Old St Mary’s Church

I recently moved to Boston and miss the community of OSM terribly. I was a parishioner there for over 10 years and had the pleasure of seeing the school and the congregation grow and flourish. It is extremely diverse with all ethic backgrounds and ages. It is one of the only (possibly THE only) growing parish in the Chicago Archdiocese. I’m Filipino and the Filipino community is very active there. They organize the gatherings in the common after masses (sometimes there are Filipino desserts!) and they host a Simbang Gabi every year (a traditional Filipino Mass during the Christmas season). I’m so disappointed I haven’t found a parish in Boston that is as welcoming and diverse as OSM. The search is still on…

I have been a parishioner of OSM for a few months now. I love attending the 11am mass on Sunday. I attend the service alone and never feel uncomfortable walking up to a pew and sitting by a family etc. I do wish the parking lot was larger, but that’s church in the city! I am looking forward to seeing what new projects they begin for the church and school.

When I moved to Chicago for a new job I searched for a parish around the South Loop. OSM felt like coming home. I appreciate their liturgies and love the hospitality event that follows most of the masses. Give it a try!

Stopped into OSM a couple of weeks ago, this man right away approached me at the entrance asking why I was there… Ummm isn’t obvious why one goes to church? There was a mass happening at the time, but honestly I thought they had personal prayer hours like other churches, what I didn’t expect was the church to have a bouncer or to need any other reason for attending. Not a very welcoming approach or environment (literally wasn’t welcomed just challenged), how the church has changed, they never had bouncers when I was growing up. So now I go to Old St Patrick’s, where they are welcoming of anyone who goes in and don’t gave bouncers (is worth the drive versus the walk).

Old St. Mary’s has a lot going for it. First it is the oldest Catholic church in Chicago. Hence the old. But don’t let the name fool you. Over the repeated burn downs and re-​locations Old St. Mary’s is very modern, sleek and contemporary on the inside. Six sections of pews face the simple altar and gorgeous stained glass. Light oak and simple color schemes allows parishioners or guests to focus in on what really matters. The entrance way is also ideal for fellowship and simple gatherings. Adjacent to their school this is likely one of my favorite Catholic churches in the city.

nice church in the heart of the South Loop area. Parking is somewhat hard to find. But not terrible.
This church is a modern version of the Catholic Church — started by the Paulist Fathers. Old St. Mary’s is the oldest parish in the city of Chicago, a part of the Archdicese of Chicago.

I am a catholic school product living in the south loop, so it was inevitable for me to attend Old St. Mary’s. The service was very traditional and the parishioners were quite friendly and welcoming.
I went recently, on the 1^st Sunday of 2010. It was a great being in a packed house with such great energy! I was most impressed by the diversity. It felt so nice to be in a room representing several shades, cultures, ages, and experiences… so very beautiful!

Very diverse and friendly congregation. Lots of activites and fundraising to get invloved in.

My church for the last year or so, I was always happy with it. Ia very diverse congregation, and the school seems to be really pulling the community together. Worship tends toward the contemporary side (the Gather hymnal and synth piano, rather than organ). I wouldn’t call it a great church for young singles, although with the new Sunday evening mass, perhaps that will change.

I was not raised Catholic so maybe 3 stars is unfair… but I do go to this Church on occasions such as Easter and whenever I’m feeling particularly bad… There are a ton of kids here which is both fun and distracting. The people seem nice. I’m just in need of something a little more… alive?