Second Presbyterian Church

One of the beautiful Presbyterian churches that we have in Chicago. I would love to go back to attend the services, along with getting a proper tour of the place. My first visit I stopped in while cycling, and had no time to get the tour. After visiting Fourth, and Second Presbyterian I vowed to visit every historic one in Chicago. I can’t wait to see what different features the others have compared to Fourth, and Second.

Opened in 1874, the windows are beautiful! I went on the Open House Chicago weekend, but they offer tours year round. They have docents to talk about the church and the detail of the stain glass windows. The exterior is the original, the interior did suffer from fire. Since then the church has been left be to show everyone who visits it’s originality. I will be visiting again, I was on solo trip but plan to take the family next time.

Outstanding. An embarrassment of Tiffany riches, and a most striking church in many ways. We arrived when they were distributing lunches to the homeless, and one of the church ladies broke away to give us an impromptu tour. Sadly the windows and church needs a lot of repair work, so go look at the beautiful windows, and then donate to their fund.

This church is the best example or the Arts and Crafts Movement in America that I have ever seen. Don’t miss it! I took an excellent private 1 hour tour by a volunteer docent. These tours aren’t offered every day but check the web page of the foundation that is working to restore this church to see when one is being offered.

If you appreciate the history of Chicago, you no doubt already know about the Prairie District in what is now a teeming mixed residential and business area south of Roosevelt Road and Michigan Avenue. This is the massive church that anchors the far southern end of this District.
Much of the church’s fame comes from the huge amount of art within its interior and structure. I was amazed to learn that this is truly the Second Church because the first structure was located in the central area that was devastated in the great Chicago Fire of 1871. When you tour the interior, you will see the residue from another fire (in 1900) that still mars some of the surfaces. No need for anyone to post photos of the surviving stained glass windows, since the church’s Web site provides this lovely gallery of them:
Now that the whole area is being «gentrified» by the steady influx of new and motivated residents, there is the hope that this century-​and-​a half-​old edifice will be preserved into the next century. If you’ve not discovered this building yet, there are many ways to get started. The church’s site has the basic history of the building:
. The Friends of Historic Second Church’s web site (
) has provided many resources for you. The Friends support the tours that happen every week at the church on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays (
). You can also arrange more flexible group tours with them too.
On March 11, 2013, this building was designated as a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Extraordinary space for worship. Really, you could just sit in the sanctuary and be moved spiritually by the carvings and windows. The choir is lovely. I sense a new spirit among the new members. This is a growing and re-​developing neighborhood which much potential for ministry.

Second Presbyterian is best known for its arts and crafts interior and its gorgeous Tiffany windows, but I think the real gems are the two Edward Burne-​Jones windows in the narthex. There aren’t many Burne-​Jones windows on this side of the Atlantic, and these two are exceptionally beautiful. Also, like Second’s Tiffany windows, they’re at eye level. No need to pull out binoculars to look at the incredible details. They’ll even let you touch the Tiffany windows. Maybe you’ve heard of Tiffany’s «drapery glass» but touching it really brings it home.
The docent tours are great, but there’s also a new self-​guided tour brochure that provides most of the information you need to appreciate this Chicago gem.

The Second Presbyterian Church once served congregants living in the exclusive Prairie Avenue district in the late 19^th century, who included the Armours, the Glessners, the Pullmans, the Blackstones, and Mary Todd Lincoln and her son. Soon afterward, the neighborhood was abandoned by its residents for more desirable locations, and for the past hundred years, Second Presbyterian Church has survived with a small congregation miraculously almost unchanged.
The imposing Gothic Revival exterior dates to 1874 and was designed by James Renwick, whose other buildings include the original building for the Smithsonian Institution and St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC. In 1900, a fire destroyed the sanctuary, and Howard Van Doren Shaw, an architect whose parents were members of the congregation, was commissioned for the reconstruction. Completed in a year with the assistance of muralist-​decorator Clay Bartlett, the interior is a resplendent frozen moment in the Arts and Crafts movement.
The church has fourteen windows designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, the largest collection in any one building. Another two were constructed by the firm of William Morris. Several others were designed and executed by well-​regarded local firms. On a sunny day, they are breathtaking.
No less beautiful than the windows is the stunning, harmonious interior décor. Executed entirely in a unified palette of muted colors, the murals, smaller windows, light fixtures, and woodwork all combine in a singular aesthetic vision. From the main floor, the church is incredibly majestic, but to fully appreciate the detail of the murals and windows, walk up to the balcony to see them up close. Even the drapes behind the altar and the very threadbare carpet date to 1900.
Second Presbyterian Church is one of Chicago’s architectural jewels in regard to beauty and significance. The limited finances of the dwindling congregation prevented the redecoration/​renovation of the church for generations, thankfully long enough for the original artistry of the church to be recognized. Tours are available, and the church also hosts community and cultural events. Docents (some of which are current congregants) are very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Donations toward restoration and preservation are accepted.