What if I told you that this chapel had a past? This is the Chapel of St. Francis Xavier. It stands as a testament to faith. It also whispers tales of change and controversy in Chicago.
Once a vibrant parish, St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church served the Logan Square community. It was established in 1888 as a mission. It branched out from St. Aloysius. The church found its home on Warsaw Avenue. This street is now known as Nelson Street.
Fast forward to June 1991. St. Francis Xavier’s parochial school closed. The parish then merged with St. Veronica. The newly combined entity took on a new name. It was called Resurrection Parish. St. Francis Xavier became the sole parish church.
Following the merger, Cardinal Archbishop Joseph Bernardin appointed Daniel Montalbano as pastor. Controversy soon followed. A “gay pride” flag appeared over the crucifix. It hung on the high altar of St. Francis Xavier. Montalbano had previously pastored a “gay-friendly” parish. It was St. Sebastian in the Boystown neighborhood.
In the late 1990s, tragedy struck. A deacon found Montalbano deceased. The location was in the rectory. It was connected to a sex machine. Reports surfaced. Montalbano had an extensive collection of homosexual pornography.
In 2018, the infamous flag resurfaced. Parishioners burned the hate symbol in the church parking lot. Father Paul Kalchik, the pastor at the time, was present. The burning ignited local media coverage. Politicians voiced outrage. Parish staff received telephone death threats. Archbishop Blase Cupich dispatched Mark Bartosic. Bartosic was an auxiliary bishop. He committed Kalchick to a mental hospital. Kalchick refused. He fled into exile.
More change was on the horizon. July 1, 2021, marked another turning point. Resurrection Parish was extinguished. It united with Our Lady of Mercy parish. The Archdiocese of Chicago cited several factors for this decision. The metrics included seating capacity, mass attendance, and financial status. The church became known as the Chapel of St. Francis Xavier.
Today, the Chapel of St. Francis Xavier maintains an active liturgical schedule. Daily masses are held. Two masses occur on Sundays. These masses are in English and Spanish.
St. Francis Xavier’s story reflects the evolving landscape of faith. It also mirrors community dynamics. The controversies remind us of the challenges and complexities. They faced the Catholic Church. Today, the chapel stands. It provides a place for worship and reflection. It also remembers the past. It embraces the present. It looks toward the future.