St. Mary of the Lake church was designed in 1913 by Henry J. Schlacks, a Chicago native who is responsible for over a dozen church designs. Inspired by the Italian Renaissance style, Schlacks used three Roman churches as design influences: St. Mary Major and St. Paul Outside the Walls impacted the design for the building, while St. Prudenziana’s campanile inspired the bell tower. The current church was dedicated on May 20, 1917, by Archbishop Mundelein. The lavish interior features Carrara marble sculpted in Italy, stained glass from Germany, and a ceiling painted in gilded gold. The church also showcases paintings by Gebhard Fugel, Temistocle Lamesi, and Chicago artists John Mallin and Joseph Malham.
Guided tours and self-guided tours are available at the entrance.
Visitor Experience
There will be options for both self-guided and guided tours.
