The hospital was founded by Saint Francis Xavier Cabrini, America's first home-grown saint. The chapel was the home of the National Shrine of Saint Francis X. Cabrini. But it no longer serves that function. When the chapel was threatened with destruction, the chapel's relic, a bone from Mother Cabrini's right arm, was moved to Our Lady of Pompeii in Little Village for safe keeping.
Now LP2520 is being re-drawn to incorporate the holy place in the site plan.
Whether the complex will be built, or not, remains to be seen. The last peep we heard was back in January when Crain's ran an article talking about how this is going to be one of the most expensive (per square foot) projects in the city and talking about financing troubles.
Either way, we're glad this piece of Chicago's religious history has been spared.
Here's a 2002 article about saving it:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.insideonline.com/site/epage/7533_162.htm
Here's a 2004 article about saving it:
http://www.appraisalresearch.com/news/pressquotes/184.pdf
Here's a 2008 article about saving it:
http://www.insideonline.com/site/epage/64116_162.htm
http://www.insideonline.com/site/epage/2520_162.htm and one from 2001. I've never heard it *not* be included in the plans, I'm pretty sure that was one of the sticking points in getting the development approved.
ReplyDeleteGood to see that the chapel is on sound footings, so to speak. The article I read from 2007 indicated there was concern and that plans were being changed to preserve the chapel.
ReplyDeleteSad that this project has been in the works for so long, though, and has little progress to show.