Hidden within Chicago’s bustling streets lies the Shrine of the Sacred Heart Jesuit Millennium Center. It stands as a testament to faith, resilience, and the enduring power of community. The Shrine of the Sacred Heart has a rich history, deeply intertwined with the lives of French-Canadians who settled along the old Blue Island Ridge. These families, many of whom worked at the Purington Brickyard, formed the parish in the late 19th century.
Their first church, built in Alsip, Illinois on land donated by Mr. and Mrs. William Harrison, tragically succumbed to fire in the early 1900s. Undeterred, the parishioners rebuilt their beloved church at its current location on 117th and Church Street in Chicago. Completed in 1904, the original structure, built on stilts due to the swampy terrain, reflected a Greek revival style with white clapboards. In the 1920s, using bricks from the nearby Purington Brickyard, the church acquired its charming facade that we see today. Atop the Shrine of the Sacred Heart, a statue of Jesus Christ, arms outstretched, continues to welcome worshippers, a symbol of unwavering faith.
The Shrine of the Sacred Heart holds a special place in the hearts of its community. Known for its healing legacy, the church’s rafters once bore plaques inscribed with the names of those cured of ailments. Crutches, canes, and eyeglasses, left behind by the healed, served as testaments to the power of faith. Stories abound of Father DeMers, who offered holy water, medicine, and blessings to the sick. This tradition of healing continues today, with prayers offered for loved ones at every Mass.
Over the years, the Shrine of the Sacred Heart welcomed Irish and German families into its fold. For decades, the church thrived. Then, in 1979, Cardinal John Cody announced its closure, citing costly repairs and a shortage of priests. Over a thousand families who called Sacred Heart home were devastated. A determined “Save Our Shrine” committee formed, appealing to Rome, Cardinal Cody, and anyone who would listen.
Their persistence paid off. In 1982, Cardinal Joseph Bernadin, Cardinal Cody’s successor, reviewed the case and reversed the decision. The Shrine of the Sacred Heart was reopened, a victory for the community and a testament to their unwavering faith. Today, the Shrine of the Sacred Heart remains a vibrant and welcoming community, its small size belying the immense heart within. It stands as a beacon of hope and a symbol of the power of collective action.