Historic Catholic Church in Chicago to Close After More Than 100 Years | EWTN News Nightly

A Catholic church in Chicago that opened more than 100 years ago is set to close for good this Sunday after the 1pm Mass. There is a community effort to try and save Our Lady of Lourdes on the north side of Chicago. One group is trying to have it be designated as a historic landmark. The church was built in 1916. Parishioners say it draws pilgrims from all over the country to see the replica of the Grotto of Lourdes in France. The archdiocese says the church is no longer needed since a merger with nearby St. Mary of the Lake. The pastor of both parishes said in a statement, "This is a very difficult moment in the life of our parish. We understand that this decision will cause hurt, sadness, anger and confusion." President of the nonprofit Our Lady of Lourdes Church Preservation Society, Katarina Garcia, joins to tell us more about Our Lady of Lourdes and why it qualifies as a historic landmark and should be preserved. The archdiocese says Mass attendance at Our Lady of Lourdes has steadily dropped. And with limited priest help, it was necessary to consolidate Mass times and eventually close and merge with the other nearby church. Garcia responds to this. She discusses what the feeling is among parishioners.
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[@gloriab5514]

Our Lafy of Lourdes please save this church and all our other churches too.

[@sheilatejada7748]

It’s just sad that Catholic Churches are closing. I love old churches 🥲and Traditional Latin Mass🙏🙏🙏

[@DoctorDewgong]

The Bishop of Chicago has the exact opposite opinion unfortunately

[@user-km3vj5cg9o]

Yes, so true🙏

[@rfiumara2676]

Me too. I love the Latin Mass

[@femaleKCRoyalsFan]

@@DoctorDewgong I hear he even hates the Saint Michael prayer and has banned it from being prayed after mass.

[@littleflwr1007]

Devil at work!

[@debbiegraham5585]

I'm praying to save this Church. AMEN

[@Premaprema-lf3jx]

American must turn to God

[@davecharette9773]

Why not allow the TLM to turn the church in to a diocesan Shrine, a pilgrimage site. I'm sure the parish will flourish and reinvigorate the neighborhood. Let's pray to Our Lady of Lourdes for this intervention! Please, Cardinal Cupich make this happen! 🙏

[@WT-Sherman]

Cardinal Cupich would rather it be a smoking hole in the ground than allow the Traditional Mass.

[@RickW-HGWT]

​@@WT-ShermanAmen , cupcake cupich is a hireling not a shepherd.

[@cosmicallyderived]

Amen

[@Abraham-uk4xy]

Superb idea.

[@kemmow25]

Yep, their so very stupid cardinal just does not get it. The youth and the faithful going to other very solid places and that the Arch wants to shutdown. Note to those guys in red hats from a 38 year old revert father of two. We have wheels and will travel to the most sacred and reverence places that we can. our goal is to be fathers and men and protect our families just as Saint Joseph does. Stop what you are doing and look to what was done and both protected and grew the faith for over 1500 years.

[@andresinsurriaga1082]

It's so sad. The problem is no longer a lack of priests, but a lack of faithful. Chicago has tons of people. That church should be packed every Sunday.

[@erikbrim8381]

We have to do something I’m so tired of hearing one church after another after another after another closing. We should make it a goal to reopen parishes that have closed and bring people back to God and to the church.

[@beenbeatenbybishops5845]

MONEY. Greed.

[@rosaborrego7183]

Lord Jesus Christ Please hear our prayers and save this Beautiful Church Amen 🙏 🙏 🙏

[@nobody99]

lol paganism is dying

[@peaceout7517]

Our Lady of Lourdes, save this beautiful church, Hear us

[@handel1111]

Here in Philippines, we lack church buildings, our churches can't accommodate waves of people each mass

[@salterrae2525]

Saka yn mga Catholic churches sa Europe puro Filipino yn nagsisimba. Saka marami pari Filipino. Siguro aging population kaunti mga bata sa kanila para continue magsuporta. Sayang historic structures. Great architectural sites.

[@user-ve6fl6nr2q]

Philipine has growing muslim population, basilicas, churches are transformed into mosque

[@salterrae2525]

@@user-ve6fl6nr2q That's not true. Muslims remain minority religion in Philippines for many centuries. Recently we celebrated 500 years of Christianity in Philippines. We survived persecutions and challenges for a long time. Most people in Mindanao the Muslim region are Christians. Your wishful thinking will never happen because there are more Muslim who convert to Christianity even in other parts of the world.

[@user-ve6fl6nr2q]

@@salterrae2525 my habiba its a FACT not wishful dreaming, I went to Manila decade ago, and I saw many muslims living there every corner of the city, churches has few attendees, muslims pray on the crowded streets of manila

[@salterrae2525]

@@user-ve6fl6nr2q You only see a small area not the entire 71007 islands. You are opinionated with no reliable basis. Where did you get your statistics? I have seen videos and comments from Mindanao people saying there are more Christians in that region and saying it's wrong to say if you are from Mindanao you are Muslim. That's false. Did you see the feast of Sto. Niño in Quiapo Church where millions of Catholic go? No Muslim can do that.

[@linda1881]

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, I pray to our Lady to save this historic church ..

[@kimchan98]

It is a historical landmark...it should be preserved no questions asked...

[@paulfarruggia9770]

Our Lady of Lourdes pray for us!!!

[@agnes709]

Our Lady of Lourdes, please save this church. Amen

[@florescelmar58]

Mama Mary whisper to Jesus that it will not close this church 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@donwondertv7464]

Save this Church 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏💕💕💕value the effor ,thirst, sacrifices and honor those people behind building of this church💕

[@elisabetta8680]

Sono daccordo

[@richardounjian9270]

This is the fault of those Catholics who no longer attend Mass

[@user-up5wi4yr9s]

Good hearted and wonderful people in this world just like this lady, such a good soul!

[@philomenasequeira6083]

Such an extremely sorry situation. The Americans have stopped praying, going to church or even reading the Holy Bible. The Americans have forgotten Jesus. It's such a sad situation.

[@JewelBlueIbanez]

They tried something like this in Lethbridge, Alberta. The people wrote to the Vatican and the Vatican sided with the people that the church could not sold.

[@Catholic_Bible_Study]

Pray Rosary and divine mercy chaplet for the conversion of People.

[@katarinadreams6955]

I have like forty dollars in my bank account. I'll happily send it to help keep the church that is named for when the Holy Mother Mary appeared to my confirmation Saint Bernadette standing. The architecture is beautiful. Those domes are glorious. Blue (OSP) would be so upset to see them go

[@user-km3vj5cg9o]

Dear Lady in Heaven, please keep this beautiful church open. It’s almost 100 years old and it seems to me as a viewer on the other side, so perfect, so serene, and oh so heavenly. In Jesus name I pray, AMEN

[@isabelpimentel1415]

They also closed the first Portuguese church in the United States, located in New Bedford, Massachusetts. We fought so hard with the dioceses to preserve our Portuguese catholic heritage and they only played games with the parishioners. Gave us rules and markers to accomplish. We would ask for bench markers, which they never gave us numbers. We accomplished everything they told us that we needed and at the end, it was not enough and they still closed us down. It was one of the hardest things I personally went through because we lost a whole faith family at once!

[@Bag2020]

We are in difficult times. Watch and pray.

[@CalebCasanova]

They should give it to the Canons Regular of St John Cantius.

[@kemmow25]

Yep or the ICKSP. Give it 6-8 years and people will be saying oh my so many young families... so much beautiful music....

[@peterserio7349]

@@kemmow25 Unfortunately, Cardinal Cupich closed down the ICKSP at the Shrine of Christ the King a couple of years ago. He is definitely not a big fan of traditional orders.

[@kemmow25]

oh I know and understand that. I am thankful to live other the boarder and I think God our Arch is not drinking the same tainted water ​@@peterserio7349

[@DoctorDewgong]

​@@peterserio7349 He cares more about his own ego that the good of the Church

[@normavonderheide2953]

Me and my 5 siblings all graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes . This church holds many wonderful memories, I pray that Jesus has a plan to keep the church open in some capacity. I pray for those who have left the one true religion Norma

[@aaf6711]

Shocker. The archdiocese was lying about Mass attendance. And they still won’t admit all these closings are due to what they’ve done since 1962

[@floriefernandes4588]

Im praying yo our Lady of Lourdes Almighty God please save this church Amen

[@claramcewen5938]

It breaks my heart to see the beautiful old churches closing. Think of all the souls that were welcomed and then honored (at death). 1:43 .😢😢

[@Rogerthatidea]

You just hit the nail on the head. Too many Catholics are only are involved in the church a few times in their lives. Membership means absolutely nothing. In reality, the RC in America is dying a quick death. The number of practitioners is minuscule compared to the claimed membership.

[@christyozawa8025]

Sad 😢😢😢 it’s understandable to close the church of Saint Lourdes 😢😢😢 imagine more than 100 yrs and many miracles happened 🙏 hoping for miracles please Saint Jude pray for this case we need miracles 🙏🙏🙏 in the name our Our Lord Jesus Christ 🙏🙏🙏

[@catholicfemininity2126]

What the actual eff??? Mother Mary, please intercede for the people's sake to keep this church open, pray that many millions in or close to that church convert and support it and give their lives to God, but God's will be done.

[@annemcquade7185]

Our Lady of Lourdes please intercede and SAVE this Church! Too many are now adays wanting to make money rather than carry out what the Church was built in the first place for! Amen Glory to God in the Highest level of Love forever. ❤❤❤ PS Please pray for the repose of the soul, of my sister Winnie (Winnifref) O'Neil, who died, in New Zealand this morning. We all Love you so much and hope that even now you are in the wonder of Heaven. Thank you to you all and Our Lady of Lourdes for the comfort to her and her family, especially in Prayer. Mercie beaucoup! Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy and please enfold Winnie in Your wonderful Love. Thank You Lord Jesus. Amen Glory to God in the Highest level of Love forever. ❤❤❤ "He is Risen" Alleluia Alleluia Praise the Lord!❤❤❤🙏 See you in Heaven, great sister Winnie in New Zealand.

[@loganw1232]

Pray to our lady of Lourdes.

[@donwondertv7464]

I'm a Filipino, but sad to hear about this news,hope the Vatican can re solve this issues.

[@linabartholomeusz7192]

Whatever the reason its really sad to see ancient churches closing 😢 People pay so much for a musical concert, but would not like to contribute to save churches.

[@anthonylobo529]

Just because of merger it's inappropriate to shut down Our Lady of Lourdes How one Mary make another's Redundant I sincerely hope and pray that the doors remain open and it is necessary for the people to rekindle Faith and begin attending Mass to facilitate the church's functioning God Bless Love ❤❤❤❤ 💯

[@patreddy1610]

That church should be saved. It is a beautiful church. Sadly there are fewer people going to church these days!

[@leezamariejpw8858]

My gosh, this is truly sad. Please help us dear Heavenly Mother.

[@mkeane6389]

Same thing happening in Yonkers, NY. After 100 years the oldest church is closing. Very sad.

[@Paul71H]

Give the building to the Ordinariate or the FSSP, or even the SSPX. It's hard to understand the mindset that wouldn't try to find some way to allow the Mass to continue to be offered in such a beautiful and historic building.

[@SL-es5kb]

It’s possible that There is probably deferred maintenance costs making it difficult for any group to maintain it. Even if maintained these beautiful churches cost way may than modern buildings to maintain. The dioceses are being cold and calculating not recognizing the intangible value. Better to sell off modern churches and consolidate behind these buildings if truly backed in a corner imo. Thr modern churches have more resale value anyways. We have a 1883 gothic style cathedral in my area closing this year. It’s already been classified as historic heritage so its just going to sit there empty and deteriorate further for decades unless some wealthy benefactors take over it’s maintenance. my guess is you will be seeing a lot of this happening with these older churches. It’s devastating.

[@juliusrendon5936]

All the youve mentions is all excommunicated and not a line with Pope so BIG NO

[@Paul71H]

@@juliusrendon5936 None of the groups I mentioned are excommunicated. The SSPX is in an irregular canonical situation, but the other two groups are fully in union with the pope, with no irregularities. Please do not engage in calumny.

[@juliusrendon5936]

@@Paul71H FSSP IS GOOD BUT SSPX IS EXCOMMUNICATED

[@Paul71H]

@@juliusrendon5936 I'm glad that we can agree on the FSSP. For the SSPX, I wouldn't argue with you if you say that they aren't in full communion with the Catholic Church. But on what basis do you say they are currently excommunicated? Their bishops had been excommunicated, but those excommunications were lifted in 2009.

[@jaredhall6994]

I would bet that if it were turned over to the FSSP or Institute of Christ King it would flourish just like John Cantius. There is an intense hunger among more and more Catholics for traditional looking churches and the Latin mass.

[@streamscreen]

Beautiful church I drive by it all the time here in Chicago.You can see it needs work but beautiful and ashame it’s closing.Would hate to see it torn down.Amazing they moved that church across ashland ave must have been a really big job.

[@lenagjolaj8871]

Our lady of Lourdes please save this church we beg you with all our heart🙏🙏🙏😥😥😥

[@SL-es5kb]

We have an older church here, the first in this region, built in 1883 being closed. It’s run down looking but still the most breathtakingly beautiful place within 8 hrs drive any direction. There is over ten million in deferred maintenance but the diocese just left it up to a shrinking inner city parish with inadequate funding for decades. It’s devastating.

[@yanayoriginals8498]

The shepherds just abandoned the flock of Christ. They will answer for all these. So sad.

[@kiefermomcm-c3856]

Very saddening. Hope the Cathlolic Church will reconsider Its decision🙏🙏🙏

[@okj9060]

Give it to the FSSP!!!

[@billmaroney890]

Give it? Give it?

[@okj9060]

@@billmaroney890 ​​⁠ Yeah I guess. A Latin mass community will most likely form at the parish alongside the already parishioners. That would help Ensure its future

[@WT-Sherman]

That would have to have Cardinal Cupich permission. Not likely.

[@maryfrancis2328]

I’m heartbroken for you. I will pray for you and your church.

[@jamesmedina6015]

Re-Open it and evangelize to fill the Church ⛪️ Jesus is here✝️♥️🕊️

[@angelaarceneaux2019]

Folks leaving their parishes , flight to suburbia….. now you cry . What did they expect. Sad Do your best Caterina

[@equine2020]

Its sad too many Catholic churchs are closing.

[@user-mv2tg8hc8c]

I pray she succeeds! What a gorgeous church! I have been there for adoration many times.

[@julieCA58]

Praying to our Lady of Lourdes. Should we all email the vatican?

[@Catholic_Bible_Study]

What's the use ? If people are not flourishing into church what they can do ? We need to pray rosary and make penenece

[@HalifaxPeacock]

The Church should belong to the Catholic people. It is their money that built and moved it. It should be given to a community trust for a dollar. Catholics unite!

[@Ruth-dw6gp]

I hope they will save this church from closing 🙏🙏🙏

[@jeffjay9350]

I lived in that neighborhood some 20 years ago. The Hispanics who go/ went to this parish have moved on as the neighborhood had gentrification. The current residents are young professionals and the LGBT community. Hardly the population to support this parish. The school and convent have already been converted to apartments. I went back this past week to pray in the adoration chapel on last time. The building is crumbling and needs so much work. While it would be nice to see it saved, who will pay for it?

[@Palo7]

I don’t understand how someone can close that beautiful church and just don’t think about how many memories celebration of so many people have been there for lots of people churches are like home they can feel peace love respect and light to the world ❤ I pray for you so you can save that church .we the Slovak parishioners just buy the church last year and now it’s Catholic Church Lady of Seven Sorrow in Palos Hills il

[@rosietaganas]

Save the Church of our Lady

[@user-dg1ho4tj2g]

Bring this to the Philippines. This church bldg is so beautiful. When put here in our country, its beauty shall be shine with so many people, pilgrims to fill it on Sundays and days of Marian devotees.

[@elingeniero2000]

Landmarking is a horrible idea st Boniface has been an eye sore for 30 years because no one could do anything due to landmark status. Look like they are final working on the building. Also if you own the building does not mean you can use it. Cardinal Cupich is known for banning religious orders in good standing that own the church building from celebrating Mass. Good luck saving your Parish.

[@isaiah3872]

In the midst of all these closures, I hope that the parishioners are welcomed, spiritually fed and able to get engaged with their new parishes. I also hope that records attached to these former parishes are preserved, including records of the sacred art used in each one.

[@randywatts6969]

Hopefully it won’t end up getting demolished.

[@Cojo910]

Where are the men if the parish. It often seems that when the men step aside and the women take up the load, the parish fails.

[@elfidasoto9049]

Keep that in my prayers too

[@igorlopes7589]

Thanks Cdl Cupich, good job! 🎉🎉🎉🎉 A new springtime indeed!

[@Catholic_Bible_Study]

In India churches are packed and overflowing in some churches ever sunday .

[@HumorNWaffles]

"What bishops can't control, they kill." -Frank Pavone.

[@wolfthequarrelsome504]

Stoopid

[@PierreHNica]

It’s so odd the way the Catholic Church works in the US, in other countries they would never close a church because “it’s not needed”, in fact more churches are created. Incredible how in this country buildings (church building) can be just disposed when a new one is built.

[@ElleCee62978]

There were 2 churches in my neighborhood. I went to the 1880s one, but the 1860s church was beautiful. They merged the 1860s into my parish. The 1860s one is currently deconsecrated and is becoming an event space

[@Isphanian]

Bring back Traditional Latin Mass, and more faithful will go to Mass.

[@beenbeatenbybishops5845]

And the Archdiocese will make a nice piece of change selling the land to developers. MONEY.

[@gilroy4467]

Do not Sell the church Millions of Dollars are needed to built a church like this today If you Sell it will go to Others Think well do right thing

[@joseeallyn9950]

The people have moved south. In North Texas three enormous new churches have been, or are being, built in only one area. It is a pity that some of the building materials from the old and now unused churches can't be used for building new churches in places where the faith is very much alive. The church I attend is filled to capacity at every Mass, there is a steady stream of converts and baptisms. This parish alone has five young men in seminary (some from this parish were priested recently). There are normally about thirty or thirty five in seminary for The Diocese. There are lessons to be learned about how the Mass is presented to the people and there are lessons to be learned about adherence to The Faith . As some one once said "He who marries the spirit of the age is soon a widower", that can be turned around for women too, but The Church should never make an ungodly marriage with the latest fads in teaching and morals. Although some of the drift away from churches is because industries, jobs and the cost of housing mean that people migrate, the fact remains that many churches have a liturgy that is 'unsatisfactory' and the complete Faith is not taught, while some of the more troublesome social issues are condoned. Unfortunately there are other religious bodies that look like 'the old style religion' , but are not in Communion with The Church Catholic and people can be led astray. We are as some great theologians have said, "A Pilgrim People", it is not good for us to look back like Lot's Wife, but rather facilitate new growth and adhere more closely to The Good News, not The New News and then maybe people would be drawn to those very churches that are failing now.

[@piathomas3446]

Sad yes when any church closed it’s part of history and should be preserved and saved

[@patreddy1610]

We always had Midnight Mass at my local church but our wonderful Parish Priest retired and we got a new one, who after being at the church for a couple of years decided that he didn't want to have Midnight Mass If you want to go to Midnight Mass you have to go to a church a couple of miles away, which is not ideal for some people,!

[@harrykane1748]

This is sad. I hope they would invite either FSSP, ICKSP or IBP who are all in communion with the Holy See and in regular status to take care of that parish. I’m sure that parish would see growth. I could attest to that because here in Connecticut in the Diocese of Bridgeport, back in 2017 the diocese entrusted one of the parish here to ICKSP and the number of parishioners grew since then.

[@bernieoconnell5515]

This church is no longer needed says the Catholic hierarchy. Really? It’s no longer needed in these troubled time? It’s so sad to see this and I so emphasise with the heartbroken blonde lady that is speaking. So so depressing.

[@edwardprisby7603]

Sad. This would be a beautiful church for the TLM.

[@stephenburns3678]

Bless you

[@dostondoc23]

God bless you all !

[@John2verse5]

Notre Dame de Lourdes🌹, ruega por vosotros los pecadores. Beloved St. Bernadette, please pray for us

[@bernieoconnell5515]

So sorry to hear this.

[@succorodsouza714]

Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee bless are thou amongst women & blest is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Oh! Blessed mother pray for us that Jesus open the eyes of His chosen people to see the truth & light of Father God. The truth shall set us free. Amen.

[@lupitaalday280]

Prayers 🙏💙🌹

[@johngreene9824]

Albany new york use to have about 4 catholic churches...i believe they r down to one...in down town

[@User4961j]

This is the plight of Europe too, beautiful churches - in fact beautiful structures or not, numbers of attendance have dwindled to almost zero and the government authorities found it difficult to finance the maintenance of these buildings. BUT the worst is people do not attend services,, thus no funds come in, shortage of Priests, volunteers. The people have forgotten that our Lord emptied HIMSELF to nourish us with His Sacred Body and Blood, in fact the very breath of life we breathe we owe to Him! Lord open their spiritual eyes to see You

[@neliahechanova4955]

Very sad to hear … Jesus ,Mary, Joseph saved the church Our Lady Lourdes,🙏🙏🙏❤️

[@mishasumi6827]

In the Roman army, if a cohort of the legion was defeated in Battle at the end of the Battle. The surviving leader would be executed. It is why the Roman army was such an effective fighting machine because of the level of accountability perhaps. If? We treated our bishops the same way with war against the devil, our churches would be filled. Are bishops are unmotivated and faithless as those who do not attend church.

[@southafricandominion]

Give it to the Society of St Pius the X

[@redindianaztec6768]

Damn sad that this beautiful church is closing … purchasing the Church … what a wonderful great idea … wish this lovely girl all the very best in her noble endeavour God bless her beautiful soul … Ave Maria

[@VUrban-yr5ch]

No excuse to close a church. Bishops and priest need to work harder to bring people back. We have lukewarm religion. 🙏🕊✝️🤗

[@robertorr7067]

Gosh, who is the Bishop of Chicago???

[@DoctorDewgong]

You don't want to know...

[@BlindBiker3]

Keep it open. All those people can go to the old church.

[@nidarestua6286]

🙏🙏🙏

[@Renee-kk1hf]

Preserve it.🙏

[@kimchan98]

Why can't they close the other church mentioned in this broadcast????

[@anthonyweekes1359]

Get the traditional Latin mass movement take care of it

[@donwondertv7464]

Search an option,find a community willing to help to managed this, closure is sad.💕🙏

[@bitilakharumnuid4514]

So sad😭Why not arrange morning Mass in one church and day or evening time in another🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@bruceprice8882]

New businesses can't, (or won't) open, old established businesses close or leave, churches and schools close = death blows of a dying city.

[@TheAQUAJAG]

Very sad…so many historic, holy and beautiful churches throughout this country are closed. My thoughts and prayers are with this community in their efforts to save such a treasure 🙏

[@yanayoriginals8498]

Speaks much of the American people and the Church Leaders (the Shepherds of Christ’s flock). The Bishop is a BIG FAILURE.