“We count about 100 Catholics in this town.” These words sparked a legacy. They were part of a petition to Bishop Rosati of St. Louis. The Catholics of Chicago needed a pastor. This plea led to the founding of Old St. Mary’s Church.
Old St. Mary’s Church is the first Catholic parish in Chicago. It began in 1833 as Saint Mary of the Assumption. The original church was built on the south side of Lake Street. It stood west of State Street. In 1836, the building was moved. Its new location was the northwest corner of Michigan at Madison. The church was enlarged and an open belfry was added.
The Diocese of Chicago was established in 1843. St. Mary’s Cathedral was built at Madison and Wabash. The original wooden church was cut in half. It was moved to the cathedral grounds. Chicago’s first Catholic grammar school opened there in 1846.
The Great Fire of 1871 destroyed the cathedral. Plans were made for a new cathedral parish. It was named Holy Name and located north of the Chicago River. The Plymouth Congregational Church survived the fire. It was purchased and became Old St. Mary’s. This was at 9th and Wabash.
The Paulist Fathers took charge of the parish on October 12, 1903. Fr. William Finn founded the Paulist Choristers in 1904. It was a sixty-five voice choir of men and boys. Fr. Eugene O’Malley directed the choir from 1928 until 1967.
Old St. Mary’s at 9th and Wabash fell into disrepair. It was demolished in 1971. The Old St. Mary’s Chapel at Van Buren and Wabash became the new site. The parish dedicated a new church at 1500 S. Michigan Ave. on July 21, 2002.
Many young families moved into the neighborhood. They wanted a faith-based education for their children. Rooms from a former charter school were on the new church site. Parents met in 2003. They wanted an educational alternative in the South Loop. Old St. Mary’s Catholic School opened in September 2004. Barbara Spaniol-Smith was the first principal and teacher. A school board was formed. The school’s reputation grew.
In 2011, a new school building opened. It had over 260 students. Enrollment has increased each year since. Today, Old St. Mary’s Church stands as a testament to faith. It is a beacon in the heart of Chicago. Its history echoes through the city.