| Address | 3101-3111 S. Aberdeen Street, Chicago, IL |
|---|---|
| Built | 1901 (Rectory); 1908-1909 (Church) |
| Architect | Hermann J. Gaul |
| Status | Designated Chicago Landmark |
| Designation Date | October 14, 2021 (Final)City Council Journal of the Proceedings, p. 38163 |
| Neighborhood | Bridgeport |
| Type | Place of worship |
| Landmark ID | L-371 |
Direct quotes from the Chicago Landmark Designation Report
“The community today numbers between 8 and 10 monks who engage in the study and scholarship of Gregorian chant, a practice bolstered by the church's "magnificent acoustics." Building Architecture The Immaculate Conception Church was built in the Gothic Revival style and was inspired by Germany's Cologne Cathedral, the most significant religious structure in the hometown of the church's architect, Hermann J. Gaul.”
“Since 1991, it has operated as the Monastery of the Holy Cross, a Roman Catholic Benedictine Monastery of the Subiaco Cassinese Congregation. The complex includes a church building and adjoining rectory.”
“In the 1930s, the church established scouting programs and other activities for parish youth while the school's student body attendance stayed robust. The church's generous and dedicated congregation also ensured completion of Gaul's original design.”
“Carved stone statuary and brick ornamentation with fine decorative detail used throughout provided an opportunity for Gaul to offer the neighborhood a high-style church while also matching the material of surrounding brick cottages and two-flats.”
“Source unknown. finials. Gothic Revival architecture can be seen across Chicago, appearing in numerous city landmarks, such as Tribune Tower and the University of Chicago's earliest campus buildings (a version of Gothicism known as Collegiate Gothic).”
“Some of these buildings have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places, including Holy Hill National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, in Erin, Wisconsin, and the Gothic Revival St.”
“Both were designed by architect Hermann J. Gaul. An adjacent school building once located to the east of the church is no longer extant. An additional two-story brick flat building is also part of the complex but is not part of the landmark designation.”
“Michael F. Gaul carried on the firm's architectural practice until his passing in 1996. In that time, the firm designed buildings including Quigley South High School, now St.”
“The Building exhibits a high degree of architectural integrity. Since the Building was completed in 1908-1909, no major additions or alterations have been made to the Building. Most historic features, finishes, overall form, footprint, and location of entrances and arrangement of fenestration are intact.”
“Gaul was a member of what Kantowicz called the German “ethnic league” and designed four Gothic and two Romanesque churches in Chicago, in the vein of a tradition carried on by many of Gaul's contemporaries including Henry Schlacks, Egan & Prindeville, and Worthmann & Steinbach who all designed numerous Gothic and Romanesque churches throughout the city.”