Shrine of Christ the King to be restored
Shrine of Christ the King to be restored April 1, 2016 Nearly six months after a fire gutted the Roman Catholic Shrine of Christ the King Sovereign Priest at 6401 S. Woodlawn Ave., parishioners and groups fighting to save the structure received the news that it would be restored. Ironically, the latest fire happened while the church was in the midst of a major renovation project to repair interior damage from a fire in 1976. The latest fire happened on Oct. 7, 2015, when rags stored on plastic sheeting caught fire. The Archdiocese of Chicago recently deeded the Shrine of Christ the King and the land on which it stands to the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest. The international institute’s goals are the sanctification of priests, to honor God, and to spread the influence of Jesus Christ. The institute confirmed that it received sufficient funds through aggressive fundraising efforts for the immediate stabilization and restoration of the historic Shrine building. “We express our deep gratitude to the Archdiocese and all the individuals and organizations whose most generous and timely donations helped bring us to this moment,” said Rev. Canon Matthew L. Talarico, provincial superior for the institute in the United States. “We are mindful of the dangerous condition of the Shrine and will begin stabilization immediately with funds already collected.” The groups Coalition to Save the Shrine, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Landmarks Illinois, Preservation Chicago, the Woodlawn Peace Center, and the Woodlawn Residents Association all worked to keep the building from being torn down. Ward Miller, executive director of Preservation Chicago, announced that up to five donors who are providing a large portion of the money to save the church are willing to provide additional funding if the $450,000 they have committed fails to cover the full cost of the stabilization project. “These are all pledges by anonymous donors in this effort to address stability issues and concerns and continue the dialogue about permanent repairs to the building as a commitment to our city, the Woodlawn community, and the faithful of the Shrine of Christ the King,” Miller said. The Shrine of Christ the King Sovereign Priest was originally known as St. Clara and then as St. Gelasius. The building was designed Henry J. Schlacks, considered the finest of Chicago’s church architects, in 1923.
As the number of parishioners dwindled at the end of the 20th century, and much-needed repairs to the structure could not be carried out, the Archdiocese at first decided to close the parish and demolish the building. Instead, however, it reversed its decision and entrusted the care of the building to the institute in 2003, and in 2006 the building received landmark status from the City—both of which helped save it. Now, the institute has full control of the property. Gabriel Piemonte, a leader of the Coalition to Save the Shrine and the director of the Woodlawn Peace Center said, “Woodlawn is a neighborhood in the delicate process of resurgence, meaning that it was really important that this historic property and this community within the broader community were not lost to the neighborhood.” Although the Archdiocese of Chicago has not yet seen the institute’s stabilization proposal, archdiocesan officials remain supportive of the institute’s efforts. According to spokeswoman Susan Burritt, “the Archdiocese looks forward to understanding the details to ensure it [the plan] meets the needs of the Shrine of Christ the King worshippers and those of the community.” “With imminent parish closures across the Archdiocese, many historic Catholic churches are facing uncertain futures,” said Emily Nielsen of the Coalition to Save the Shrine. “The coalition hopes the shrine will become a model for how congregations, communities, and preservationists can work together for positive outcomes for these historic buildings.” For more information, log on to www.institute-christ-king.org. — Lisa Jenkins
As the number of parishioners dwindled at the end of the 20th century, and much-needed repairs to the structure could not be carried out, the Archdiocese at first decided to close the parish and demolish the building. Instead, however, it reversed its decision and entrusted the care of the building to the institute in 2003, and in 2006 the building received landmark status from the City—both of which helped save it. Now, the institute has full control of the property. Gabriel Piemonte, a leader of the Coalition to Save the Shrine and the director of the Woodlawn Peace Center said, “Woodlawn is a neighborhood in the delicate process of resurgence, meaning that it was really important that this historic property and this community within the broader community were not lost to the neighborhood.” Although the Archdiocese of Chicago has not yet seen the institute’s stabilization proposal, archdiocesan officials remain supportive of the institute’s efforts. According to spokeswoman Susan Burritt, “the Archdiocese looks forward to understanding the details to ensure it [the plan] meets the needs of the Shrine of Christ the King worshippers and those of the community.” “With imminent parish closures across the Archdiocese, many historic Catholic churches are facing uncertain futures,” said Emily Nielsen of the Coalition to Save the Shrine. “The coalition hopes the shrine will become a model for how congregations, communities, and preservationists can work together for positive outcomes for these historic buildings.” For more information, log on to www.institute-christ-king.org. — Lisa Jenkins
