Description
St. Peter's Church was organized originally in 1846 as the first German parish in the city of Chicago. Later during the pastorate of Father Leander Conley O.F.M. in 1942, the Woods Theatre (located at Randolph and Dearborn) building was bought to house the new St. Peter’s Church and friary. After a conference in that same year, Father Terence Thomas O.F.M. was called into Chicago from Dubuque, IA and was placed in charge of the church building and planning its conversion. It was soon discovered that the Woods Theatre could not be remodeled into a suitable church building, so the project was halted. Because of the scarcity of building materials during WWII, no action was taken on the plans for St. Peter’s Church. It was not until April 1949 that the Woods Theatre was sold and the La Salle Theatre building at 110 W. Madison St. was bought instead to be the site of the new church building. Construction was begun from the foundation up and the program was completed in 1949. K.M. Vitzthum and J. J. Burns were chosen to carry out the architectural design of the new St. Peter’s Church. Father Terence had to give up his parish in Dubuque in order to devote all of his time to the construction of St. Peter's once architects began work. John W. Griffiths and Son Construction Company began work on the church in June 1950 but soon found that they would not be able to complete the church building in 16-18 months as planned. Harsh winters and difficulties during pile driving the site contributed to the delay in the dedication and opening of the church. The church was completed two years later than expected and the opening of the church occurred on Labor Day, September 7, 1953. The new church building, being positioned in the center of the Loop, did not appeal to one specific group of worshippers but rather was open to anyone who happened to work in the area or was in the area visiting. The church building facade is largely sparse in design with no windows. Instead, the facade features a large marble crucifix done by Latvian sculptor Arvid Strauss that hangs over the triple portal main entrance standing at 18 ft. tall and weighing 26 tons. The church is a combination building with art deco and modern gothic features apparent in its interior and exterior designs. The main floor of the church accommodates 1250 visitors and the second floor balcony features two large chapels and space to seat 250 more visitors. The third, fourth and fifth floors of the church were intended to house the Franciscan friary and residences. The steel and concrete skeleton of the church building is covered by various types of marble cut and polished by the best Italian sculptors. Pink/tan Minnesotan marble is featured on the interior walls, and pink Tennessee marble was used for the flooring. The church also features polished ceilings, chandeliers, marble carvings and a pipe organ. The altar is simple, yet imposing with white Carrara marble used in the crucifixion group and statues of St. Peter and Paul featured at the altar. In addition, the church features bas relief panels depicting the life of St. Francis as well as two shrines dedicated to the Sacred Heart and the Sorrowful Mother. The Fourteen Stations of the Cross in the interior of the church were carved by Italian artist Carlo Vinchessi from drawings by local Chicago artist, Louis Caracciolo. Due to the fact that the church is positioned right against the buildings to the East and West of it, there are no windows on the side walls. The only sunlight that enters into the church is through the stained glass windows at the rear of the church, a design purposefully intended to evoke the spirit of Mary, Queen of Peace passing through the church and into the souls of all who visit.
Currently located at: 110 W Madison St. Chicago, Illinois 60602.
Source
McNamara, Denis Robert. Heavenly City: The Architectural Tradition of Catholic Chicago. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2005.
Saint Peter's Church. Commemorative book. 1953. File #32226.08. Published by the Franciscan Friars and Franciscan Herald Press. Located at the Archives and Records Center of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Koenig, Harry C. ed., “St. Peter Church” in Harry Koenig, ed., A History of the Parishes of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Vol. 1 (Chicago: The Archdiocese of Chicago, 1980).
A Picture Story: St. Peter’s New Church and Friary. Commemorative book. 1954. File #32226.08, 51. Published by the Franciscan Friars. Located at the Archives and Records Center of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
