History of Save the Shrine
Save the Shrine is a coalition of a local congregation, community members and preservationists that is organized to restore the Shrine of Christ the King through historic preservation and community engagement. Formerly The Coalition to Save the Shrine, Save the Shrine prevented the demolition of the Shrine of Christ the King, a Chicago Landmark that was threatened following a fire in October 2015. Bringing together preservationists, Shrine faithful, and community members, the campaign to #SaveTheShrine led to the Archdiocese of Chicago’s decision to deed the historic building to an independent Catholic entity, the Institute of Christ the King. Now a non-profit organization incorporated in 2016, Save the Shrine is working to raise funds for the Shrine’s restoration and nourish the community that has formed in support of the Shrine's preservation.
The campaign to Save the Shrine galvanized support for preserving the historic building by running print and digital ads, launching an online petition signed by 2,250 people, producing an online video which reached over 70,000 people in the Chicagoland area, receiving coverage in over 60 news stories in as many days, and inspiring $650,000 in pledges made to Preservation Chicago for the Shrine. Save the Shrine received endorsements from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Landmarks Illinois, Preservation Chicago, the Northern Illinois Historic League, the Hyde Park Historical Society and four Woodlawn neighborhood organizations.
The campaign to Save the Shrine galvanized support for preserving the historic building by running print and digital ads, launching an online petition signed by 2,250 people, producing an online video which reached over 70,000 people in the Chicagoland area, receiving coverage in over 60 news stories in as many days, and inspiring $650,000 in pledges made to Preservation Chicago for the Shrine. Save the Shrine received endorsements from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Landmarks Illinois, Preservation Chicago, the Northern Illinois Historic League, the Hyde Park Historical Society and four Woodlawn neighborhood organizations.
Historic Preservation
Save the Shrine, in conjunction with the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, raising a combined total of $2.4 million to date for the restoration of the Shrine. The restoration efforts will be completed in three phases. The first phase of restoration includes protecting the Shrine from the elements and installing a new roof which is estimated to cost $3 million. Construction work began in May of 2016 and the steel trusses and new roof was completed in 2018. The second phase includes preparing the Shrine for occupancy. This includes installing electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, heating and fire protection. The third phase focuses on restoring the interior of the Shrine such as the altar, choir stands, etc. to show a perfect harmony of late Renaissance and early Baroque beauty.
Save the Shrine is working to share the Shrine with an ever-wider audience to increase appreciation for this Chicago Landmark and support for its restoration. Accepting donations through its fiscal sponsor Good City Chicago, Save the Shrine has donated $10,000/month to the Institute for the restoration in the early months of 2017. Currently, it has received two pledges in the tens of thousands whose donors hope to donate to the restoration after Save the Shrine has obtained its 501(c)3 status.
Save the Shrine, in conjunction with the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, raising a combined total of $2.4 million to date for the restoration of the Shrine. The restoration efforts will be completed in three phases. The first phase of restoration includes protecting the Shrine from the elements and installing a new roof which is estimated to cost $3 million. Construction work began in May of 2016 and the steel trusses and new roof was completed in 2018. The second phase includes preparing the Shrine for occupancy. This includes installing electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, heating and fire protection. The third phase focuses on restoring the interior of the Shrine such as the altar, choir stands, etc. to show a perfect harmony of late Renaissance and early Baroque beauty.
Save the Shrine is working to share the Shrine with an ever-wider audience to increase appreciation for this Chicago Landmark and support for its restoration. Accepting donations through its fiscal sponsor Good City Chicago, Save the Shrine has donated $10,000/month to the Institute for the restoration in the early months of 2017. Currently, it has received two pledges in the tens of thousands whose donors hope to donate to the restoration after Save the Shrine has obtained its 501(c)3 status.
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Community Engagement
Save the Shrine is the creative force in the Shrine’s life and nourishes the community that has formed in support of the Shrine's preservation, a community which includes but extends beyond the congregation. Save the Shrine opens the Shrine’s doors to school groups, community groups, Chicago residents and preservationist to admire the Shrine.
In October 2016 and 2017, over 1,600 people visited the Shrine during the annual architecture festival, Open House Chicago, making it one of the most visited sites outside the downtown area and the only hard-hat tour site. Open House Chicago is a free public festival that gives a behind the scenes look at hidden gems in Chicago.
The Chicago Cycling Club stopped by the Shrine on a tour of great South Side architecture. The group enjoyed the Shrine so much that the Cycling Club, in partnership with our friends at the Hyde Park Historical Society, arranged a more in-depth tour with a look at the interior. The sold-out tour came to #SeeTheShrine and learn more about the restoration work underway. The Chicago Cycling Club is a friendly, diverse group including a wide range of ages, ethnicities and professions who find common ground in a love of biking.
The Shrine served as a Field Study Site at the 2017 Past Forward conference. Past Forward is the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s annual conference. The conference is the premier educational and networking event for those in the business of saving places.
In the early fall, a north suburban school visited the Shrine with over 50 students and parents for their religion class. Students researched the history of the Shrine then toured the Shrine to unmask its beauty.
Save the Shrine is the creative force in the Shrine’s life and nourishes the community that has formed in support of the Shrine's preservation, a community which includes but extends beyond the congregation. Save the Shrine opens the Shrine’s doors to school groups, community groups, Chicago residents and preservationist to admire the Shrine.
In October 2016 and 2017, over 1,600 people visited the Shrine during the annual architecture festival, Open House Chicago, making it one of the most visited sites outside the downtown area and the only hard-hat tour site. Open House Chicago is a free public festival that gives a behind the scenes look at hidden gems in Chicago.
The Chicago Cycling Club stopped by the Shrine on a tour of great South Side architecture. The group enjoyed the Shrine so much that the Cycling Club, in partnership with our friends at the Hyde Park Historical Society, arranged a more in-depth tour with a look at the interior. The sold-out tour came to #SeeTheShrine and learn more about the restoration work underway. The Chicago Cycling Club is a friendly, diverse group including a wide range of ages, ethnicities and professions who find common ground in a love of biking.
The Shrine served as a Field Study Site at the 2017 Past Forward conference. Past Forward is the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s annual conference. The conference is the premier educational and networking event for those in the business of saving places.
In the early fall, a north suburban school visited the Shrine with over 50 students and parents for their religion class. Students researched the history of the Shrine then toured the Shrine to unmask its beauty.
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