Christ the Savior Orthodox Church occupies the former Apostolic Catholic Church, an offshoot of the Anglican church that has largely vanished. It was acquired by the Orthodox Church in America in 1996. Some architectural details from the previous Apostolic Catholic church remain, such stained glass and carved wooden shields capping the heavy timber beams that support the roof. But much else has been modified.
The community has grown and invested in beautification projects, most notably the installation of a new iconostasis, built by Saskatchewan carpenter Ben McNee with iconography done by master iconographer Archpriest Theodore Jurewic, who also painted the vibrant frescoes of the church. The iconostasis represents years of labor and generosity—and symbolically, it represents the movement from fledgling mission to a thriving parish.
Guided tours at the Christ The Savior Orthodox Church and of the adjacent building, the historic house of Ellis S. Chesbrough will be available to visitors. Ellis S. Chesbrough was the engineer who drafted a plan of Chicago buildings elevation in 19 century, and saved the city from flooding.
Guided tours will be held Saturday, October 14 from 10am - 4:30pm and Sunday, October 15 from 12 noon - 5pm.
