About Us

Christ the Savior Orthodox Christian Church is a parish of the Diocese of the Midwest of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), located in the heart of Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood at 927 N. LaSalle Drive. We are a vibrant, pan-Orthodox community, welcoming faithful from all ethnic backgrounds as well as those seeking to discover the ancient Christian faith.

Our worship is conducted primarily in English, preserving the majestic hymnody, solemnity, and profound theological depth of the historic Church. The Divine Liturgy is celebrated every Sunday and broadcast live on Ancient Faith Radio Talk, starting at 9:30 am Central Time.

History of the Buildings

The church was built by J. E. O. Pridmore in 1901 for the Apostolic Catholic Church, a Restorationist, Charismatic offshoot of the Church of Scotland. The rectory next door was the home of the renowned Chicago engineer Ellis Chesbrough, who engineered both the elevation of the city to improve sanitation and the reversal of the flow of the Chicago River. The rectory appears on the 1886 Robinson's Atlas of Chicago and is referenced in the Chicago Tribune as early as 1870. When La Salle Street was widened in the late 1920s, the church's main façade was carefully deconstructed and reconstructed approximately fifteen feet east of its original location to accommodate the new street width.

Over time, the church gradually fell into disrepair, and the previous congregation no longer wished to maintain the building. Gregory Norris, a priest at the Church of the Ascension (Episcopal) on La Salle Street, recommended that they contact Archbishop Job (+2009). The Diocese of the Midwest of the Orthodox Church in America acquired the property in 1996, and the first service was held on August 16, 1997, the Feast of the Holy Mandylion. Services were sporadic until November 1998, when the church closed for restoration. In February 1999, regular services began on the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee.

For many years, the parish also served as the chapel of the Archbishop, whose residence was located next door in the rectory. The property also served as the diocesan center for the Diocese of the Midwest and functioned as a mission parish.

In May 2008, Archbishop Job consecrated the temple to the Glory of God. He shared his vision for an even greater witness in this part of the city:

"My wish for Christ the Savior Church is that it will be an ark of salvation for many and a beacon of Orthodoxy. I hope that it will always be a community of vigorous outreach to all those who seek the fullness of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and participation in the life of His Kingdom." — Archbishop Job (+2009)

The diocesan center relocated to Burbank, Illinois, in February 2020. Today, the grounds continue to serve the Christ the Savior parish community, while the rectory houses the parish priest and his family and provides space for coffee hours, educational programs, and parish celebrations.

People

Gregory Norris was instrumental in the Diocese's acquisition of the property. He was received into the Orthodox Church on April 23, 1994, at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Chicago and was ordained to the diaconate by Archbishop Job of Blessed Memory on the Feast of Holy Pentecost, June 18, 2000. Protodeacon Gregory served parishes throughout the Chicago Deanery for many years before relocating to Dallas. More information about his life.

From February 1999 to June 2004, Fr. Luke Nelson served as rector. During these formative years, Archbishop Job frequently expressed his desire that Christ the Savior become "one of the most beautiful churches in the country."

Fr. John Baker served as rector from the fall of 2004 until May 2021. During his tenure, the parish completed the iconostasis along with numerous iconographic and beautification projects. The parish continued to grow and mature.

During the interim following Fr. Baker's retirement, the parish was served by Fr. Jonathan Lincoln, Fr. John Russin, and Fr. Esteban Vásquez.

Fr. John Kennerk became rector of Christ the Savior in February 2023. Under the blessing of Archbishop Daniel, the parish continues to grow and welcome new members.

Come & See

Whether you are a lifelong Orthodox Christian or someone walking through the doors of a church for the first time, you are welcome here. We invite you to experience the Divine Liturgy and to participate in the life of a community dedicated to prayer, almsgiving, and the pursuit of holiness.