Blog

By Dave Utech, Class of  2003, and Joanne Linzer, Class of 2000

Have you ever noticed how the Kennedy Expressway curves around St. Stanislaus Kostka church, just south of North Avenue? Dating from 1881, it is a mix of Romanesque and Renaissance styles, evoking the glory days of 17th century Poland. Designed by Patrick Keely of New York, St. Stan’s is considered the “mother church” of more than 20 Chicago churches begun by Polish immigrants. It was so dear to the hearts of Chicago’s Polish-Americans that their political representatives prevailed on the highway engineers to change the original route of the expressway to curve around the church.

The exterior of the building is Chicago common brick, laid in intricate patterns by 19th century craftsmen. One tower was lost to lightning decades ago, and the remaining cupola was replaced by a simplified version in 2002. Inside are recently restored murals by the Polish artist Tadeusz Zukotyniski and beautiful stained-glass windows by the Bavarian artist F.X. Zettler.

Patrick Keely’s work can be seen in other Chicago churches: Holy Name Cathedral, Nativity of Our Lord, and St. James (on Wabash, recently demolished). He learned his profession working with his carpenter and draftsman father in Ireland. Keely’s favorite design style was Gothic, and he designed more than 600 churches and cathedrals in New York and New England.

St. Stanislaus Kostka was featured on the September 2019 Churches by Bus tour. This year, because of the pandemic, Churches by Bus is virtual and features Old St. Patrick’s, St. James Episcopal Cathedral, and the St. James Chapel at Quigley Center. To sign up for the August 29,  1:00 pm  presentation, CLICK HERE. Churches by Bus celebrates its 25th year in 2020!