Art and Architecture at Second Presbyterian Church
Where can you find 175 angels (at least), nine Louis Comfort Tiffany stained glass windows, and three historic and landmark designations?
At Chicago’s Second Presbyterian Church located at 1936 South Michigan Avenue. James Renwick, Jr. originally designed the building, which was dedicated in 1874. After a fire destroyed much of the interior in 1900, Howard Van Doren Shaw, a church member and architect, rebuilt the church interior in the Arts and Crafts style.
Second Presbyterian Church was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, a Chicago Landmark in 1977, and a National Historic Landmark in 2013. To view the gorgeous glass and celestial beings, stop by the church for a tour. Friends of Historic Second Church offers a public Art and Architecture Tour Wednesdays and Saturdays, between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., and Sundays at 12 noon. Their July 2014 flyer does not state a price, but welcomes donations. Their website indicates Saturday tours are $5, but it may not have been updated since the July printing.
Many interior and exterior restoration and cleaning projects are complete. However, much more needs to be done. To learn more about past and current projects, tour times, and about Friends of Historic Second Church, please visit their website.
Art and Architecture . . . and Music
Sounds of the South Loop concerts approximately 60 minutes in length (with no intermission) are held at the church on select Wednesdays (6 p.m.) and Sundays (2 p.m.). Optional church tours begin 45 minutes before the concerts. The 2014-2015 season gets underway on September 17 with Chicago Q Ensemble: violinist Ellen McSweeney, violist Aimee Biasiello, and cellist Sara Sitzer. Free performances are December 7, 2014 (special 3:30 p.m. start); February 15, 2015; and May 31, 2015. For ticket pricing, please visit the Sounds of the South Loop website.
To learn more about their outreach ministries, worship services, and other events, visit Second Presbyterian Church online.