A Devastating Fire at Shrine Church in Chicago

Yesterday a 3-alarm fire nearly destroyed the Shrine of Christ the King, a center for the traditional Mass on the south-side of Chicago, entrusted to the Institute of Christ the King. Ironically this was the second fire to gut this magnificent church. Built in the 1920’s by German immigrants, the church suffered its first fire in the 1970s. Afterwards it sat for many years in a dilapidated state, virtually unusable, while the neighborhood fell on hard times. In 2003 Cardinal George entrusted the church to the Institute. With vision, courage, and hard work, the Institute has been restoring the church, a project that has costed millions of dollars. The shrine has attracted a vibrant community of church-goers and has revitalized the neighborhood through community service. Fund-raising is already underway to restore the church. See the Institute’s website

Pictures (above and below) of the shrine from a 2008 entry on our website (see link)

The shrine as it looks today.

The treasured 18th century Spanish statue of the Infant King, which stood over the altar, was rescued, as was the tabernacle. Later the firefighters located the missing arm (see below)

A sister who runs a shelter next door said, “I know the spirit of the priests there and this will not stop them. I’m sure they will rebuild.”   Anyone who wishes to help can go to the Institute’s website or a special fund-raising page.