An old black-and-white photo of St. Mary of the Lake Church on Sheridan Road in Chicago, featuring a large wooden building with a cross on top, stairs leading up to the entrance, and a man and woman standing outside.

OUR HISTORY

Founded in 1901

For​ over a century, St. Mary of the Lake parish has been a welcoming home for Chicagoans of all ethnicities.  From our founding by Western European parishioners we now have Latin American, African and Asian members worshiping at every service and participating in all levels of our parish.  Our neighborhood has embraced homegrown transplants from Appalachia, African Americans from the deep south, Native Americans and urban professionals from across the country.

Parish Historical Timeline

  • 1901

    The Parish on St. Mary of the Lake was established, the first Mass being celebrated on October 2nd at Horace Greeley School. Rev. Msgr. John J. Dennison was the founding pastor and served for over half a century.

  • 1902

    The first Mass was celebrated in the temporary church.

  • 1913

    The cornerstone was laid for the current church, designed by Henry J. Schlaks.

  • 1916

    The current rectory was dedicated. Construction also commenced for the first two floors of the current school building, which was dedicated in December. The school is staffed by the Sisters of Mercy and dedicated laypeople.

  • 1917

    The present church was dedicated on May 20th, the cost of construction was $127,000.

  • 1939

    The Hagerty Building was dedicated in December, this building served at the convent for many years. The sisters former convent on the corner of Buena and Kenmore was razed to create a playground for the school.

  • 1945

    4152 North Sheridan Road was purchased for use as a parish clubhouse.

  • 1956

    Fr. Harry Rynard is installed as pastor.             

  • 1962

    Fr. John Hartnett is installed as pastor. 4228 North Sheridan Road was purchased and home was razed to make a parking lot.

  • 1964

    Weekly Spanish language Sunday Mass is instituted.

  • 1966

    Fr. John Kuhlmey is installed as pastor.             

  • 1971

    Bishop Nevin Hayes is installed as pastor.             

  • 1974

    Fr. John Rosemeyer is installed as pastor. 4221 North Kenmore was purchased for use as a community center.

  • 1976

    Mr. Ted Kuntz is ordained as the first permanent deacon for the parish.

  • 1988

    Fr. Robert Mair is installed as pastor.               

  • 2000

    Fr. James Colleran is installed as pastor.                

  • 2007

    Fr. James Colleran is installed as pastor.                

  • 2019

    Fr. Manuel Dorantes is installed as pastor.                

  • 2021

    Saint Mary of the Lake merges with Our Lady of Lourdes (4640 N. Ashland Avenue) on July 1st to form one new parish, as a result of Renew My Church restructuring. The parish is named Saint Mary of the Lake and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish; the main worship site and ministry center is Saint Mary’s site, while the Our Lady of Lourdes site is open for Sunday worship.

  • 2022

    The Soup Kitchen moves from Our Lady of Lourdes to Saint Mary of the Lake Church on February 9, 2022. The Soup Kitchen continues its mission since 1981, serving more than 300 our unhoused and migrant guests every week.

  • 2022-2026

    Through the generosity of one of our parishioners, Saint Mary of the Lake Church was repainted with a new paint scheme, additional artwork and embellishments were added, restoring our church to its original splendor.

  • 2024

    Parishioners, leadership and the archdiocese make the difficult decision to close the Our Lady of Lourdes Church building after 108 years of service. The final Mass was celebrated by Bishop Mark Bartosic on Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 2024.

  • 2024

    Fr. Sergio Rivas-Tamayo is installed as pastor.

  • 2026

    After years of planning and fundraising, the church is fully air conditioned for the first time.