines with the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. While in New York City, he prayed for his parish’s safety. Miraculously, the wind shifted the flames away from the church. Seven lights, then newly installed electric bulbs, have burned ever since before the image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Holy Family Church. North Damen Avenue pulses with the energy of a city shaped by visionaries like Father Damen. This avenue tells a story of faith, resilience, and the enduring power of a name.
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