Our History

The church building where Christ the Savior is now housed was once the property of the Apostolic Catholic Church. The denomination, an offshoot of Anglicanism, was organized in 1835 in Scotland. By the late 1900s the denomination was in decline and parishes were closing their doors, one by one.

While the customary practice of the Apostolic Catholic Church was to offer their buildings back to the local Episcopal diocese because of their Anglican heritage, when their doors closed, the congregation at North LaSalle wanted to explore other options. After a series of conversations and negotiations, it was agreed that the church and residence next door would be given to the OCA and that the Diocesan property in Oak Park would be sold. Proceeds from the sale of the Oak Park property would be used to restore the residence.

The property was finally acquired in 1996. On August 16, 1997 — the parish's patronal feast day — the church held its first service as well as a preliminary blessing for the temporary iconostas which had been completed the day before. For the next year, services were sporadic as efforts were undertaken to restore the church and residence.

By Thanksgiving 1998, the church had to close again for extensive renovation. Consistent services began the following February on the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee at the beginning of the Lenten Triodion.

Fr. John Baker came to Christ the Savior parish in the fall of 2004, bringing his own great energy and dreams for the parish. As a carpenter by trade, he was able not only to build up the parish spiritually, but also physically. Under his leadership, the community grew and became more financially stable; likewise, the church became more and more beautiful, with the painting of icons within the entirety of the church.

Perhaps the most exciting milestone for this community was the installation of the new iconostasis, completed just in time for Pascha of 2007. The iconostas represented years of labor and generosity — symbolically marking the movement from a fledgling mission to a full-fledged, thriving parish.

In May 2008, we reached another milestone as Archbishop Job consecrated the temple to the Glory of God. Archbishop Job expressed his wish for Christ the Savior: "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."

In May 2021, after 17 years of dedicated service, Fr. John Baker moved on to a parish in Michigan. His impact at Christ the Savior is incalculable. He was succeeded by Fr. Jonathan Lincoln, whose wife Matushka Meg had converted at Christ the Savior.

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. Archbishop Job 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.