Saint Andrews Church

Rumors of gambling priests and overflowing bingo halls? That’s one intriguing piece of Saint Andrews Church’s history. Saint Andrews Church stands as a testament to the ever-evolving spirit of its community, from its humble beginnings in a saloon to its grand Romanesque structure. Saint Andrews Church was established in 1894, a mere five years after the surrounding farmland became part of Chicago. Archbishop Feehan chose the name to honor the parish’s first pastor, Father Andrew Croke, an Irish immigrant. The original church, a simple wooden structure at Paulina and Addison, was completed in 1896. The parish grew rapidly. A school opened its doors in 1902. By 1912, the burgeoning congregation required a larger space. The entire wooden church and rectory were rolled across the street to make way for the cornerstone of a new, brick Romanesque edifice. The new school building, erected in 1926, still serves the community today. The Great Depression era saw further expansion. The church was lengthened by sixty feet and a new high altar installed, accommodating the impressive 10,000 parishioners. In 1935, Bishop Sheil, the founder of the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), became pastor. A new gymnasium was built in 1951 to house CYO activities. It boasted three basketball courts, a boxing ring, a stage, a pipe organ, and even served as a roller rink and social center, fitting up to 5,000 people. A darker chapter unfolded in 1970 when Chicago police raided a gambling operation at Saint Andrews, dispersing 600 people from a “bingo-like” game. The assistant pastor and a finance committee member were arrested. The priest claimed the proceeds offset the school’s $88,000 budget deficit, a desperate attempt to retain teaching staff. Today, the church stands as a blend of architectural grandeur and community history, a silent witness to both spiritual devotion and the trials of its people.