Isn’t Queen of All Saints Basilica magnificent? It stands as a testament to faith and architectural grandeur. This historic church is located in Chicago’s Sauganash neighborhood. It is one of three minor basilicas in the city.
In 1929, the Calvert Club sought to establish a Catholic church in Sauganash. They petitioned Cardinal George Mundelein. He granted their request and appointed Father Francis A. Ryan as pastor. The new parish was dedicated to Queen of All Saints. The first church was a relocated wood-frame structure. It had previously served as St Giles Church in Oak Park. It was dedicated in June 1929 as Queen of All Saints Church.
After World War II residential developments increased. Irish and German immigrants and their descendants populated the area. Queen of All Saints School was founded in 1932. The school like the church primarily enrolled students of Irish and Germanic descent. Pope John XXIII elevated the church to a basilica on March 26 1962.
Meyer and Cook designed the Neo-Gothic style church. Construction was completed in 1960. The large window above the choir loft is striking. It features eight shrines of the Virgin Mary. These include Our Lady of Czestochowa and Our Lady of Knock. Others are Our Lady of Einsiedeln and Our Lady of the Snows. There is also Our Lady of La Salette and Our Lady of Guadalupe. Rounding it off are Our Lady of Lourdes and Our Lady of Fatima.
This display highlights the universality of the Catholic Church. These shrines represent various countries and cultures. The Cult of the Virgin Mary unites different ethnic groups. These groups lived in the Sauganash area of Forest Glen.
The original organ from the 1930s was replaced in 2006. This was due to age and vandalism in the 1970s. The new instrument is a three-manual 60-rank opus. Berghaus Pipe Organ Builders of Bellwood Illinois created it.
Queen of All Saints Basilica has had several pastors. Father Francis “Packy” Ryan served from 1929 to 1934. Monsignor Francis J Dolan followed from 1934 to 1969. Father Patrick C Hunter was pastor from 1969 to 1978. Father Robert Clark led from 1978 to 1991. Father Charles Cronin served from 1991 to 1996. Monsignor Wayne F Prist was pastor from 1996 to 2010. Monsignor John E Pollard served from 2010 to 2018. Father Simon Braganza is the current pastor since 2018.
Queen of All Saints Basilica appears in several architecture books. These include “Chicago Churches: A Photographic Essay” by Elizabeth Johnson. Also “Heavenly City: The Architectural Tradition of Catholic Chicago” by Denis R McNamara. “Chicago Churches and Synagogues: An Architectural Pilgrimage” by George A Lane is another. “The Archdiocese of Chicago: A Journey of Faith” by Edward R Kantowicz also features the basilica.
Queen of All Saints Basilica stands as a symbol of faith community and architectural beauty. Its history and design reflect the rich cultural heritage of Chicago. It welcomes all to experience its spiritual and aesthetic splendor.