Architecture Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church (Chicago)

view of altar during evening mass

the original plans drawn herman olszewski (better known pseudonym von herbulis), scaled-down fit resources of parish. local architect william krieg drew final version of plans , construction began in 1905 completion october 1906.

the building combines variety of styles. 2 towers flank entrance, features monumental portico supported 4 corinthian columns. corinthian pilasters , pediments adorn openings in lower portions of towers; higher up, toward cupolas, decoration becomes exuberantly baroque. baroque superstructure, constructed of brick , stone, rises above portico, interior segmental arches , skeletons of towers of iron. inside church north , south windows gothic-romanesque in style.

this blend of styles reminiscent of many churches of poland built during middle ages and, after being damaged war or fire, rebuilt , remodeled suit later tastes. money exhausted before remodeling completed exterior executed in 1 style , interior in another. architect of holy trinity evidently followed pattern of things remembered, hoping give congregation feeling of old country.

the turn-of-the-century church interior retains original form. spacious @ 125 200 feet (38 m × 61 m)) , richly decorated. segmental vaults tripartite but, being of iron construction, have no supporting columns. murals of religious scenes cover walls, including grouping depicting patron saints of poland. windows stained glass , represent sacred symbols familiar polish immigrants founded parish, such black madonna on altar of st. francis of assisi; our lady of gate of dawn glows richly above altar of sacred heart. other windows feature small windows of polish saints , martyrs polish eagles , folkloric motifs.

k. markiewicz executed interior decorations of holy trinity in 1914 , mural paintings on vaults completed in 1926. fine stained glass windows selected in 1940 , installed in 1955. installed well-known polish artist, irena lorentowicz. figure of our lady queen of emigrants professor wiktor zin brought church , blessed cardinal joseph bernardin in 1990. in 1992, urn filled soil kharkiv, katyn , mednoye in former soviet union. each of these sites contained mass graves of poles murdered during world war ii. congretation installed memorial plaques in narthex in 1993 , 1994 honor casimir sztuczko, csc, longtime pastor of holy trinity oversaw building of current church, , commemorate 50th anniversary of battle of monte cassino, respectively. millennium doors, artist jerzy kenar, began welcoming visitors sanctuary in 2000. in honor of 100th anniversary of construction of current church, congregation began renovation campaign in 2005. work included installing new copper cupolas 2 church towers, new granite tile in presbytery, , painting , refurbishing interior. area above choir received new mural depicting st. cecilia in company of angelic choir. other new depictions include st. faustina, cardinala stefan wyszynski , august hlond , pope john paul ii added reflect saintly cults popular among today s polish community. parish obtained relics of st. gianna beretta molla, karolina kózka , padre pio adoration parishioners.