Wicker Park Lutheran Church

“They have served the devil long enough; it is time they served the Lord.” This statement, uttered over a century ago, perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Wicker Park Lutheran Church. Right before you, Wicker Park Lutheran Church stands as a testament to resilience and transformation, its history woven into the very fabric of Chicago. Founded in 1879 by German and Scandinavian businessmen, Wicker Park Lutheran Church initially served a community of rural immigrants. Picture a small, unfinished Gothic structure, the first iteration of what would become this grand edifice. By 1906, the congregation, bursting at the seams, replaced the old building with this striking Romanesque Revival masterpiece. Designed by A.C. Hansen, known for his warehouse designs, the building boasts a unique charm with its vaulted ceilings, rounded arches, and two majestic towers inspired by the Abbey of Sainte-Trinitè in France. Notice the glittering flecks in the stone exterior? That’s mica, a material salvaged from a demolished house of ill repute. When questioned about its appropriateness for a church, the pastor at the time, Rev. Austin Crile, responded with the witty remark mentioned earlier. Step inside, and you’ll be greeted by an interior as captivating as its history. Above the altar hangs an intricately carved portrayal of The Last Supper by Alois Lang, a master woodcarver from Oberammergau, Germany. The white marble baptismal font, a replica of Bertel Thorvaldsen’s “The Kneeling Angel,” graces the left transept, while the right houses the original 1906 M.P. Möller organ, a magnificent instrument powered entirely by compressed air. The stained glass windows, each telling a biblical story, bathe the interior in a kaleidoscope of colors. Wicker Park Lutheran Church has weathered many storms throughout the decades – periods of social upheaval, economic hardship, even burglaries and near-condemnation. However, it has always emerged stronger, a beacon of hope and inclusivity in the heart of Chicago. Today, Wicker Park Lutheran Church stands as a testament to enduring faith and community spirit, its doors open to all.