Resurrection Project/St. Vitus Church

Themes: Catholicism, faith, religion

Two years after the Archdiocese of Chicago closed St. Vitus Church in 1990, the historic building was sold to the Resurrection Project, a faith-based, community-organized development group in Pilsen, for only $10. The group, composed of six area churches and other community members, got right to work preserving this beautiful building and making it into a new space for residents of Pilsen to build community. The murals that wrap around the building were painted by local teens involved in the rehabilitation project.

In 1995, the Resurrection Project’s dreams were realized when old St. Vitus church reopened as the Chicago Commons Guadalupano Family Center. Since ‘95, the Guadalupano Family Center has served Pilsen families, providing resources to parents as well as early childhood education. Within the next two years, the building will once again undergo a transformation through the work of the Resurrection Project. Guadalupano Family Center will be moved to a new location in the neighborhood, and the organization has announced plans to convert the church into affordable housing units as an effort to combat the ever-rising cost of living in Pilsen.

It is fitting that this building, which is so deeply rooted in community life, was painted by its members and of community life and values. From the images of kids playing soccer or listening to music to the buildings of Chicago to the Virgin of Guadalupe, the images presented on these walls are emblematic of the rich life shared by the people who love this place. Though they bear evidence of different artistic styles, there is a cohesiveness that can only come from a story told by many people together.

This description was written by Notre Dame student Meg Spesia.