Picture this. A humble frame church stands on the prairie. It’s 1874. This is the original Saint Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church. It wasn’t always grand. It started small. A mission church founded by St Benedict’s Church of Blue Island. It served a vast area. From 87th Street to 119th Street. West from State Street to Worth and Oak Lawn townships.
Saint Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church wasn’t just a building. It was a haven. A place of refuge. For German and Irish immigrants. Many hailed from Prussia Westphalia Luxembourg and Bavaria. They sought community. They sought faith. They found it here.
The church’s history is woven with the area’s development. Washington Heights was incorporated. Farms and prairie gave way to homes. The Blue Island Land and Building Company sold lots. Development transformed the landscape. So did the church’s own evolution.
Father Bruno Riess O S B was the first pastor. He served from 1874 to 1876. Father Uutto Huber O S B followed. His story is remarkable. He journeyed from Bavaria to America. He even served in the Mexican-American War before becoming a priest. His experiences reflect the connections between European and American Catholics. They also highlight the challenges faced by immigrants.
In 1890 Washington Heights became part of Chicago. The church moved. It literally rolled across the prairies. The Singler family donated the current site. The old church building became a school and later classrooms. Finally it was torn down in 1928.
The current church building is a testament to growth. Built in 1928 it’s Gothic style. It seats 1004 people. Its construction cost $250000. Cardinal Mundelein dedicated it. It is a magnificent structure. A beacon of faith in the heart of Chicago.
The Saint Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church is more than bricks and mortar. It’s a living testament to faith resilience and community. Its story unfolds over 140 years. It’s a story of immigration growth and adaptation. It is a story that continues to this day. It’s a story worth exploring. A story worth remembering.